[ivory-search id="3463" title="Default Search Form"]
Search
Register here
Search
Type below to search:
Solutions stage
LeadersGoldDiscovery

AI for digital infrastructure: Advancing connectivity and closing the digital divide

    • Date
    10 July 2026
    Timeframe
    11:00 - 11:30 CEST
    Duration
    30 minutes
    • Days
      Hours
      Min
      Sec

    The Future Networks and Spectrum (FNS) Division within the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (BDT) leads the development and promotion of innovative digital infrastructure solutions, supporting Member States in strengthening digital infrastructure and expanding meaningful connectivity. A core focus of the Division is enabling governments to make informed decisions on network deployment, infrastructure investment, and spectrum management to bridge the global digital divide. 

    Despite significant progress in digital connectivity, approximately one-third of the world’s population remains offline, with substantial disparities persisting between urban and rural areas, developed and developing countries, and among underserved communities. Achieving universal and meaningful connectivity requires not only increased investment in digital infrastructure, but also more effective planning, prioritization, and deployment strategies. 

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics are increasingly being applied to support digital infrastructure planning. By combining geospatial data, network information, and demographic indicators, AI-enabled tools can help governments better understand connectivity gaps, model deployment scenarios, optimize spectrum use, and prioritize investments to expand broadband coverage. 

    Recognizing the transformative potential of AI, the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) adopted a dedicated Resolution on Artificial Intelligence for Development, highlighting the importance of responsible and inclusive AI deployment to advance sustainable development objectives. Within this context, AI offers significant opportunities to accelerate progress toward universal and meaningful connectivity while ensuring that investments are targeted where they are needed most. 

    Through partnerships with industry leaders such as Ericsson, GitHub, Amazon, and other technology partners contributing modelling and analytics capabilities, FNS demonstrates how AI can move from concept to practical implementation in digital infrastructure planning. FNS positions AI not as an abstract technological shift, but as a concrete tool to support governments in achieving inclusive, sustainable, and resilient digital transformation. 

    Share this session with your network
    • Session starts in
      Days
      Hours
      Min
      Sec
    Add to Calendar
    Related stories

    How RareSum is rethinking rare disease diagnosis for patients still...

    For patients living with a rare disease, the road to a diagnosis is often longer than the road to treatment....
    Global Summit | Innovation Factory

    Robotique : Novatech lance à Niamey la compétition – Robotics...

    Niamey, 31 mai (ANP) – L’organisation Novatech a lancé, ce dimanche 31 mai 2026 à L’École Supérieure des Communications Électroniques...
    Robotics for Good Youth Challenge

    How Enterprise Monkey is rethinking AI for development through Agents...

    In development work, organisations tackling similar problems often build their solutions in parallel without much visibility into what others have...
    Global Summit | Innovation Factory

    Are you sure you want to remove this speaker?