Digital literacy gap could unlock $3.5 trillion in global GDP

A new report titled ‘Bridging the Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy in the AI Era’, produced by GSMA Intelligence in collaboration with Huawei, suggests that closing the global digital literacy gap could add an estimated US$3.5 trillion to global GDP by 2030. While mobile broadband coverage reaches 96% of the global population, approximately 3.1 billion people remain offline or unable to utilize connectivity due to a lack of digital skills, user trust, and AI literacy.

The research indicates that more than 90% of the potential economic gains from closing this capability gap could benefit low- and middle-income countries. The report highlights that generative AI literacy offers significant economic value, with World Bank data suggesting associated wage premiums of up to 36%.

Artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and risks. AI-powered voice and visual assistants may help users with limited literacy bypass text-based barriers, but rapid adoption also necessitates improved understanding of data privacy, online safety, fraud, and deepfakes. Without targeted interventions, such as community-based training and mobile classrooms, AI adoption risks deepening existing global inequalities.