An Ayre Think Tank index estimates a US$360 billion difference in modeled economic gains between Commonwealth countries above and below its youth AI-readiness benchmark, highlighting the uneven outcomes its scenario projects.
Under the study’s middle scenario, 15 countries above the benchmark could see a combined US$389.2 billion increase in the level of their economies after 10 years, while the 41 below it could see US$29.2 billion. The difference is between readiness groups, not a direct comparison of national income groups. The Ayre report page describes the lower group’s total as an illustrative economic opportunity based on International Monetary Fund scenarios.
The Ayre Think Tank says the index covers conditions facing 732 million people ages 15 to 29 across the Commonwealth’s 56 member states and draws on 1,128 sources. It unveiled the index Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda.
The think tank ranked Singapore first, followed by Malta, Australia, Britain and Canada. Of the Commonwealth’s 21 African members, Mauritius, South Africa and Nigeria met the benchmark, it said.
The report points to differences between infrastructure and its use. In Togo, 4G coverage reaches almost the entire population, but fewer than half of young people report using the internet, the release says. It also reports that electricity reaches one-fifth of Malawi’s population.
The think tank says roughly nine in 10 young Nigerians surveyed anticipated using AI for work or education within a year. Nigeria scored 0.8 out of 10 on measures of conventional digital capability.
The think tank identifies affordable connectivity, skills, routes into employment and support for entrepreneurs as factors that could shape how widely AI’s benefits are shared. It says those conditions could affect whether AI supports new businesses and jobs or reinforces existing divides.
“AI is going to change how we work, how we do business and how wealth is created. Nobody can afford to be complacent,” said Calvin Ayre, founder of the think tank.
