Huawei Calls for Expanded Open Innovation to Prevent New Digital Divide
Air Monitoring

Huawei Calls for Expanded Open Innovation to Prevent New Digital Divide

At the Huawei ICT Sustainability Roundtable held at MWC 2025 in Barcelona, Huawei urged policymakers and stakeholders in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector to expand open innovation and collaboration to prevent a new digital divide resulting from the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years.

Ken Hu, rotating chairman of Huawei, emphasized in his opening speech that digital technologies and partnerships can help promote sustainable changes for people and the planet. He highlighted examples from Huawei’s TECH4ALL program and stressed the need for governments and the ICT industry to enhance collaboration platforms to ensure no one is left behind in the digital world.

As AI makes the world smarter, there is a risk of a new digital divide emerging. Hu emphasized the importance of addressing this issue and working together to bridge the gap. He called for policymakers to build more inclusive institutional frameworks and for more technology companies to embrace open innovation.

The ICT Sustainability Roundtable brought together global experts and Huawei TECH4ALL partners to showcase how collaborative projects in digital inclusion can equip underserved communities with the skills needed to embrace the digital world. For example, the Huawei TECH4ALL DigiTruck, a mobile classroom mounted on a truck, has provided training for nearly 6,000 young Kenyans since 2019.

In Kenya, Huawei has been a strategic partner in expanding digital skills through initiatives like TECH4ALL, which support digital inclusion. The DigiTruck program has significantly improved the employability of participants and increased internet usage for business activities. The program’s success has been recognized by the Kenyan government and the mobile industry association GSMA.

Similarly, projects like TECH4ALL Smart Village Pakistan have transformed rural villages in Pakistan by providing connectivity, e-learning, e-health services, and digital skills training. Collaborations with organizations like UNESCO and the University of Alicante have focused on global digital skills development, including initiatives like the Huawei ICT Academy to nurture the next generation of ICT talents.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) showcased how ICT is redefining nature conservation through the Tech4Nature global partnership under the TECH4ALL program. This collaboration has supported 13 flagship projects in 11 countries with innovative technological solutions for protected areas.

All the projects discussed at the roundtable emphasized technological innovations and cross-sector partnerships as crucial for harnessing the power of ICT to enable an inclusive and sustainable digital world.

TECH4ALL is Huawei’s long-term initiative and action plan for digital inclusion, built on innovative technologies and partnerships to promote inclusivity and sustainability in the digital world.

In conclusion, the Huawei ICT Sustainability Roundtable highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing the digital divide. By working together and leveraging technology, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable digital future. Visit the Huawei TECH4ALL website for more information and follow us on X for updates.