Sidra Rehman

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Sidra Rehman is a development economist whose research sits at the critical intersection of artificial intelligence, technological change, and global inequality. Her most notable work examines whether the AI revolution will exacerbate economic divergence between developed and developing nations — a question of profound importance for billions of people in the Global South. By modeling AI as a productivity-enhancing form of capital that substitutes broadly for labor, Rehman challenges optimistic assumptions about technology's universally equalizing potential, instead highlighting how automation could systematically disadvantage labor-abundant developing economies. Her landmark paper, "Will the AI Revolution Cause a Great Divergence?," has accumulated over 70 citations across multiple versions and publication years, reflecting its significant traction within development economics and technology policy communities. The work has resonated strongly with researchers grappling with how emerging technologies reshape comparative advantage and income distribution across countries at different stages of development. Rehman's contributions are particularly valuable for policymakers and scholars seeking rigorous frameworks to anticipate and mitigate the risks that rapid AI adoption poses to vulnerable economies, making her a compelling voice in contemporary debates about technology, labor markets, and sustainable global development.