Many are starving, but they are decreasing. I read once extreme poverty was reduced by a half (as a percentage) in the last couple of decades. As long as people get their basic needs they are fine. Transition does not occur from extreme poverty to the "privileged" class instantaneously. Efforts continue to eradicate poverty, and it is possible. The problem is more political than technological. We have 1 billion people in extreme poverty now, but the majority (5/7 %) are around the mean, who have things that the richest of the 19th century and for the most part of the 20th century didn't have, like access to health care and vaccines, cars, TVs, cellphones, ... etc. This what counts statistically speaking.

I would suggest to watch for Hans Rosling a renowned Swedish statistician.