El Niño and AI Will Widen Asia's Wealth Gap, ADB Warns — 450,000 Deaths Feared

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is warning that El Niño and artificial intelligence (AI) will deepen the economic divide in developing Asia, slowing growth in poorer countries while richer ones pull ahead [248332]. The bank's report comes as scientists say the current El Niño — a climate pattern driven by unusually warm ocean water in the tropical Pacific — could become one of the strongest on record, threatening hundreds of millions of people with extreme heat, heavy rain and food shortages at the same time [244110].

El Niño damages crops and disrupts farming, which many developing Asian economies depend on, while poorer countries often lack the money, skills and infrastructure to use AI, which is changing how companies work [248332]. The ADB urges governments to invest in education, technology and climate protection to close the gap [248332].

The human cost could be severe. A new report estimates that more than 450,000 people could die from increased heat over the next six months, with the weather pattern potentially lasting until February [248216].

The ADB also warns that rising conflict in several regions is adding pressure, as war and instability can slow trade, scare off investors and push up the cost of basic goods [247876]. The combined risks could weaken growth in developing countries across Asia and the Pacific [247876].

Scientists say El Niño is almost certain to reach very strong intensity late this year and continue into 2027, developing alongside human-caused climate change, which makes its effects worse [244110]. From Sri Lanka to South Korea, governments are preparing for droughts, wildfires, typhoons and floods, with climate plans facing their biggest test yet [244110].