Rising Smartphone Costs Put AI Access at Risk for Billions

The world risks creating a new global divide between AI “haves” and “have-nots” unless urgent action is taken to address the digital divide and make smartphones affordable for billions of people in low- and middle-income countries. Launching its State of Mobile Internet Connectivity (SOMIC) Report 2026, GSMA warns that while artificial intelligence is transforming economies and societies, its benefits will remain out of reach for more than 3.4 billion people who still do not use mobile internet,