Page 101 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Broadband Commission Assesses AI and the Digital Divides

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to help
bring online the 2.6 billion people still not
connected to the Internet, according to
The State of Broadband 2024 from the
Broadband Commission for Sustainable
Development. The Broadband Commission
released the first part of the report at its
virtual Spring Meeting, which brought
together government leaders and heads
of international organizations alongside
representatives of private sector
companies, civil society and academia.
The report reviews how AI solutions
can accelerate progress on broadband
advocacy targets aimed at getting
everyone online and achieving the UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Emerging technology trends such as
artificial intelligence are anticipated to
add trillions to the global digital economy,"
said Rwanda's Minister of Information
Communication Technology and Innovation
Paula Ingabire. “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 stand to revolutionize the the International Telecommunication is responsible for people and the planet."
way decisions are taken and services Union (ITU), the UN Agency for Digital New Commissioners welcomed at the
are provided. The report highlights how Technologies. While overall Internet use Spring Meeting are Jessica Rosenworcel,
AI is already reshaping the delivery of is increasing, the benefits of access are Chairwoman, Federal Communications
traditional services for human well-being unevenly distributed, reinforcing persistent Commission (FCC), United States; Lew
in sectors such as government, education, digital divides affecting women and Chuen Hong, Chief Executive, Infocomm
healthcare and finance. "The use of people in countries with lower economic Media Development Authority (IMDA);
Artificial Intelligence is not new, but recent development. The elderly and people with Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General, Digital
advancements in data, computing power, disabilities are among other groups being Cooperation Organization (DCO); Olayan
and algorithms are driving innovative left behind. “Broadband is fundamental Alwetaid, CEO, stc Group; Abel Avellan,
services," said Carlos Slim, Founder and to ensure that everyone can benefit from Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, AST
President of Grupo Carso, Co-Chair of the digital technologies when so many people SpaceMobile; Mark Dankberg, Chairman
Commission. "The rapid development of are still offline around the world," said and CEO, ViaSat; Shameel Joosub, CEO
Generative AI highlights its potential for ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan- and Executive Director, Vodacom Group
original content and new applications. We Martin, Co-Vice Chair of the Commission. Limited; Young Shub Kim, President and
must redesign talent and retrain workers in “AI and other emerging technologies CEO, KT Corporation; and Isabelle Mauro,
digital skills to maximize these benefits." can help efforts to achieve universal Director General, Global Satellite Operators
An estimated 2.6 billion people around meaningful connectivity, and it's our job Association (GSOA).
the world remain offline, according to to make sure this happens in a way that

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