Page 6 - Connecting the Future How Connectivity and AI Unlock New Potential

Policy Recommendations

1 Promote adoption of AI for network and spectrum management.
Incentivize AI-driven energy and performance optimization for ISPs
2 and cloud providers.

Promote adoption of AI-powered technologies to facilitate effective patch and update
3
management.

4 Build cybersecurity frameworks aligned with AI-integrated architectures, including
zero-trust models and privacy-by-design standards.

Leverage AI-enabled defenses to isolate, segment, and protect unpatched systems
5 until updates or replacements can be applied.

Promote use of privacy-by-design standards for privacy-enhancing technologies
6
(PETs), including de-identification and aggregation techniques for AI systems.

3 Closing the Digital Divide with AI

Chapter 3 focuses on the developmental opportunities and challenges of AI. AI can help close
global gaps in education, healthcare, agriculture, and financial services. However, without digital
access, underserved populations will be locked out of these benefits. Through case studies (e.g.,
Rwanda’s healthcare chatbots, India’s AI-powered telecom microgrids, and the UNICEF/ITU Giga
initiative’s school connectivity programs), this chapter underscores that targeted connectivity and
AI initiatives can drive measurable social and economic gains.

Policy Recommendations

Governments: Streamline infrastructure licensing; expand spectrum availability;
1 support trustworthy and secure technology deployment.

2 Private Sector: Lead infrastructure investment and scale AI literacy programs.

3 Public-Private Partnerships: Prioritize affordability and shared-use infrastructure.
International Organizations: Offer funding and data-driven diagnostics to guide last-
4
mile investments and standards alignment.

5 Civil Society: Conduct research and support regional collaboration to expand access
to AI.

AI is poised to become the defining technological force of the 21st century, but only if its founda-
tions are sound. Connectivity is the backbone of AI, and widespread, secure infrastructure must
be prioritized to reap the benefits of technological progress. Through coordinated investment,
smart policy, and shared responsibility, AI can be harnessed to drive greater opportunity for all.

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