GSMA Intelligence Report Highlights Digital Literacy Gap, Proposes Solutions for Global GDP Growth
A new report titled "Bridging the Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy in the AI Era," authored by GSMA Intelligence in collaboration with Huawei, reveals that over one in three people (38%) remain offline despite mobile broadband coverage, primarily due to a lack of digital literacy skills. This digital divide affects 3.1 billion people globally, stemming from shortages in digital skills, user trust, and AI literacy. The report, unveiled at UNESCO's Digital Learning Week, suggests that closing this capability gap could add approximately $3.5 trillion to global GDP by 2030, with the majority of these gains benefiting low- and middle-income countries. Artificial intelligence is identified as both a potential bridge and a barrier; AI-powered tools can assist low-literacy users, but they also elevate the need for understanding data privacy, fraud, and deepfakes. The research indicates that Generative AI literacy is the highest-value skill category, offering wage premiums up to 36%.
