The artificial intelligence (AI) can become a key engine of international trade, but only if appropriate policies are implemented to guarantee equitable access. This is one of the main conclusions of the 2025 World Trade Report, published by the World Trade Organization (WTO), which projects that the global flows of goods and services could grow up to 40% by 2040 if the economies manage to close their digital gaps.
The report warns that the unequal adoption of AI technologies, added to Growing commercial restrictionscould increase the concentration of benefits in high -income countries. Between 2012 and 2024, the restrictions applied to goods related to AI increased from 130 to almost 500, especially in developed economies.
Highlights that in 2023 The trade of enabling goods of AIsuch as semiconductors, critical raw materials and intermediate software, amounted to 2.3 billion dollars. However, access to these goods remains limited to many low -income countries, where tariffs exceed 45% in some cases.
“AI has enormous potential for reduce trade costs and increase productivity. However, access is still very unequal, ”said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, general director of the WTOduring the launch of the report.
Expectations
The report addresses Interrelationships between trade, development and technological governance. States that international trade can facilitate the inclusive adoption of AI, Whenever countries invest in human capital, they reduce tariff barriers and actively participate in multilateral agreements such as the Agreement on Information Technology (ITA) and the General Agreement on the Service Trade (AGCS).
Analyze future scenarios: if Low and medium income economies reduce their digital gap by 50% With advanced economies, they could obtain increases of up to 15% in their national income.
However, without coordinated action, AI could expand economic inequalities both between countries and within them. The WTO indicates that its role will be key in the Design of commercial policies that avoid regulatory fragmentation and promote affordable access to emerging technologies.
