Agentic Inequality

TL;DR

This paper defines agentic inequality as disparities in power, opportunity, and outcomes arising from access to and capabilities of autonomous AI agents. It proposes a three-dimensional framework—availability, quality, and quantity—to analyze how these dimensions shape economic and socio-political outcomes, and it discusses the drivers and governance challenges that could amplify or mitigate the effects. The authors outline a forward-looking research agenda spanning empirical measurement, normative fairness, technical interoperability, public-service models, and adaptive regulation to steer agent development toward more equitable outcomes. The work highlights both the risks of consolidation by powerful actors and the potential for agents to serve as broad-based enablers, arguing for proactive, multidisciplinary governance to maximize societal benefit.

Abstract

Autonomous AI agents, capable of complex planning and action, represent a significant technological evolution beyond current generative tools. As these systems become integrated into political and economic life, their distribution and capabilities will be highly consequential. This paper introduces and explores "agentic inequality" - the potential disparities in power, opportunity, and outcomes stemming from differential access to, and capabilities of, AI agents. We analyse the dual potential of this technology, exploring how agents could both exacerbate existing divides and, under the right conditions, serve as a powerful equalising force. To this end, the paper makes three primary contributions. First, it establishes an analytical framework by delineating the three core dimensions through which this inequality can manifest: disparities in the availability, quality, and quantity of agents. Second, it argues that agentic inequality is distinct from prior technological divides. Unlike tools that primarily augment human abilities, agents act as autonomous delegates, creating novel power asymmetries through scalable goal delegation and direct agent-to-agent competition that are poised to reshape outcomes across economic and socio-political spheres. Finally, it provides a systematic analysis of the technical and socioeconomic drivers - from model release strategies to market incentives - that will shape the distribution of agentic power, concluding with a research agenda for navigating the complex governance challenges ahead.