KEY DIGITAL TRENDS SHAPING OUR FUTURE

#8: THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Today, we explore the final trend in our series: the digital divide.

The digital divide refers to the disparity between individuals and communities that have access to modern digital technologies and those that do not. This gap is prevalent across various demographics, including geography, income, education, and age. Those with access to high-speed internet, smartphones, and computers can fully participate in the digital economy, while those without are increasingly left behind, leading to significant social and economic inequalities.

The consequences of the digital divide are extensive. In education, students without reliable internet access fall behind in online learning, exacerbating the achievement gap. In the workforce, those without digital skills or internet access miss out on job opportunities and remote work, limiting their economic mobility. Similarly, the divide impacts healthcare, as telemedicine becomes more common, yet inaccessible to underserved communities, leaving many without adequate care.

On a broader scale, the digital divide deepens inequality, stifles innovation, and hinders economic growth. Bridging this gap requires investment in digital infrastructure, affordable technology access, and digital literacy programs to ensure that all individuals and communities can thrive in the digital age.

The divide also affects individual companies. A digitally divided workforce can reduce productivity and innovation, as digitally inexperienced employees struggle to adapt to new technologies, slowing efficiency and growth. It's essential for companies to bridge this divide within their organizations by upskilling employees through targeted training programs, facilitating access to digital tools, and fostering a culture that encourages continuous digital learning. Additionally, companies can use their influence to address the digital divide within their broader ecosystems, including customers and the communities they serve.

?

What Are Governments and Companies Doing to Address the Digital Divide?

• South Korea, one of the most digitally advanced countries, is still tackling its own digital divide. The South Korean government has launched initiatives to improve digital literacy and access to technology, such as establishing "smart schools" that use digital tools to enhance learning and providing free tablets to low-income families.
• Estonia, known for its cutting-edge digital infrastructure, recognizes that not everyone has equal access to technology. Its government launched the "DigiTalent" program, which offers digital skills training in areas like coding, cybersecurity, and digital marketing to both young people and adults.
• Vodafone has several initiatives aimed at improving digital access and skills for underserved communities. Its "Digital Skills and Jobs" program offers training in coding, cybersecurity, and other digital skills across Europe. The company also partners with organizations like the European Youth Forum to enhance young people's access to technology.
• Walmart, one of the largest retailers in the world, understands the importance of digital skills in today’s economy. To ensure its employees are equipped for the digital future, it launched "Academies," a training program covering digital technology, customer service, and management. This program is available to all Walmart employees through online and in-person sessions. Additionally, Walmart partners with several organizations to extend technology access and training to underserved communities.
• Amazon is heavily investing in digital upskilling with its "Upskilling 2025" initiative, which aims to provide training to 100,000 employees across the U.S. by 2025. The program offers various paths, including apprenticeships, technical certifications, and on-site training in areas like cloud computing, machine learning, and cybersecurity. This large-scale effort is designed to equip its workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a digital economy.

As disruptive technologies like AI continue to emerge, many jobs will change, with some roles disappearing and others being created. It’s clear that most, if not all, jobs in large companies will undergo massive transformation. Even though the full scope of these changes is uncertain, at 喜力 , we are committed to preparing our people for the future by investing in their training to leverage new technologies.

We’ve made significant progress in recent years, but more work is needed. Operators in our Supply Chain are being trained to work with advanced digital tools, while our Sales team, known for their strong relationships and experience, is now learning to incorporate data-driven approaches into their daily interactions with customers.

In the Digital & Technology function, we are constantly upskilling our employees through training programs on customer-centricity, design thinking, and agile methodologies. We offer access to internal online learning libraries, complemented by LinkedIn for Learning resources. For more technical training, employees can pursue certifications such as “nano-degrees” through Udacity , which provide specialized skills in areas like Data Science, Programming, and Artificial Intelligence.

In a rapidly changing world where digital talent is scarce, we must ensure that everyone is included in this journey. We cannot become the best-connected brewer without investing in the digital skills of all our employees. Together, we will become future-ready, shaping not just our future, but also the future of beer and beyond!

?

#BestConnectedBrewer #DigitalDivide #Trends #Upskilling #ContinuousLearning