Page 27 - Connecting the Future How Connectivity and AI Unlock New Potential

Connecting the Future: How Connectivity and AI Unlock New Potential

3�1�2 Addressing the Digital Divide

AI adoption in developing regions has the potential to significantly boost GDP and job creation.
According to PwC, AI could contribute USD 15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. A portion
77
of this growth will stem from developing nations that successfully implement AI and improve
connectivity:
While AI automates some roles, it also creates new demand for AI specialists, data
scientists, and cybersecurity professionals. The AI job market in India, for example,
has seen a 42% increase in AI-related job openings over the last two years. 78
Studies have found that AI-driven automation in agriculture and manufacturing
increases efficiency and lowers production costs. 79

In Rwanda, AI-enabled healthcare chatbots assist in diagnosing diseases and
providing medical advice, reaching over 2 million people in remote areas where
medical facilities are scarce. 80

Similarly, AI-powered disaster response systems in Indonesia have enhanced early
warning capabilities, successfully detecting early signs before the arrival of stronger
seismic waves and thus providing up to 75 seconds of warning time. This advance
allowed for timely alerts and has the potential to reduced significant casualties. 81
AI is also driving multiplying financial successes by enabling microloans for small
businesses. In parts of Southeast Asia, AI-driven financial services have helped
boost revenues – surging by 35% between 2022 and 2024, reaching US$22 billion
and accounting for 65% of all digital financial services (DFS) revenue in the region. 82

3�1�3 Workforce and Digital Skills Development

Leveraging AI’s benefits requires more than connectivity access. Scaling AI also requires a skilled
workforce adept at creating, managing, and collaborating with novel applications. The rapid prolif-
eration of AI has upended the structure and operation of workplaces in economies around the
world, with about 60% of jobs in advanced economies exposed to AI. While that number falls to
83
40% in emerging markets and 26% in low-income economies, these groups are more vulnerable
to exacerbated digital divides if not upskilled or reskilled to harness the technology. These popu-
lations broadly have lower digital literacy rates and fewer opportunities to build skills necessary to
leverage AI applications in their work. 84

21