The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development will bank on Artificial intelligence (AI) to help bring online the 2.6 billion people still not connected to the Internet.

     
In its The State of Broadband 2024 report, the Broadband Commission reviewed how AI solutions can accelerate progress on broadband advocacy targets aimed at getting everyone online and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
    
Checks through the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) showed that of the world’s eight billion people, some 5.4 billion are now online.
     
But Rwanda’s Minister of Information Communication Technology and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, in the broadband report, said: “Emerging technology trends such as artificial intelligence are anticipated to add trillions to the global digital economy.
   
“The ability to harness artificial intelligence to revolutionize access to broadband and other services as well as boost productivity for different sectors will require massive investments in the building blocks including power, connectivity and computing resources, particularly in emerging economies.”
    
According to The State of Broadband 2024: Leveraging AI for Universal Connectivity, emerging technologies could revolutionise the way decisions are taken, and services are provided.
    
The report highlighted how AI is already reshaping the delivery of traditional services for human well-being in sectors such as government, education, healthcare and finance.
    
The analysis also identified challenges associated with AI and other emerging technologies. These include energy consumption, misinformation, reinforcement of biases and gender discrimination.
     
Founder and President of Grupo Carso, Co-chair of the Commission, Carlos Slim, said the use of AI is not new, but recent advancements in data, computing power, and algorithms are driving innovative services.
    
“The rapid development of Generative AI highlights its potential for original content and new applications. We must redesign talent and retrain workers in digital skills to maximize these benefits,” he stated.
     
ITU, who stressed that an estimated 2.6 billion people around the world remain offline, noted that while overall Internet use is increasing, the benefits of access are unevenly distributed, reinforcing persistent digital divides affecting women and people in countries with lower economic development.
    
It stressed that the elderly and people with disabilities are among other groups being left behind. ITU Secretary-General and Co-Vice Chair of the Commission, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said: “Broadband is fundamental to ensure that everyone can benefit from digital technologies when so many people are still offline around the world.
    
“AI and other emerging technologies can help efforts to achieve universal meaningful connectivity and it’s our job to make sure this happens in a way that is responsible for people and the planet.”
    
MEANWHILE, the Broadband Commission said it reviewed progress on its 2025 Advocacy Targets, comprising seven objectives for action in broadband development and universal connectivity. It noted that one target for mobile broadband affordability is close to being achieved.

According to the commission, the target for gender equality in access to broadband has been achieved for some countries, although not globally.
    
The Commission noted that AI and emerging technologies can drive progress on broadband and the SDGs. However, balancing the promotion of AI benefits while managing the challenges is a key task for policymakers who are “racing to catch up” to the implications of the technologies.
    
UNESCO Director-General and Co-Vice Chair of the Commission, Audrey Azoulay, said: “Having two-thirds of the world’s population now online is a cause for celebration. But with only half as many connected in least-developed countries and even less among women, the new report shows the urgent work still to be done.
    
“We must also address the risks faced by those online, through better governance of digital platforms, ethical use of AI and massive upscaling in digital skills, including media and information literacy.”