Despite mobile broadband coverage reaching 96% of the world's population, 3.1 billion people remain offline, primarily due to a lack of digital literacy skills, according to a new report released at UNESCO's Digital Learning Week. The report, titled "Bridging the Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy in the AI Era," was authored by GSMA Intelligence in collaboration with Huawei. It identifies the digital divide as a critical issue that, if addressed, could unlock significant economic growth.
The research estimates that closing the usage gap could boost global GDP by $3.5 trillion from 2023 to 2030, with more than 90% of those gains flowing to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This underscores the potential for digital inclusion to drive economic development and reduce inequalities. The report emphasizes that physical network coverage alone is insufficient; capabilities, system design, and trust must evolve together to capture this multi-trillion-dollar opportunity.
Artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and challenges in bridging this divide. AI-powered voice assistants and applications that process images, audio, and video can help low-literacy users bypass text input, making technology more accessible. However, the report warns that AI also raises the bar for security and critical thinking, requiring users to understand data privacy and identify risks such as fraud and deepfakes. Without targeted interventions, rapid AI adoption risks entrenching existing inequalities, even in areas with full network coverage.
The report cites World Bank statistics showing that generative AI literacy carries the highest wage premium, up to 36%, far exceeding returns for basic digital or traditional AI skills. This highlights the economic imperative for equipping individuals with advanced digital competencies.
To address these challenges, the report advocates for community-based delivery models, citing Huawei's Skills on Wheels initiative as a successful example. The initiative's solar-powered DigiTruck mobile classrooms bring hardware, connectivity, and hands-on training, including AI literacy, to off-grid regions. Since 2019, these programs have reached over 130,000 people across 21 countries. A report by Kenya's Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy found that 79% of DigiTruck trainees passed on their new skills to family and peers, demonstrating a multiplier effect.
The report urges policymakers, telecom operators, and technology vendors to collaborate on four priorities: treating practical AI awareness, online safety, and information verification as a baseline national qualification; adopting multilingual voice and conversational interfaces in public services; scaling up mobile learning units through cross-sector partnerships; and measuring performance by independent task completion and fraud resilience rather than trainee numbers.
"Digital literacy can no longer be defined by static thresholds," said Tim Hatt, head of research and consultancy at GSMA Intelligence. "Connectivity alone is insufficient — capabilities, system design and trust must evolve together. To capture this multi-trillion-dollar opportunity, stakeholders must integrate layered AI literacy directly into daily livelihoods through trusted community channels."
Gavin Allen, Executive Editor-in-Chief at Huawei, added, "Mobile classrooms have demonstrated immense value in helping underserved populations break through physical and psychological barriers to technology. We will continue working alongside local governments and industry partners to drive digital literacy, ensuring that no one is left behind as we transition into the AI economy."
A new DigiTruck program will launch in France this autumn, targeting low-income and underserved communities in several cities across the Île-de-France region. The full report is available on the GSMA Intelligence research portal: https://www.gsmaintelligence.com/research/bridging-the-divide-enhancing-digital-literacy-in-the-ai-era.
