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] Beyond annual risk, the cumulative exposure is staggering: more than 1.16 billion people experience at least one famine crisis this century under the inequality pathway, whereas the sustainability pathway could spare about 780 million by 2099. Joint Research Centre
• [New] The Doha Political Declaration emphasizes embedding social objectives within macroeconomic, labour, climate, digital, and industrial strategies, recognizing that fragmented policy approaches risk deepening structural inequalities rather than resolving them. ArchDaily
• [New] While AI is projected to boost global economic growth and create new roles, its impact is uneven, exacerbating existing inequalities and creating a critical skills gap. Whalesbook
• [New] Microsoft says it is on track to invest $50 billion by the end of the decade to help bring artificial intelligence to lower-income countries, as concerns mount over the technology's potential to deepen inequality. CNN
• [New] There are a number of societal benefits, including increased accessibility to education and healthcare through individualized learning and diagnoses, which have the potential to reduce inequality and increase global productivity. GovCon Wire
• [New] The United Nations estimates that if current trends hold, gender equality in the highest positions of government will not be reached for another 130 years. CFR Education from the Council on Foreign Relations
• [New] As fossil fuel-driven floods, storms and hurricanes hit more and more countries, and inequality widens as the world approaches its first trillionaire, negotiators are starting to wake up to the huge opportunity. Greenpeace International
• [New] Global inequality remains a significant issue in 2026, with 17% of faculty considering it a top threat and 31% identifying it as a key opportunity area for business. forbesindia
• [New] Threats to social policy materialised, with reduced access to EU funds like the European Social Fund, worsening inequalities. GOOD STRATEGY
• [New] AI could reinforce existing global inequalities because wealthy nations have the computing power. The Huntington News
• At a time when conversations around AI are often dominated by concerns about job displacement, security risks, and technological inequality, New Delhi is positioning itself as a country that wants to steer global AI governance toward a more inclusive and sustainable model. Economic Times
• The importance of the LDAN Bill in tackling the inequalities faced by individuals and their families cannot be overstated, and it has the potential to make a real difference for them in Scotland across education, healthcare, and employment. JohnOGroat Journal
• Employers will need to create action plans for gender equality and menopause which will be voluntary until some time in 2027. Small Business UK
• Concerns centred on the risk that AI could deepen global inequality if access to computing, data, power, and financing remains uneven. Digital Watch Observatory
• As the Employment Rights Bill heralds major legislative changes, equality, diversity and inclusion will be critical business drivers in 2026. Champions Speakers
• Legislative work, engagement with the UN on policy development, gender equality, youth engagement, leadership renewal and inter-cooperative collaboration will remain priorities, alongside continued support for cooperatives operating in fragile or crisis-affected contexts. ICA
• Kenyans are already experiencing, or are imminently threatened with, violations of constitutional rights, including the rights to privacy, equality, dignity, freedom from discrimination and fair administrative action, as a result of unregulated AI deployment. iAfrica.com
• Uneven access to AI-enhanced learning could widen inequality, even as productivity improves. Mexico Business

Last updated: 02 March 2026