Closing the digital divide would generate .5 trillion

The report states that 38% of people covered by high-speed mobile networks are not connected, which amounts to approximately 3.1 billion people. Coverage reaches 96% of the world's population. The obstacles therefore lie in digital skills and tool usage.

According to the report, reducing this gap could increase GDP by around .5 trillion. More than 90% of these gains would benefit low- or middle-income countries. Voice assistants and AI-based tools could make digital services more accessible, but they also create data protection risks.

The report highlights that according to the World Bank, skills related to generative AI are among the most valued in the job market with a wage gap of up to 36%. The authors recommend that governments and businesses strengthen online security training and information verification.

Since 2019, Huawei has trained over 130,000 people in 21 countries through its DigiTruck program. A new initiative is set to launch in France this autumn.