OpenAI just released new research warning that even though AI technology is improving at a lightning pace, the world is struggling to keep up. The company calls this a “capability overhang.” This basically means there is a massive gap between what AI can actually do and what people, businesses, and governments are actually doing with it. If this gap persists, OpenAI fears a few countries will sprint ahead economically, leaving everyone else in the dust.
The study shows that the problem isn’t just about who can get their hands on the latest models. Instead, it is about how people use them. “Power users” already use AI for complex, multi-step projects, while most people still stick to simple, one-off questions. Interestingly, this divide doesn’t follow wealth. Some lower-income nations actually adopt advanced AI features faster than much richer countries. The real bottlenecks are things like infrastructure, technical skills, and how ready a country’s schools and offices are to change.
To bridge this gap, OpenAI is launching its “Education for Countries” program. The goal is to treat AI as a basic part of a nation’s infrastructure, just like roads or electricity. The initiative helps national school systems teach students essential AI skills and gives teachers the tools they need to guide responsible use. OpenAI has already signed up early partners in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caribbean.
OpenAI also announced new efforts alongside the World Economic Forum to help governments use AI for health, cybersecurity, and even disaster preparedness. Rather than using a “one size fits all” approach, the company plans to work with each government to build flexible frameworks that fit their specific needs. OpenAI argues that the only way to see real economic gains is for whole workforces to become fluent in the technology. While it’s hard to say if these partnerships can solve deep structural problems, the company believes early action is the only way to ensure more nations feel the tangible benefits of AI progress.
