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international

robotics has the potential to revolutionize
industries, from agriculture to disaster
response. Robotics can augment human
capabilities, enabling faster, safer, and more
efficient processes.

But this progress also comes with challenges
that must be addressed proactively. Large-
scale deployment of robotics could reshape
labour markets, potentially displacing
certain jobs while creating demand for
new skillsets. By focusing on skilling and
capacity building, ITU is helping prepare
communities around the world for these
monumental shifts, through initiatives like ITU SG - AI for Good 2024
our AI Skills Coalition.

We’ve also launched a new focus group effectively and safely. For example, while
on “embodied AI”, where experts are basic digital skills are becoming more
exploring how robots can coexist and widespread, advanced capabilities like
collaborate with humans in open, dynamic online safety, content creation, and
environments, supporting a broad range of problem-solving are lagging behind,
applications, from smart manufacturing to particularly in underserved communities.
public service to healthcare. Addressing these challenges requires
sustained investment, innovative financing
You have often highlighted the issue of the mechanisms, and stronger international
digital divide. In your view, has meaningful collaboration. ITU remains committed to
progress been made during your tenure, working with partners worldwide to close ITU SG - AI for Good 2025
and what challenges remain? these gaps and ensure that connectivity
While we’ve definitely made progress, the unlocks opportunities for everyone,
digital divide remains a pressing challenge, everywhere.
especially with the rapid growth of AI. It’s
important to recognize that there isn’t just Despite global progress, women are still
one digital divide, but many — spanning significantly less connected than men in
urban and rural areas, gender, age groups, many regions. What is the single biggest
and other dimensions. Not only are 2.2 structural barrier today — and why hasn’t
billion people still offline, but millions it been solved yet? How do we move from
more face disparities in the quality of measuring the gender gap to actually
connectivity or digital skills. closing it at scale? And with the upcoming
AI for Good Global Summit and WSIS
One of the most significant challenges is Forum in Geneva bringing together
affordability, particularly in low-income global leaders again this summer, what
countries where subscribers spend up to concrete commitments or accountability
22 times more of their income on mobile mechanisms do you expect to emerge
broadband than those in wealthier nations. specifically to close the gender digital
And while 5G networks now cover 55% of divide—and how will you ensure they
the world’s population, only 4% of people lead to measurable impact rather than
in low-income countries have access, remaining high-level declarations?
leaving many reliant on slower, less reliable Today, 250 million fewer women than
networks. men use the Internet worldwide. The
biggest barrier to equal connectivity is
Another challenge is ensuring that the lack of access to the skills, resources,
connectivity is meaningful. People need and opportunities needed to thrive in the
the skills and tools to use the Internet digital world. We are making progress

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