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AI & global progress vs no access to the basic internet

AI & global progress vs no access to the basic internet
AI & global progress vs no access to the basic internet | Photo: Markus Spiske

The digital age has redefined progress, positioning internet access as a pivotal tool for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. The 19th UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF), held in Riyadh in July 2025, underscored this reality, spotlighting how connectivity fuels economic growth, education, and healthcare while highlighting persistent digital divides that threaten equitable progress. With over 5.4 billion people online by mid-2022, roughly 63% of the global population, significant strides have been made.


Yet, 2.6 billion people, primarily in low-income and rural regions, remain offline, excluded from the benefits of a connected world. Addressing this divide is not merely a technical challenge; it is a moral and economic imperative to ensure sustainable development leaves no one behind.


Persistent digital divides: A barrier to progress


Despite global advances, disparities in internet connectivity remain stark. In least developed countries (LDCs), only 36% of the population had internet access in 2022, compared to 92% in high-income nations. Rural areas, where infrastructure costs are high and economic incentives low, face the greatest hurdles. For instance, in sub-Saharan Africa, over half the population lacks electricity, let alone reliable broadband. These gaps limit the transformative potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs), which directly support 70% of SDG targets, from poverty reduction (SDG 1) to quality education (SDG 4). Data gaps further complicate efforts to monitor progress, as noted by the UN Data Revolution Group, leaving policymakers without clear metrics to guide digital inclusion strategies.


The affordability of connectivity compounds the issue. The UN Broadband Commission’s 2025 target stipulates that entry-level broadband should cost less than 2% of monthly gross national income (GNI) per capita. Yet, in many LDCs, costs far exceed this threshold, rendering access unattainable for millions. Without affordable, reliable infrastructure, the promise of digital transformation, enabling e-governance, online learning, and telehealth, remains elusive, perpetuating cycles of exclusion and inequality.


Partner2Connect: forging global solutions


The International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Partner2Connect Digital Coalition exemplifies a concerted effort to bridge these divides. Launched to foster public-private partnerships, the initiative has secured over USD 52 billion in pledges by July 2025, aiming for USD 100 billion by 2026. These commitments focus on expanding broadband in underserved regions, empowering communities through digital literacy, and building resilient digital ecosystems. For example, Nigeria’s NIGCOMSAT has pledged to connect 774 local government secretariats, enhancing access to e-government services. Such initiatives align with SDG 9’s call for sustainable infrastructure and demonstrate how collaborative investment can catalyse progress across multiple SDGs, including gender equality (SDG 5) and decent work (SDG 8).

 

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Local innovation: Bangladesh’s digital hubs


While global initiatives garner attention, grassroots efforts often go unnoticed yet hold immense potential. In rural Bangladesh, community-driven digital hubs are transforming lives by providing internet access and digital literacy training to women and youth. These hubs, often supported by local NGOs and international partners like the UNDP, offer training in basic computing, online banking, and e-commerce. By equipping marginalised groups with skills, they advance quality education (SDG 4) and economic empowerment (SDG 8). For instance, a 2021 UNDP report highlighted how these hubs enabled women in Bangladesh to access online markets, boosting household incomes by up to 20%. Such scalable, community-led models deserve greater recognition and investment to replicate their success globally.


AI and data analytics, the next frontier


Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics are reshaping development strategies. The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) advocates for data-driven approaches to address digital divides, such as using AI to optimise broadband deployment in remote areas. At the IGF 2025, discussions highlighted AI’s potential to accelerate progress on up to 70% of SDG targets, from real-time disaster response to climate modelling. However, risks loom large: only 5% of AI innovators in Africa have access to adequate computing power, raising concerns about an AI divide exacerbating existing inequalities. Inclusive governance, as proposed by the Hamburg Declaration on AI and SDGs, is critical to ensuring these technologies serve the global south equitably.


The path to universal connectivity demands a multi-faceted approach: investment in resilient infrastructure, affordable access, and robust digital skills programmes. Policymakers, private sectors, and civil society must collaborate to ensure digital inclusion becomes a reality, not a privilege.


The stakes are high, failure to bridge the digital divide risks leaving billions excluded from the benefits of sustainable development. For those eager to delve deeper, explore the ITU’s Partner2Connect Digital Coalition (https://www.itu.int/partner2connect) or the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (https://www.unsdsn.org) for insights into global efforts. By prioritising connectivity, the world can unlock the full potential of ICTs to build a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future.

 

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