Rights & Ethics

digital inclusion

Ensuring access to and meaningful use of digital technologies across groups.

How the laws define this

Regulatory frameworks consistently establish that digital inclusion centers on policies and measures designed to provide equitable access to digital technologies, infrastructure, and skills, enabling all individuals to participate fully in digital society. Every instrument addresses reducing barriers to participation for disadvantaged or underserved groups. However, these definitions diverge in how specifically they define their target populations and scope. The National Strategy for Digital Skills of the Slovak Republic and Action Plan 2023–2026 and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL) explicitly identify particular groups, such as seniors, rural populations, low-income households, persons with disabilities, and specific genders. Conversely, frameworks such as the Value-Driven Digitalisation Work Agenda and the Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2024 frame the mandate broadly around all citizens or communities without enumerating distinct groups. Additionally, Digitalna Slovenija 2030 expands this baseline to include building trust in digital services.

Synthesised from the 7 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 7 of the 8 instruments that define this term; all are listed under Definitions below.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
Malta	National eSkills Strategy 2022–2025 (eSkills Malta Foundation)	In Force	Emphasizes cross-cutting objective spanning access, eSafety and lifelong learning within a national eSkills strategy.
Malaysia	Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL)	In Force	Adds affordability, digital literacy and participation gaps across income levels, geographic regions, age cohorts and genders.
Slovakia	National Strategy for Digital Skills of the Slovak Republic and Action Plan 2023–2026	In Force	Targets prevention and reduction of exclusion specifically for seniors, disadvantaged socio-economic groups and remote regions.
Ghana	Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2024	In Force	Limits to policy goal of access and use of ICTs for all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged.
United States	AI Accountability Act (H.R. 1694)	Proposed	Frames as scope for AI accountability study to close digital divide, unlike policy-focused definitions.
Slovenia	Digital Slovenia 2030	Adopted	Includes building trust in digital services alongside equitable access to infrastructure, services and skills.
Netherlands	Value-Driven Digitalisation Work Agenda	Adopted	Specifies targets for basic digital skill uptake and partnerships to close access gaps for citizen participation.

Definitions (8)

Measures and policies designed to ensure equitable access to digital technologies, services and learning opportunities across demographic and socio‑economic groups, reducing barriers to participation. The Strategy treats digital inclusion as a cross‑cutting objective covering access, eSafety and lifelong learning.

National eSkills Strategy 2022–2025 (eSkills Malta Foundation)Definition 1 of 8

Policies and measures aimed at ensuring equitable access to digital infrastructure, services and skills across demographic groups, with targeted actions for underserved populations to close the digital divide and build trust in digital services. The strategy positions inclusion as a cross-cutting objective tied to education, affordability and accessibility.

Digitalna Slovenija 2030 (Digital Slovenia 2030) - National strategy for digital transformationDefinition 2 of 8

Programs and policies aimed at ensuring equitable access to digital technologies and skills, addressing affordability, digital literacy, and participation gaps across income levels, geographic regions, age cohorts, and genders to broaden societal benefits of digitalisation.

Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL)Definition 3 of 8

The objective and set of measures to make sure all citizens have the skills, access and opportunities required to participate in digital society, including targets for basic digital skill uptake and partnerships to close access gaps.

Value-Driven Digitalisation Work Agenda (Werkagenda Waardengedreven Digitaliseren)Definition 4 of 8

Policies and actions aimed at preventing and reducing digital exclusion among seniors, disadvantaged socio-economic groups and remote regions by improving access, basic and intermediate skills, and targeted support to ensure equitable participation in the digital society.

National Strategy for Digital Skills of the Slovak Republic and Action Plan 2023–2026 (Národná stratégia digitálnych zručností SR a Akčný plán 2023–2026)Definition 5 of 8

Programmes, supports and measures aimed at ensuring access to digital technologies, skills training, and services for groups at risk of exclusion—such as seniors, rural populations, low-income households and persons with disabilities—so they can participate fully in digital society.

National Strategy for Digital Skills of the Slovak Republic and Action Plan 2023–2026Definition 6 of 8

The policy goal of ensuring that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and can use Information and Communication Technologies.

Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2024Definition 7 of 8

The bill directs the study to consider whether accountability measures can help close the digital divide and promote digital inclusion in the United States. This places access and equitable participation within the scope of AI accountability policy.

Artificial Intelligence Accountability ActDefinition 8 of 8

Not to be confused with

digital divide

Digital divide refers to the gaps themselves in access to devices, connectivity and skills, while digital inclusion addresses measures to close those gaps.

digital exclusion

Digital exclusion describes the lack of access to infrastructure, skills or opportunities, whereas digital inclusion involves policies to prevent or overcome it.

Questions and answers

What groups does digital inclusion target in national strategies?

Strategies target demographic and socio-economic groups, seniors, disadvantaged populations, remote regions, underserved communities and low-income households. Some specify age cohorts, genders and geographic regions.

How is digital inclusion positioned in policy frameworks?

It is a cross-cutting objective in strategies covering access, eSafety, lifelong learning, education and affordability. Some tie it to AI governance or public values like trust and agency.

Does digital inclusion relate to AI accountability?

In the proposed US AI Accountability Act, it falls within the scope of a directed study on whether accountability measures can promote equitable participation and close the digital divide.