Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Senior Presidential Advisor on the Digital Economy and Chairman of GovTech Sri Lanka, participated as a speaker at the 2026 Global AI and Digital Summit in Seoul, South Korea, focusing on expanding global connectivity and bridging the digital divide in developing countries.
Dr. Wijayasuriya joined a high-level plenary session titled “The Last 2.6 Billion: Is Universal Connectivity a Broken Promise in the AI Era?” held at the Grand Hyatt in Seoul.
The discussion focused on the challenge of connecting the estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide who remain without internet access, particularly those living in rural and underserved communities, as artificial intelligence increasingly shapes the global economy. Participants examined the need to expand telecommunications infrastructure while accommodating growing investment requirements for AI technologies. The discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring that the rapid development of AI does not deepen existing inequalities in digital access.
The panel brought together policymakers, international development specialists and private sector leaders to explore practical approaches to accelerating connectivity in developing countries.
The session was moderated by José Juan Haro, Co-founder of Allyence Consulting, and featured Ethiopis Tafara, Vice President for the Africa Region at the International Finance Corporation; Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Pakistan’s Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication; Farouk Ramji, Group CEO of Mawingu; and Ben Wreschner, Chief Economist and Head of Public Affairs at Vodafone.
Discussions centred on innovative investment models, emerging technologies, public-private partnerships and policy reforms to overcome barriers to expanding digital infrastructure.
The participants also explored the need to move beyond traditional connectivity strategies and develop sustainable solutions capable of reaching communities that remain excluded from digital services.
Daily News