Rights & Ethics

digital divide

Gaps in access to devices, connectivity and skills.

How the laws define this

Regulatory guidance consistently identifies the digital divide as a fundamental disparity or gap in access to information and communication technologies—such as internet connectivity and devices—among individuals, households, businesses, and geographic areas. However, these frameworks diverge on the precise scope and societal dimension of that gap. The Belgrade Ministerial Declaration on AI explicitly includes disparities in access to, use of, or knowledge of artificial intelligence, whereas the Digital Education Strategy 2024–2030 (Ministry for Education, Youth, Sport, Research & Innovation) highlights skills and opportunities necessary for digital learning. Furthermore, Resolution A/RES/78/265 - Seizing the opportunities of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development frames the issue primarily as an international gap between developed and developing nations. Conversely, the text directing the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information stresses demographic disparities leading to inequalities in education, economic opportunity, and social participation.

Synthesised from the 6 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first. Showing 6 of the 7 instruments that define this term; all are listed under Definitions below.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
United Nations	Seizing the opportunities of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable development	In Force	Emphasizes disparities in access, use, and impact of ICTs, often along socioeconomic, geographic, or demographic lines.
Serbia	Belgrade Ministerial Declaration on AI	In Force	Explicitly includes AI within information and communication technologies and aims to reduce the disparity.
United States	AI Accountability Act (H.R. 1694)	Proposed	Considers the digital divide in relation to a study on AI accountability measures.
Malta	Digital Education Strategy 2024–2030 (Ministry for Education, Youth, Sport, Research & Innovation)	Adopted	Focuses on disparities in digital devices, connectivity, and skills specifically for participation in digital learning and society.
United Nations	Resolution A/RES/79/1 - Annex II: Global Digital Compact	Adopted	Specifies the gap affects individuals, households, businesses, and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels regarding ICT access and Internet use.
United States	To direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to conduct a study and hold public meetings with respect to artificial intelligence systems.	Withdrawn	Highlights consequences like inequalities in education, economic opportunity, and social participation due to disparities in ICT access.

What it triggers

The Belgrade Ministerial Declaration aims to reduce the disparity in access to, use of, or knowledge of information and communication technologies, including AI.source
Malta's Digital Education Strategy seeks to mitigate disparities in access to digital devices, reliable connectivity, and skills through targeted supports and device provisioning.source

Definitions (7)

The disparities between individuals or groups in access to digital devices, reliable connectivity and the skills or opportunities needed to participate fully in digital learning and society, which the Strategy seeks to mitigate through targeted supports and device provisioning.

Digital Education Strategy 2024–2030 (Ministry for Education, Youth, Sport, Research & Innovation)Definition 1 of 7

The disparity in access to, use of, or knowledge of information and communication technologies, including AI, between different individuals, households, businesses, or geographic areas, which the Declaration aims to reduce.

Belgrade Ministerial Declaration on AIDefinition 2 of 7

The gap between individuals, households, businesses, and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels with regard to both their opportunities to access information and communication technologies and to their use of the Internet for a wide variety of activities.

Resolution A/RES/79/1 - Annex II: Global Digital CompactDefinition 3 of 7

The gap between those who have access to modern information and communication technology and those who do not, particularly between developed and developing nations.

Resolution A/RES/78/265 - Seizing the opportunities of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable developmentDefinition 4 of 7

The digital divide refers to the disparity in access to information and communication technologies, such as the internet and digital devices, between different demographic groups or geographic regions. This gap can lead to inequalities in education, economic opportunity, and social participation.

To direct the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to conduct a study and hold public meetings with respect to artificial intelligence systems.Definition 5 of 7

The gap between those who have access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and those who do not, or the disparities in access, use, and impact of ICTs, often along socioeconomic, geographic, or demographic lines.

Seizing the opportunities of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems for sustainable developmentDefinition 6 of 7

The gap in access to digital technologies and services that the study must consider in relation to accountability measures. The bill asks whether AI accountability practices can help close this gap and promote digital inclusion in the United States.

Artificial Intelligence Accountability ActDefinition 7 of 7

Not to be confused with

digital inclusion

Digital inclusion focuses on ensuring access and meaningful use, while digital divide describes the gaps preventing it.

digital exclusion

Digital exclusion refers specifically to the lack of access, skills, or opportunities, whereas digital divide encompasses broader disparities.

Questions and answers

How does the UN address the digital divide in AI contexts?

UN Resolution A/RES/78/265 and the Global Digital Compact define the digital divide in terms of ICT access gaps and disparities, linking it to sustainable development and AI governance. They emphasize global frameworks for safe AI and digital cooperation.

What does the digital divide mean for AI accountability in the US?

US bills like H.R. 1694 and H.R. 3369 mention the digital divide as a gap in access to digital technologies and services that the study must consider.

How is the digital divide handled in policies like the Belgrade Declaration or Malta's strategy?

The Belgrade Ministerial Declaration defines it to include AI and aims to reduce disparities, while Malta's Digital Education Strategy targets mitigation through supports for devices, connectivity, and skills in education.