Despite mobile broadband coverage reaching 96% of the world's population, 38% of people—approximately 3.1 billion—remain offline, primarily due to a lack of digital literacy skills, according to a new report titled "Bridging the Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy in the AI Era." Authored by GSMA Intelligence in collaboration with Huawei and released at UNESCO's Digital Learning Week in Paris, the research identifies digital skills, user trust, and AI literacy as the key barriers to internet usage.
The report estimates that closing this usage gap could add $3.5 trillion to global GDP by 2030, with more than 90% of those gains flowing to low- and middle-income countries. This underscores the economic imperative for stakeholders to address digital inclusion beyond physical infrastructure.
Artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and challenges. 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: users must understand data privacy and identify risks such as fraud and deepfakes. Without targeted interventions in basic digital training, rapid AI adoption risks entrenching existing inequalities, even in areas with full network coverage.
The research cites World Bank statistics that GenAI literacy carries the highest wage premium—up to 36%—far exceeding returns for traditional digital or AI skills. This highlights the economic value of equipping individuals with advanced digital competencies.
Community-based delivery models are critical. The report highlights Huawei's Skills on Wheels initiative, particularly its solar-powered DigiTruck mobile classrooms, which bring hardware, connectivity, and hands-on training, including AI literacy, to off-grid regions. Since 2019, these projects have reached over 130,000 people across 21 countries. A report by Kenya's Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy shows that 79% of DigiTruck trainees passed on their new skills to family and peers, demonstrating a multiplier effect.
To bridge the usage gap, the report urges policymakers, telecom operators, and technology vendors to focus on four priorities: treating practical AI awareness, online safety, and information verification as a baseline national qualification; adopting multilingual voice and conversational interfaces across 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, covering several cities in the Île-de-France region and targeting low-income and underserved communities with digital skills training.
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.
