| Santo Domingo . Nearly seven out of ten people in the Dominican Republic (68.9%) report using Artificial Intelligence (AI) more than once a week, according to new research published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Dominican Republic and the UNDP Human Development Report Office (HDRO). The study reveals that Dominicans are realistic yet deeply optimistic about the transformation AI can bring to their lives and the economy. The national analysis found that 66% of respondents confirmed that AI has helped them solve problems in their studies or improve productivity at work. Most significantly, while 67.4% of respondents believe that jobs could be replaced by AI in the near future, an even larger proportion (73.3%) believe that learning more about artificial intelligence could help them find new job opportunities. This optimism increases with the level of education, as 82.0% of respondents with a university education expressed this positive view. “The findings in the Dominican Republic show a population that actively interacts with AI and perceives it as a path to new opportunities, rather than a threat,” stated Ana Maria Díaz, UNDP Resident Representative in the country. She elaborated: “When interviewing students about their future career prospects, we found that 42.9% are inclined to study STEM fields. This suggests a promising development of national capacities to enhance the use of AI, better prepare for the rapid transformation of labor markets, and take advantage of global opportunities.” Practical Applications Drive Use The study shows that Dominicans use AI to solve specific and practical problems beyond entertainment. Its use spans multiple areas: 47.4% for studies, 37.3% as a work tool, 33.6% to access public services in education and health, and 31.3% for financial services. Among public servants in the Dominican Republic, 67.1% use AI more than once a week. Addressing the Gender Gap in AI: National data highlight important areas for policy focus, particularly regarding gender disparities. While 38.6% of men and 35.7% of women reported using AI for work purposes, women (50.6%) make greater use of educational and vocational training platforms than men (42.3%). However , a significant gender gap emerges when it comes to future STEM education: 52.7% of men surveyed expressed interest in STEM careers, compared to only 34.8% of women surveyed. This disparity underscores the need for targeted interventions to ensure women can fully participate in AI-related opportunities. Part of a global pattern of optimism, the findings in the Dominican Republic align with the results of the UNDP Global Survey on AI and Human Development, which surveyed more than 21,000 people in 21 countries between November 2024 and January 2025. Globally, one in five people already use AI, and two-thirds anticipate using it within the next year. Six out of ten people worldwide expect AI to have a positive impact on their employment. “The global average shows that six out of ten people expect AI to positively impact their employment, creating opportunities in jobs that may not yet exist,” said Pedro Conceição, Director of the Human Development Report Office. “This tells us that the world has a great responsibility to meet this expectation, rather than designing and deploying AI that works against people,” he said. Low- and middle-income countries show particularly high hopes for AI, with 70% of respondents expecting AI to improve their productivity. This contrasts with wealthier countries, where 40% of people anticipate the possibility of being replaced by AI in their jobs. Public policy recommendations : To effectively respond to people's expectations and harness this momentum for human development, UNDP proposes three critical areas for policy action: – Building an economy where people collaborate with AI rather than compete against it. – Incorporating human agency throughout the AI lifecycle, from design to implementation. – Modernizing education and health systems to meet the demands of the 21st century. UNDP's efforts build on the momentum of its 2025 Human Development Report, “A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI.” |
How are Dominicans using AI? A UNDP study reveals the answer
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