July 19, 2025
In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), the question of how its development and deployment are governed is becoming more urgent. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has taken a strong position, advocating for AI to be treated not as a commodity for private gain, but as a public good—accessible, inclusive, and beneficial to all.
Stephanie King-Chung Hung, ADB’s Director-General for Information Technology and Digital Transformation (ITD), recently emphasized this message. According to her, recognizing AI as a public good is essential to ensure its benefits are equitably shared across society.
“If AI continues down a path of privatization, society runs the risk of exacerbating existing inequalities and creating new ones,” Hung cautioned.
Her concern reflects a growing fear that without responsible governance, AI could deepen divides—economic, social, and even geopolitical. AI systems, when concentrated in the hands of a few powerful private actors, could prioritize profit over public welfare, access, and ethical considerations.
The Case for AI as a Public Good
Treating AI as a public good involves ensuring that its development is guided by ethical principles, transparency, and public accountability. This means:
- Open Access and Fair Use: Public institutions, small businesses, educators, and underserved communities should have equal access to AI tools and resources.
- Bias and Safety Monitoring: AI systems must be regularly assessed for biases and unintended consequences, especially in critical areas like healthcare, education, and justice.
- Democratized Innovation: By removing monopolistic control, AI can become a platform for grassroots innovation and diverse cultural inputs.
Ethical Anchoring and Investment in Expertise
Hung stresses that ethics and investment go hand-in-hand. “By anchoring AI in ethical principles and investing in the necessary expertise, we can ensure it promotes equity, resilience, and progress,” she explains.
This includes:
- Training diverse talent to participate in AI development,
- Building regulatory frameworks to guide safe and fair use,
- Supporting public research initiatives in AI that prioritize societal good over profit.
Global Implications
The ADB’s stance aligns with a broader international dialogue that recognizes technology as a pivotal force in shaping humanity’s future. The World Economic Forum, UNESCO, and other global institutions have echoed similar concerns. If AI continues to evolve without inclusive oversight, its impact could mirror or worsen the inequality trends already seen in digital access and economic opportunity.
Conclusion
The road ahead for AI doesn’t have to mirror the patterns of past technological revolutions dominated by a few. Instead, AI offers a unique opportunity to reshape society in a more equitable, sustainable, and intelligent direction—if it is approached with care, inclusivity, and public responsibility.
By recognizing AI as a shared human asset, the world can unlock its vast potential for good while avoiding the trap of deepening digital divides. The call from ADB and Stephanie King-Chung Hung is clear: equity must be at the heart of AI’s evolution.