The article first appeared in The Forbes India on February 13, 2024
The growing digital disparity between urban and rural areas has become a critical issue in India, accentuating the gap between metropolitan success stories and rural challenges in accessing technology. Despite a commendable 13 percent digital growth rate, Oxfam India’s Inequality Report reveals that only 31 percent of the rural population has internet access compared to the more affluent 67 percent in urban areas. The consequences are palpable—restricted educational opportunities, limited healthcare access, and persistent regional economic disparities. Can artificial intelligence (AI) be the transformative force to bridge this digital chasm?