Tools and Weapons with Brad Smith Special Edition: Key findings from the Microsoft AI Diffusion Report
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Jan 8, 2026 
In this discussion, Juan Lavista Ferres, the Director and Chief Data Scientist at Microsoft's AI for Good Lab, explores critical insights from the latest AI Diffusion Report. He reveals how generative AI's benefits are unevenly distributed, highlighting a stark gap between the Global North and South. The UAE and Singapore emerge as leaders in adoption, propelled by government support. Juan emphasizes the importance of skilling for AI growth, discusses China's DeepSeek model, and examines future trends and necessary policies for equitable tech diffusion.
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AI In Rainforests And Eye Care
- Juan described rainforest devices using AI on audio and video to measure biodiversity and support conservationists.
- He also highlighted AI screening tools addressing a leading cause of blindness where ophthalmologists are scarce.
North–South Usage Gap
- The global north is near 25% generative AI usage while the global south is under 15%.
- At current rates the north could be roughly twice the south within about a year.
UAE's Government-Led Adoption
- Brad and Juan visited the UAE and saw government-led AI projects such as an Abu Dhabi command center optimizing ambulance routing.
- They observed strong public trust and positive messaging about AI's productivity benefits.