Huawei Calls for Enhanced Open Innovation and Collaboration to Close the Digital Divide
At the recent Huawei ICT Sustainability Roundtable during MWC 2025 in Barcelona, a significant call to action was made by Huawei. The company's rotating chairman, Ken Hu, emphasized the urgent need to prevent the emergence of a new digital divide driven by the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). The event brought together global experts and stakeholders from the information and communication technology (ICT) sector to discuss strategies and initiatives aimed at fostering open innovation and collaboration.
During his keynote address, Ken Hu pointed out that while digital technologies offer transformative potential for society, the benefits they bring must be accessible to all. Citing examples from Huawei's TECH4ALL program, he underscored the importance of building cooperative platforms among governments and the ICT industry to ensure inclusivity in the digital realm. "As AI makes the world smarter, we are likely to see a new digital divide. We must be vigilant and work together to bridge this gap," Hu stated.
He further elaborated on the crucial role of policymakers in creating an institutional framework that promotes inclusivity, as well as the need for more tech companies to commit to open innovation. The roundtable facilitated discussions on how collaborative projects could equip underserved communities with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital landscape.
Among the notable contributions was from John Tanui, a representative of the Kenyan government, who highlighted the synergy between Huawei’s initiatives and the Kenya Vision 2030. This initiative aims to accelerate digital economic development through the implementation of digital infrastructures, digital government services, and digital skill training for remote communities. For instance, Huawei's TECH4ALL DigiTruck, which is essentially a mobile classroom mounted on a truck, has successfully trained nearly 6,000 Kenyan youths since its launch in 2019.
"In Kenya, we believe that no one should be left behind. Thus, Huawei serves as a strategic partner in enhancing digital skills through initiatives like TECH4ALL, driving our digital inclusion efforts," stated Tanui, acknowledging the impact of mobile DigiTrucks in educating young people about smartphone functionalities, online risks, and responsible internet use.
Statistics from a 2024 report on the DigiTruck program revealed that 93% of participants improved their employability following their training. Additionally, the report indicated increased employment rates among former trainees and a notable rise in online activity related to business, such as e-commerce.
The roundtable also spotlighted the Universal Service Fund Pakistan's (USF) efforts in collaboration with the Pakistani government, Huawei, and the ITU to implement TECH4ALL Smart Village initiatives. These projects focus on providing connectivity, e-education, and e-health solutions to rural areas while also training community members in digital skills.
In partnership with UNESCO and the University of Alicante, discussions emphasized the need for developing global digital skills, particularly through Huawei ICT Academy, which aims to cultivate the next generation of ICT talent. Highlighting environmental conservation efforts, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) showcased how ICT is revolutionizing conservation efforts with innovative solutions in 13 flagship projects across 11 countries through the Huawei TECH4ALL Tech4Nature initiative.
All projects discussed shared a common theme of leveraging technological innovation and cross-sector partnerships, which Hu described as essential for utilizing ICT to foster an inclusive and sustainable digital world.
In closing, participants were encouraged to reflect on the collaborative potential and the shared responsibility of businesses, governments, and civil society in ensuring equitable access to digital resources and opportunities. Huawei's TECH4ALL initiative serves as a guiding framework focused on enabling digital inclusion and sustainability, representing the company’s long-term commitment to shaping a balanced digital future. For more details about TECH4ALL, visit Huawei TECH4ALL and follow updates on X: @HUAWEI_TECH4ALL.
During his keynote address, Ken Hu pointed out that while digital technologies offer transformative potential for society, the benefits they bring must be accessible to all. Citing examples from Huawei's TECH4ALL program, he underscored the importance of building cooperative platforms among governments and the ICT industry to ensure inclusivity in the digital realm. "As AI makes the world smarter, we are likely to see a new digital divide. We must be vigilant and work together to bridge this gap," Hu stated.
He further elaborated on the crucial role of policymakers in creating an institutional framework that promotes inclusivity, as well as the need for more tech companies to commit to open innovation. The roundtable facilitated discussions on how collaborative projects could equip underserved communities with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital landscape.
Among the notable contributions was from John Tanui, a representative of the Kenyan government, who highlighted the synergy between Huawei’s initiatives and the Kenya Vision 2030. This initiative aims to accelerate digital economic development through the implementation of digital infrastructures, digital government services, and digital skill training for remote communities. For instance, Huawei's TECH4ALL DigiTruck, which is essentially a mobile classroom mounted on a truck, has successfully trained nearly 6,000 Kenyan youths since its launch in 2019.
"In Kenya, we believe that no one should be left behind. Thus, Huawei serves as a strategic partner in enhancing digital skills through initiatives like TECH4ALL, driving our digital inclusion efforts," stated Tanui, acknowledging the impact of mobile DigiTrucks in educating young people about smartphone functionalities, online risks, and responsible internet use.
Statistics from a 2024 report on the DigiTruck program revealed that 93% of participants improved their employability following their training. Additionally, the report indicated increased employment rates among former trainees and a notable rise in online activity related to business, such as e-commerce.
The roundtable also spotlighted the Universal Service Fund Pakistan's (USF) efforts in collaboration with the Pakistani government, Huawei, and the ITU to implement TECH4ALL Smart Village initiatives. These projects focus on providing connectivity, e-education, and e-health solutions to rural areas while also training community members in digital skills.
In partnership with UNESCO and the University of Alicante, discussions emphasized the need for developing global digital skills, particularly through Huawei ICT Academy, which aims to cultivate the next generation of ICT talent. Highlighting environmental conservation efforts, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) showcased how ICT is revolutionizing conservation efforts with innovative solutions in 13 flagship projects across 11 countries through the Huawei TECH4ALL Tech4Nature initiative.
All projects discussed shared a common theme of leveraging technological innovation and cross-sector partnerships, which Hu described as essential for utilizing ICT to foster an inclusive and sustainable digital world.
In closing, participants were encouraged to reflect on the collaborative potential and the shared responsibility of businesses, governments, and civil society in ensuring equitable access to digital resources and opportunities. Huawei's TECH4ALL initiative serves as a guiding framework focused on enabling digital inclusion and sustainability, representing the company’s long-term commitment to shaping a balanced digital future. For more details about TECH4ALL, visit Huawei TECH4ALL and follow updates on X: @HUAWEI_TECH4ALL.
Topics Other）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.