A new report from GSMA Intelligence, produced in collaboration with Huawei and released at UNESCO's Digital Learning Week, reveals that the primary barrier to internet adoption is not network coverage but a lack of digital literacy. According to the research, 38% of the world's population—3.1 billion people—remain offline despite living in areas covered by mobile broadband. With physical coverage reaching 96% of the global population, the findings shift the focus from infrastructure deployment to human capability building.
The report, titled "Bridging the Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy in the AI Era," warns that artificial intelligence could exacerbate existing inequalities if not accompanied by targeted digital skills training. While AI-powered tools such as voice assistants and image-based applications can help low-literacy users bypass text input, they also raise the bar for security awareness and critical thinking. Users must now understand data privacy, identify fraud, and detect deepfakes—skills that are not universally taught.
The economic stakes are enormous. Existing industry projections suggest that closing the digital skills gap could add $3.5 trillion to global GDP by 2030, with more than 90% of those gains benefiting low- and middle-income countries. The report cites World Bank statistics showing that generative AI literacy commands the highest wage premium, up to 36%, far exceeding returns for basic digital or traditional AI skills. Without intervention, the authors caution, rapid AI adoption risks entrenching inequality even in fully covered regions.
To address these challenges, the report highlights community-based delivery models, citing Huawei's Skills on Wheels initiative as a field-tested example. The program's solar-powered DigiTruck mobile classrooms 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 study 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 treat AI literacy as core infrastructure. It outlines four priorities: integrating practical AI awareness, online safety, and information verification into national qualification frameworks; adopting multilingual voice and conversational interfaces in public services; scaling mobile learning units through cross-sector partnerships; and measuring success 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.
