With the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution already well underway, the Broadband Commission has added yet another task to AI’s to-do list: “Leveraging AI for Universal Connectivity”. The Commission’s annual flagship report, published at the Annual Spring Meeting on 20 June 2024, brings together contributions from over 50 commissioners representing UN agencies, private sector organisations, and national governments.The report highlights the significant progress made to bridge the global digital divide and achieve the Commission’s 2025 Advocacy Goals, illustrating AI’s integration with these efforts through selected case studies. It calls for global cooperation and collaboration to harness the benefits and minimise the risks of emerging technologies.
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Advocacy Targets under review just months before 2025 deadline
In 2011, the Broadband Commission set out four connectivity goals. This list had grown to seven by 2018. The aim of making broadband affordable (Advocacy Target 2) is now within touching distance. While the gender divide persists (Advocacy Target 7), gender parity in internet usage in some nations has been achieved. The Quick Guide, included in the report’s annex, provides an overview of the progress regarding each target in the final months before the 2025 deadline. Beyond progress made until the present day, the report turned its focus to AI’s potential future impact, as detailed in the table below.| Small municipalities | Personal car (78%) Walking (27%) Bicycle (14%) |
|---|---|
| Medium cities | Personal car (71%) Walking (33%) Bicycle (21%) |
| Cities in large prefectures | Personal car (52%) Walking (50%) Subway/train (39%) |