From herding to coding: the Mongolian NGO bridging the digital divide

We live in a world struggling with multiple inequalities, including gender, education and income. And then there is technology: 2.6 billion people lack internet access, according to the International Telecommunication Union. On top of this, the world soon faces a divide with AI. With new technological advances, this particular inequality gap will continue to grow if we do not act now.

UNESCO reports that only 35% of STEM graduates are women, a figure that has stagnated over the last decade; this gap is even more pronounced in rural and disadvantaged communities. Mongolia’s Girls Code programme was founded with the mission of empowering young girls with the coding skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. By focusing on inclusivity, we aim to ensure that no one is left behind in the digitized future and to use technology to solve problems of inequality.

Girls Code offers three-month boot camps over the summer school break. The programme specifically targets girls from nomadic and disadvantaged communities who do not have access to internet and educational resources.

Over 110 girls between the ages of 14 to 18 from all over Mongolia have graduated. Some participants, who at first did not know how to operate laptops, are now studying at Ivy League universities on scholarships, while others are using their coding skills to work as part-time coders and funding their education and family with their income. This success is not just anecdotal, but reflects the powerful ripple effect of targeted interventions.

Key impacts include:

The story of Enkhmend Davaajav, a 15-year-old from Ulaanbaatar with a hearing impairment, showcases the power of inclusivity in action. Through Girls Code, Enkhmend not only learned how to code, but also found a community where inclusivity is celebrated. With the help of her peer Doljinsuren Ulziibayar, who had previously learned sign language through UNICEF’s Teen Parliament initiative, Enkhmend was able to fully engage with her fellow participants.

Their collaboration epitomizes what Girls Code stands for: bridging gaps in gender, geography and ability. Together, these young girls are not just learning how to code, they are reimagining what a more inclusive tech industry could look like.

Working on Girls Code, the Nomadic Girls Association in the Digital Age NGO also received many requests from parents with boys, and even herders who wanted to understand technology better. In countries like Mongolia that lack upskilling and reskilling programmes, there is obvious demand across the board. So, with the goal of democratizing access to AI and offering education in coding for learners of all ages and to under-represented groups other than girls, we started the AI Academy Asia platform.

With AI Academy Asia, whose motto is AI for All, we aim to close the skills gap in AI and coding, which is critical to the future of work. A major barrier to AI adoption identified in IBM’s 2024 Global AI Adoption Index is the shortage of skilled professionals, with 33% of companies identifying limited AI skills and expertise as a top challenge. The global market for AI is expected to grow from $184 billion in 2024 to $826 billion by 2030, yet millions of jobs requiring AI skills remain unfilled.

Through accessible, mobile-friendly content that can be downloaded for offline use, AI Academy Asia ensures that even students in regions with limited internet access can benefit.

AI’s future impact on the job market is undeniable. For example, by 2030, activities that account for up to 30% of hours currently worked across the US economy could be automated – a trend accelerated by generative AI.

But in emerging markets, where AI exposure is lower, there is an opportunity to harness this technology to drive economic growth and reduce inequalities. Upskilling the next generation of workers in AI and coding, ensuring they are prepared for a digital economy is especially important for nomadic, rural and disadvantaged communities.

As we move towards a future where AI and digital skills are indispensable, we have to take a moment to look around and imagine how big inequality and related societal problems will be without initiatives to reduce the digital and AI divide. But with collective action, we can empower underserved communities and equip the next generation with the skills they need to succeed in the digital age. By strategically investing in AI education, we can enhance economic growth, improve public services and ensure that no one is left behind in the digital revolution.