HP, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, has announced a new study that reveals global leaders’ willingness to use technology, including artificial intelligence, to advance key impact goals.
The study of business executives and government officials in ten countries found that 3 in 4 leaders believe technology is key to expanding economic opportunity (76 percent) and that AI will help advance sustainability and social impact goals (76 percent).
Additionally, business leaders are already using AI or plan to do so in the next 1-2 years for goals such as increasing access to digital education (90 percent), workforce development (89 percent), and workforce diversity (86 percent).
Accelerating digital equality for 150 million people by 2030
Nearly a third of the global population remains offline, costing the world billions of dollars in lost GDP each year. The digital divide has been widening since the advent of technology, and AI could further deepen these inequalities.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to access the tools needed to succeed in the digital economy,” said HP Turkey General Manager Serdar Urçar. “We know that technology can be a great equalizer and a powerful tool for achieving progress. However, to truly narrow the digital divide in our rapidly evolving world, we must also equip individuals with the skills to use technology.”
In its latest Sustainable Impact report, HP announced that it has accelerated digital equality for more than 45 million people since 2021, reaching nearly a third of its goal of reaching 150 million people by 2030 this year.
This rapid progress is the result of innovative partnerships with key institutions that create solutions specifically for communities. HP has implemented impactful programs, strategic investments, and partnerships that prioritize those most impacted by the digital divide.
HP in 2023:
The Digital Equality Accelerator supported digital equity solutions developed by ten institutions in Malaysia, South Africa and Mexico, such as improving digital literacy for access to employment, access to educational hardware and software in schools, and developing digital platforms to improve health outcomes. The accelerator reached a total of 6.4 million people by 2023.
Launched more than 100 Digital Centers in partnership with YMCA of the World to support digital programming and literacy. For example, the West Orem Digital Center, provided by YMCA Houston in Texas, aims to increase community access to educational, economic and social opportunities for youth, support services for families, and digital literacy courses for aging members of the community. Reached more than 500,000 people worldwide by 2023.
Opened two NABU HP Creative Labs in the US and the Philippines, equipping artists and writers with technology to write and illustrate hundreds of books for children in local languages each year. Free books helped 1.9 million children develop confidence, cultural connection, and literacy skills—important building blocks for participation in the digital economy—by 2023.
Skills development is important in the face of the rise of artificial intelligence
Both business and government officials report the skills gap as the top barrier to achieving key corporate goals, with only economic downturn ranking higher.
Skills development is a core part of HP’s digital equity approach. As a result, HP is advancing its goal of enrolling 2.75 million users in HP LIFE, its free skills development program. The HP Foundation’s program has already enabled more than 1.2 million users to access economic opportunities or start businesses.
HP is launching new initiatives to expand responsible access and use of AI, the most reported investment area for businesses today:
This year, it’s rolling out a new course on AI skills and its free HP LIFE course on Digital Business Skills.
In collaboration with MIT Solve, HP is launching the AI for Social Impact Prize, providing technology designed to build and run AI applications to social entrepreneurs and organizations that use AI to improve education, healthcare, and economic opportunity in communities globally.
Commercial and consumer Next-Gen AI PCs, a new category of devices built for work and creativity, are coming to market this month.
HP is committed to being a sustainable and equitable technology company. HP is continually reviewing its progress and taking further action to achieve a more equitable and sustainable future.
Source: www.technopat.net
