At the World Governments Summit, leaders discussed the stark global divide in connectivity, with 5.5 billion people connected and an equal number unconnected. Hatem Dowidar of e& and Margherita Della Valle of Vodafone emphasized the importance of bridging this gap through collaboration and innovation, particularly with advancements in satellite technology. They highlighted that without addressing these disparities, future economic inequalities will likely worsen.
At the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Hatem Dowidar, the group CEO of e&, highlighted that although 5.5 billion people are connected globally, an equal number remain unconnected. This connectivity gap poses a risk of escalating economic divides, which must be addressed urgently. Dowidar illustrated this disparity through the example of two students: one benefitting from advanced AI education tools and global collaboration, while the other struggles with minimal resources in a less developed country. He emphasized, “These two have to compete in the future … It’s really unfair. If we don’t do anything today to bridge that divide, it will become a bigger problem in the future.”
Furthermore, Dowidar stressed that connectivity is pivotal for advancement and requires collaboration among governments, businesses, and organizations. With the rise of AI, there are promising solutions to enhance education, healthcare, and economic activity, particularly in the Global South. Innovations, such as developing satellite technology, show potential for bridging the connectivity gap.
Margherita Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone, echoed the sentiment that connectivity is essential for societal development. Vodafone serves 17 countries across Europe and Africa, aiming to connect individuals wherever they are. She expressed pride in their recent integration of satellite connectivity into their networks. Della Valle stated, “I think this is a great opportunity to connect those areas of the world which are most remote.” She noted that 300 million people lack any form of internet connectivity, highlighting satellite technology as a vital solution. Della Valle recently conducted the first mobile space video call using a standard smartphone and announced plans to launch the service commercially later this year.
In summary, the discussion at the World Governments Summit underscored the critical issue of global connectivity, with speakers emphasizing the urgent need to address disparities that could lead to wider economic divides. Innovative solutions, especially through satellite technology, provide a pathway to enhance connectivity and inclusivity. Both Hatem Dowidar and Margherita Della Valle made clear that collaboration among various sectors is essential to harness these advancements effectively.
Original Source: www.arabnews.pk
