World Bank
Digital Progress and Trends Report 2025: Strengthening AI Foundations
2025
Documents global inequalities in connectivity, computing capacity, data, models, and digital skills, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Expanding Digital Opportunities
The LDI expands digital opportunities by increasing access, strengthening digital literacy, and developing the technology skills that open doors, broaden possibilities, and create brighter futures.
Expanding Digital Opportunities
Three questions help clarify why it is critical for organizations and communities to expand digital opportunities today:
- Why must organizations expand digital opportunities now?
- What digital capabilities should individuals and communities develop?
- How can technology create more equitable workforce and economic opportunities?
Category 1: Understanding the Digital Opportunity Gap
Question
Why must organizations expand digital opportunities now?
These reports explain the growing digital divide and why access to technology, connectivity, and digital participation have become essential for economic opportunity and social mobility.
Sources
UNESCO
Universal Access to Information and Digital Inclusion
April 12, 2025
Shows how access to information, digital literacy, and the ability to navigate online environments safely can empower underserved communities.
Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development
Our Digital World
2025
Reviews the expansion of digital services while showing why affordability, meaningful connectivity, skills, and inclusive participation remain global challenges.
National Skills Coalition
Closing the Digital Divide in the United States
February 2025
Explains that digital equity depends on more than broadband and hardware because people also need the skills to use technology effectively for work and daily life.
Category 2: Building Digital Capability
Question
What digital capabilities should individuals and communities develop?
These reports identify the digital literacy, AI knowledge, technology skills, and critical-thinking capabilities people need to participate fully in an increasingly digital society and workforce.
Sources
World Bank
Digital Skills for Africa
2025
Examines digital-skill demand across African labor markets and the preparation required for workers and communities to benefit from digital transformation.
UNESCO-UNEVOC
Youth Survey Report on AI and Digital Skills
2025
Presents young people’s perspectives on AI education, digital preparation, access, and the need for inclusive, youth-centered skills policies.
UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education
Digital Technologies for Inclusive Education
January 10, 2025
Provides recommendations for using digital technology to expand participation and ensure learners with different needs can access meaningful educational opportunities.
UNESCO
AI and Technologies in Education
2025
Connects digital access with human agency, teacher and student competence, critical thinking, ethical participation, and equitable educational transformation.
Category 3: Expanding Economic Opportunity Through Technology
Question
How can technology create more equitable workforce and economic opportunities?
These publications explore how governments, educators, employers, and communities can use technology and digital skills to create inclusive pathways to employment, lifelong learning, and economic mobility.
Sources
State Educational Technology Directors Association
Sustaining Progress to Close the Digital Access Divide in K–12 Education
January 2025
Examines access to devices, connectivity, digital learning environments, and the continuing disparities affecting students and families.
World Bank
Are Green and Digital Skills a Pathway to Jobs?
September 9, 2025
Investigates how digital and green capabilities can connect people to emerging employment opportunities and support more inclusive economic development.
International Labour Organization
Rethinking AI’s Impact on the Future of Work
November 26, 2025
Considers how AI may affect wages, working conditions, enterprises, employment quality, and opportunities, including what is required to distribute its benefits more equitably.
Michael Edmondson · Forbes
AI Growth Without Workforce Equity Will Deepen Global Divides
June 9, 2026
Argues that AI advancement must be accompanied by broader access, digital education, workforce preparation, and intentional efforts to prevent technological inequality.