How Broadening AI Access Can Help Bridge the Digital Divide

With artificial intelligence (AI) technologies becoming increasingly prevalent in educational settings and beyond, it is crucial to examine how paid AI services will increase disparities in digital access and literacy. GenAI resources can be valuable educational tools, but their cost may exacerbate the digital divide between wealthy and low-income students. By offering free access to the paid version of their products to financially struggling students, AI companies can help level the playing field. This would give financially disadvantaged students equal opportunity to benefit from AI-assisted research, writing support, and personalized tutoring. Reducing the digital divide in this way could lead to improved academic outcomes and career prospects for low-income students. It may also foster innovation by enabling a more diverse group of future professionals to gain early experience with GenAI technologies.