Our Scans · (LF.10) Reduced Inequalities · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

• [New] In 2026, nearly one-third of surveyed philanthropy leaders plan to scale back racial equality initiatives, with reductions also planned for environmental justice and gender equality. The Conference Board
• [New] Unless poorer nations invest aggressively in education, local AI ecosystems, and regional cooperation, the AI revolution risks locking global inequality into code, making it harder than ever to escape. INDIA VIRAL HUB
• [New] Misinformation and deeply rooted concerns about social inequality, coupled with fears of losing mental autonomy through neurotechnology, are increasingly seen as policy questions to be addressed by researchers, policymakers, and diplomats globally. GESDA Global
• [New] AI could significantly impact nearly 40% of jobs worldwide, presenting both opportunities and risks for income growth and inequality. AdvisorAnalyst.com
• [New] Women are retiring with far smaller pensions than men because of pay inequalities and the fact they are shouldering the burden of care and the mental load, a study by the University of Edinburgh has warned. The Money Pages
• [New] Conflict and inequality pathways ... could expose more than 1.1 billion people - mostly in Africa and Asia - to at least one severe food crisis by century's end. Insurance Journal
• [New] AI could worsen societal inequality and unemployment if left unchecked, calling for government intervention to ensure everyone benefits from AI development. Built In
• [New] Projections using a machine-learning model, trained on historical socioeconomic and water-resources data, reveal the impact of inequality on water security and predict that, by 2100, 63% of the global population could face severe water scarcity. Nature
• [New] Warming beyond 1.5 °C will cause irreversible damage, displacement, and deepen global inequality. Reynold Sumayku
• [New] Projected employment growth for 2026: 0.5% in upper-middle-income countries; 1.8% in lower-middle-income economies; 3.1% in low-income countries; Weak labour productivity in poorer regions is widening global inequalities. Current Affairs - NEXT IAS
• [New] The AFB will establish a fund of $7 million per year to provide core support for national gender equality organizations working on advocacy, research, education, policy analysis, and legal reform to advance the rights of women and gender-diverse people. CCPA
• [New] From career growth to family life, Canada's global reputation is built on a strong foundation of safety, equality, and opportunity. ICC Immigration Inc
• [New] The vision of Thailand's WPS NAP is clear and ambitious: gender equality is a key driving force in preventing and resolving conflict and in addressing threats to human security, ultimately leading to sustainable peace and development. Peace News Network
• Economic inequality stands out as the most interconnected global risk for the second consecutive year. HRD Canada
• For corporate leaders, global inequality is no longer just a moral or reputational issue; it is a structural driver of cash flows, valuations and operating risk. CEOWORLD Magazine
• AI has the potential to benefit students in their education, but could also exacerbate inequality in educational outcomes, particularly for students from equity backgrounds. Mirage News
• AI revolution benefits (productivity gains, medical breakthroughs, educational tools) will accrue overwhelmingly in the global North, widening inequality rather than bridging it. Tomorrow Is Possible

Last updated: 02 February 2026