King Charles III’s charity, The King’s Trust, has lifted the lid on a major new frontline in global inequality as artificial intelligence (AI) is due to take the world by storm.

The Future of Work report, published this month by The King’s Trust, suggests the coming AI boom could level the playing field but warns “without equitable access, the digital revolution risks entrenching or even exacerbating already existing global inequalities.”

President is in a move he hopes will create 100,000 American jobs.

Yet at the same, there are some around the world who still struggle to access devices like laptops and computers almost 50 years after sent her first email in 1976.

“The world is in the midst of a workplace digital revolution,” the trust’s 2025 Future of Work Report reads. “Digital jobs are widespread; digital skills are increasingly essential. Even in low-income countries, many jobs require basic use of a computer or smartphone. Increasing numbers of jobs require the use of basic programmes such as email and spreadsheets. In the future, many more jobs will require ever higher levels of digital skills and digital literacy.”

It continued: “Yet, young people face several barriers to acquiring these skills: education systems often fall short, technology is rapidly changing so skills become obsolete, access to devices and data is not always available due to income constraints, and women face additional challenges in gaining access to skills and devices.

“The digital revolution poses an opportunity to level the playing field, but it is clear that without equitable access, the digital revolution risks entrenching or even exacerbating already existing global inequalities.”

The report also suggests young people do not necessarily pick up the specific digital skills they need at school because technology changes too quickly for courses to keep up.

“Additionally, in some countries, there is a gender gap in digital skills, with women facing additional challenges in accessing digital opportunities,” it reads.

It suggests a new approach is needed from governments, educators and employers, with updated education policies, digital skills embedded across subjects and training in the workplace.

“The calibre of tools is also important. You cannot be a data analyst without having a laptop. There’s no way not even the basic laptop but a very a good one. So, finance also affects [it],” a 22-year-old man from Nigeria quoted in the report said.

Not everyone is pessimistic about the future though. David Black, a senior director at UK, joined a panel discussion on the trust’s report on March 18.

“AI has the potential to transform the working lives of future generations for the better, supercharging the creativity of young people as they work to solve the greatest challenges of our generation,” he told Regalrumination.com. “We can only fully unlock this potential by equipping everyone with digital skills.”

He added: “That’s why we’re passionate about the work that The King’s Trust is doing to empower young people with vital digital skills that will improve their employment prospects and help them to achieve their full potential.”

And Paul Veitch, Accenture’s managing director, EMEA Head of Generative AI and Next Generation Solutions, told Regalrumination.com: “Digital skills are vital in modern society, and access to technology can create numerous opportunities for education, employment, and personal development. Education plays a pivotal role in promoting digital equity, as it equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital landscape.”

He added: “Employers play a significant role by offering training programs, providing necessary resources, and fostering inclusive workplace environments. Collaboration is key to addressing digital equity, as it requires a multifaceted approach involving access, skills, and support. I believe that through our collective efforts, we can bridge the digital divide and empower individuals to thrive in a technology-driven world.”

The King’s Trust summit on March 18 also heard from Oluwatosin Rotimi, 27, who set up a fashion business in Nigeria.

She told Regalrumination.com: “In the early days, I lacked a laptop, forcing me to rely on my mobile phone for critical tasks like creating pitch decks (during an entrepreneurship program with KTI/Nerdz factory/British Council), taking online courses (especially my first cybersecurity class and accelerator programs), and designing marketing materials for my brand.

“Stable internet was another hurdle, there were times I had to travel long distances to access a friend’s computer or secure reliable internet.

“The high cost of digital resources, including cloud computing services and AI tools,
also posed significant barriers.

“Some of my team members, whom I onboarded to build SellDome, are youths and fresh graduates from average-income families who lacked access to the necessary technical tools. These challenges made it difficult to fully implement tech-driven solutions in my startup.”

Williams Brown is chief royal correspondent for Regalrumination.com, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly , at and read his stories on Regalrumination.com‘s .

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