Don T Let Ai Become The Newest Digital Divide Benton Org

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 6, 2025, 9:14 AM

don t let ai become the newest digital divide benton org

In his annual letter, Bill Gates predicted that the United States is “eighteen to twenty four months away from significant levels of AI use by the general population” and that African countries are just... The pace of AI development is breathtaking, with generative AI tools like ChatGPT forecast to have an adoption curve steeper than the smartphone. However, while many of us explore this new frontier of tech, much of the world is yet to even come online. Like every digital breakthrough before it—the invention of the web, the roll-out of broadband, the mobile revolution—the opportunities enabled by AI leaves those without internet access further behind just by staying where they are. Without urgent action billions of people around the world will be excluded from the benefits of this technological revolution while suffering its disruptions. As Gates writes, “If we make smart investments now, AI can make the world a more equitable place.

It can reduce or even eliminate the lag time between when the rich world gets an innovation and when the poor world does.” But if we do not make these investments, AI will not... [Jochai Ben-Avie is the Co-Founder and CEO of Connect Humanity.] Benton Institute for Broadband & Society 1041 Ridge Rd, Unit 214 Wilmette, IL 60091 © 1994-2025 Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. All Rights Reserved. AI will bring major breakthroughs in areas like education and medicine.

However, lack of internet access could prevent many people from benefitting from these innovations. In his annual letter this year, Bill Gates predicted that the United States is “eighteen to twenty four months away from significant levels of AI use by the general population” and that African countries... The pace of AI development is breathtaking, with generative AI tools like ChatGPT forecast to have an adoption curve steeper than the smartphone. However, while many of us explore this new frontier of tech, much of the world is yet to even come online. In the United States alone, one in three people don’t use the internet at speeds fast enough to use Zoom, never mind the latest AI-enabled technologies. Elsewhere, the digital divide is greater still, with 63 percent of people living in African countries lacking any internet access at all.

Like every digital breakthrough before it—the invention of the web, the roll-out of broadband, the mobile revolution—the opportunities enabled by AI leaves those without internet access further behind just by staying where they are. Without urgent action to close the digital divide and promote equitable access to AI technologies, billions of people around the world will be excluded from the benefits of this technological revolution while suffering its... Digital and Cyberspace Policy program updates on cybersecurity, digital trade, internet governance, and online privacy. Bimonthly. In an era where technological advancements are reshaping our world at an unprecedented pace, artificial intelligence stands at the forefront of this digital revolution. While AI promises to solve complex problems, enhance productivity, and improve our quality of life, it also brings with it a new challenge: the AI divide.

This growing disparity threatens to deepen existing inequalities and create new ones, potentially leaving vast segments of the global population behind in an increasingly AI-driven world. The AI divide is not merely a technological issue; it's a multifaceted problem with far-reaching social, economic, and ethical implications. As AI systems become more sophisticated and integrated into various aspects of our lives – from healthcare and education to employment and financial services – those without access to or understanding of these technologies... This divide is not just about access to AI tools, but also about the ability to develop, implement, and benefit from AI technologies. In this comprehensive exploration of the AI divide, we'll delve into its roots, examine its current manifestations, and consider its potential future impacts. We'll investigate how AI is exacerbating existing digital inequalities, creating new forms of discrimination, and potentially widening the gap between the technologically empowered and the disenfranchised.

Moreover, we'll discuss the critical need for inclusive AI development, ethical considerations, and potential solutions to bridge this growing divide. As we navigate this complex landscape, it's crucial to understand that the AI divide is not an inevitable consequence of technological progress. With thoughtful policies, inclusive development practices, and a commitment to digital equity, we can harness the power of AI to create a more just and equitable world. Join us as we unpack this pressing issue and explore pathways towards a future where the benefits of AI are accessible to all. To fully grasp the concept of the AI divide, we must first understand its roots and how it relates to the broader digital divide that has been a topic of concern for decades. Susan Gonzales, former tech exec and founder & CEO of AIandYou, a U.S.-based nonprofit educating marginalized communities about artificial intelligence.

Member of the U.S. National AI Advisory Committee and National Institute of Science (NIST) AI Safety Consortium The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have widened the digital divide, creating what is now known as the AI divide. This divide represents the unequal access, benefits, and opportunities in AI technology across various regions, communities, and socioeconomic groups. The most marginalized communities—women, people of color, disabled individuals, LGBTQ+ persons, and others—bear the brunt of this divide. To bridge this gap, embracing and promoting AI literacy is paramount.

Understanding the basics of AI is essential for everyone to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. Fear is a significant barrier to AI literacy. Many people are apprehensive about AI, as evidenced by a recent survey across 31 countries, in which nearly equal numbers of adults reported being nervous (52%) and excited (54%) about AI products and services. This fear often overshadows the natural curiosity and excitement that new technologies typically generate. To overcome this challenge, it is crucial to provide accessible and relatable AI education that addresses these fears and stimulates curiosity. Studies indicate that AI's increasing prevalence differs from the same levels of understanding and awareness, particularly in underrepresented groups.

Fear of AI-biased outcomes and negative impacts of AI are stifling the interest in understanding how to use the technology to improve lives. This gap is evident in the workforce, where women are more likely to be exposed to AI-related job changes yet face a significant skills gap compared to men. Recently, the office of the Governor of California in the U.S. held focus groups on AI in the community and asked, “Are you concerned AI will impact your job?” The reply: “I don’t know, should I be?” This response reflects the problem. Few people understand the impact of AI on everyday life. This disparity underscores the urgent need for targeted AI literacy programs to support these vulnerable groups.

Global leaders have a critical role in promoting and encouraging AI literacy, and we need them to spearhead efforts to develop and implement local educational programs. Programs tailored to local communities can help them prepare for the opportunities and changes coming with AI. The key is teaching AI basics to create a foundation of understanding, decreasing fear, and increasing curiosity, as noted in the diagram above. Here are vital actions leaders can take: AI will bring major breakthroughs in areas like education and medicine. However, lack of internet access could prevent many people from benefitting from these innovations.

This article was originally published by the Council on Foreign Relations at www.cfr.org In his annual letter this year, Bill Gates predicted that the United States is “eighteen to twenty four months away from significant levels of AI use by the general population” and that African countries... The pace of AI development is breathtaking, with generative AI tools like ChatGPT forecast to have an adoption curve steeper than the smartphone. However, while many of us explore this new frontier of tech, much of the world is yet to even come online. In the United States alone, one in three people don’t use the internet at speeds fast enough to use Zoom, never mind the latest AI-enabled technologies. Elsewhere, the digital divide is greater still, with 63 percent of people living in African countries lacking any internet access at all.

Like every digital breakthrough before it—the invention of the web, the roll-out of broadband, the mobile revolution—the opportunities enabled by AI leaves those without internet access further behind just by staying where they are. Without urgent action to close the digital divide and promote equitable access to AI technologies, billions of people around the world will be excluded from the benefits of this technological revolution while suffering its... As we venture into a new era of accelerated AI development, let's keep in mind the stark digital divide that already exists. Billions of people are at risk of being excluded from AI's unprecedented opportunities due to a lack of internet access. We can't afford to let AI exacerbate this divide. #DigitalDivide #AI #InternetAccess

The development of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is emerging at lightning speed — so much so that the Biden administration just issued its first ever A.I. executive order regarding safety, labor,… The development of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is emerging at lightning speed — so much so that the Biden administration just issued its first ever A.I. executive order regarding safety, labor, and civil rights issues. A.I. is already changing education in unimaginable ways—and it’s cause for great concern in education, especially around the potential for widespread misuse of leading-edge AI software, which have led to suspicion, cheating, and bans.

There is an urgent need for school districts and higher ed institutions to establish policies regarding A.I., and for teachers and students to understand its benefits—and its pitfalls. But as this technology booms, questions of educational justice and ethics arise, such as: The data paints a sobering picture: Research shows the divides in access to computers and broadband fall along racial and economic lines and that A.I. algorithms exhibit biases. Today: Advancing Access Through Collective Advocacy Groups to FCC: Continue Assessing Broadband Affordability, Adoption

The Federal Communications Commission should still assess broadband affordability and adoption as part of its annual report on deployment, consumer advocates told the agency. The FCC is set to vote on a notice of inquiry that would kick off its annual report on whether broadband “is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion.” The... Representatives from Public Knowledge, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, and X-Lab met with staff from the offices of commissioners Olivia Trusty and Anna Gomez to urge against the move. We build and analyze new metrics of digital usage that leverage telemetry data collected by Microsoft during operating system updates across forty million Windows devices in U.S. households. These measures of US household digital usage are much more comprehensive than those made available through any existing commercial or government survey.

We construct representations of devices in ZIP codes and find evidence of significant variation in usage reflecting an urban-rural divide. We also show the existence of substantial disparities in usage even within narrowly defined Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Income and education correlate with these observed differences. These effects are large and suggest digital literacy gaps that extend beyond the availability of essential IT infrastructure at the local level. These findings call for interventions beyond the traditional focus on infrastructure access and address usage and skills development. The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announced the counties in which conditional forbearance from the obligation to offer Lifeline-supported voice service applies.

This forbearance applies only to the Lifeline voice obligation of eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) that are designated for purposes of receiving both high-cost and Lifeline support (high-cost/Lifeline ETCs), and not to Lifeline-only ETCs. The 2016 Lifeline Order established conditional forbearance from Lifeline voice obligations in targeted areas where certain competitive conditions are met. To accomplish this forbearance, the FCC directed the Bureau to release a yearly public notice announcing the counties in which the competitive conditions are met. In particular, the FCC granted forbearance from high cost/Lifeline ETCs’ obligation to offer and advertise Lifeline voice service in counties where the following conditions are met: (1) at least 51% of Lifeline subscribers in... The counties listed in this public notice meet the two competitive conditions; and for ETCs that are receiving high-cost support in these counties, the forbearance applies only in areas within the county where the... Last updated 4 days ago ago.

Don T Let Ai Become The Newest Digital Divide Benton Org

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