The rapid spread and adoption of new and emerging technologies is a matter of intense interest, particularly given these technologies' potential to increase productivity and build cost-effective, impactful, and sustainable solutions across numerous sectors. However, while significant progress has been made, adoption of emerging technologies is threatening to exacerbate gaps, especially as one third of the global population remains offline. The rapid development and adoption of data-driven technologies, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other technologies threatens to widen the gap, pushing those without meaningful access even further behind. These technologies, while offering potential benefits in terms of social, economic and environmentally sustainable development, pose a double-sided challenge to all Internet stakeholders - how to manage the rapid pace of change that is now occurring in some societies, while working to ensure the digital divide is closing rather than widening. International and multistakeholder cooperation is key in pushing the access and knowledge frontiers, and the only avenue to extend the benefits of connectivity to all, ensuring that no one is left behind. In turn, emerging technologies can also be leveraged to better understand and address divides, as well as acting as drivers of access.

This Main Session will consider the necessary steps to connect the next billions, as a steppingstone to ensure that all emerging technologies, including AI and data exchange can be inclusive, and their benefits are harnessed by everyone, everywhere. The speakers will exchange best practices and recommendations to address the persisting divides (across all its dimensions, including geographic, gender, skills, abilities, etc), with a holistic view that considers both the challenges and opportunities offered by emerging technologies.