WTO: AI to Boost Global Trade by Nearly 40%
The World Trade Organization, in its "World Trade Report 2025," stated that artificial intelligence could radically transform the global economy.
The WTO predicts that by 2040, the volume of global trade in goods and services will grow by 34% to 37%, and global gross domestic product will increase by 12% to 13%. The fastest growth is expected in digital services, including AI tools, which could see an increase of nearly 42%.
The organization noted that these forecasts depend on investments in digital infrastructure, open markets, and coordinated rules for data and knowledge exchange. According to the report, a 10% increase in digital services trade is linked to a 2.6% rise in cross-border AI patent citations. The WTO warns that fragmented regulations could slow development by limiting access to cloud services and training data sets.
The impact on the labor market, according to experts, will be moderate. Real wages are expected to increase for all worker groups, and the gap between high- and low-skilled employees will narrow by 3% to 4%. The number of jobs for low-skilled workers could grow by 3% to 4%, while positions for medium- and high-skilled professionals may increase by 1% to 2%.
The WTO also pointed out infrastructure challenges. Developed countries have announced large-scale plans for building data centers and AI systems, while less developed nations face a shortage of resources. Energy consumption remains a significant factor: large AI centers can use up to 100 megawatts, comparable to the annual needs of about 100,000 households.
