AI boom risks widening divide between rich and poor nations as major study from Ayre Think Tank reveals $360 billion divide

ST JOHN'S, Antigua and Barbuda, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial intelligence risks deepening the gap between rich and poorer nations, with a new study calculating a $360 billion difference in potential economic gains between the Commonwealth countries best prepared for the technology and those lagging behind.

The Ayre Index, unveiled at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, examined conditions facing 732 million people aged 15 to 29 across all 56 member states.

Only 15 countries met its benchmark for youth AI readiness. Those nations could see a combined $389.2 billion increase in the level of their economies after 10 years under the study's middle scenario, compared with $29.2 billion across the other 41 countries.

The $360 billion gap is twice the size of the $174 billion in development aid given by the world's major donor countries last year.

Singapore topped the rankings, followed by Malta, Australia, Britain and Canada. Malawi and Lesotho finished last. Only Mauritius, South Africa and Nigeria among the Commonwealth's 21 African members reached the readiness benchmark.

The research suggests that installing networks does not automatically create opportunity. In Togo, 4G coverage reaches almost everyone, yet fewer than half of young people report using the internet. In Malawi, electricity reaches a fifth of the population.

There are gaps even where enthusiasm is high. About 90% of young Nigerians surveyed expected to use AI for work or education within a year, but Nigeria scored just 0.8 out of 10 on measures of conventional digital capability.

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Calvin Ayre, the founder of the think tank behind the index, said: "AI is going to change how we work, how we do business and how wealth is created. Nobody can afford to be complacent." Governments, he said, must give young people the skills and opportunities to succeed.

Even meeting the benchmark is no guarantee of work: South Africa qualified, but unemployment stood at 46.3% among its young labour force.

The study drew on 1,128 sources but also exposed how little comparable evidence exists about young people's actual AI capabilities in some countries.

Its central warning is that access alone is insufficient. Skills, affordable connectivity, routes into employment and support for entrepreneurs will determine whether AI creates new businesses and better jobs – or reinforces existing economic divides.

More at: https://calvinayre.com/for-progress-think-tank.

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AI boom risks widening divide between rich and poor nations as major study from Ayre Think Tank reveals $360 billion divide

BEIJING, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Xifeng Liquor, one of the famous Chinese consumer brands, has broken through the boundaries of traditional manufacturing, and promoted the deep integration of baijiu brewing with brand communication, cultural tourism experiences, commerce, trade and other modern services, in an effort to enhance brand influence, Zhang Zheng, chairman of Shaanxi Xifeng Liquor Co., Ltd., said at a consumer brands-themed event.

Zhang made the remarks at the Famous Consumer Brands Achievement Fair, which was held in Baoji City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province on November 4. 

More than 160 people attended the event with participants discussing paths for the deep integration of advanced manufacturing and modern services, and exploring ways to cultivate competitive specialty industries and build high-quality consumer brands in regions participating in Belt and Road cooperation.

According to Zhang, Xifeng Liquor has completed trademark registration in 20 countries and regions, with products sold to more than 30 countries and regions across five continents.

Xifeng Liquor has been passed down for thousands of years without interruption and is a typical representative of China's historically and culturally renowned baijiu. 

"A consumer product that stands the test of time must both preserve the essence of its craft and uphold the bottom line of quality," said Zhang. 

On November 4, the consumer brand exhibition attracted the attention of the attendees. At Xifeng Liquor's booth, products including Red Xifeng and the classic red-cap green-bottle series were neatly displayed, forming a complete product matrix that blends traditional aesthetics with modern taste. 

From the inheritance of brewing techniques to innovation in liquor-tourism formats, Xifeng Liquor has forged a path of industrial integration that is "grounded in manufacturing and empowered by modern services." 

Xifeng Liquor's practice shows that the core of deep two-industry integration for traditional manufacturers lies in completing a strategic shift from "production-oriented" to "consumer-oriented." Only by consolidating product strength through advanced manufacturing, expanding new consumption scenarios through modern services and building bonds of emotional recognition through culture can a time-honored brand gain new vitality amid the tide of the times. 

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/352838.html

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Xinhua Silk Road: Xifeng Liquor promotes integration of baijiu brewing with modern services for brand upgrading