Issue Crossing the Divide

Summary

Crossing the Divide asks how to ensure that no one is left behind in the move to digital realities. A global task force would take a nexus approach that tackles access to wearables and devices, access to the internet and digital literacy together, so that every person on Earth is included. In 2026, 2.2 billion people, 26.6% of the world, were still offline, and the World Economic Forum found that 59% of employees will need reskilling by 2030, with 11% unlikely to get it. Employers see skills gaps as the top barrier to transformation and to AI adoption, while shipments of AR and VR headsets and smart glasses are set to rise from 14.3 million in 2025 to 43.1 million by 2029, risking further exclusion. Closing the connectivity gap by 2030 alone could cost $1.6 trillion, and limited adoption, funding and support are the main risks.