Digital technologies, spearheaded by artificial intelligence, are undergoing rapid and transformative breakthroughs. Their applications are now deeply embedded in various domains, including the economy, politics, society, culture, and ecological sustainability, creating industrial revolution-level opportunities for global development. History has shown that nations or regions able to seize the momentum of technological change often achieve rapid economic growth and significant improvements in overall competitiveness. Today, countries around the world are racing to develop their digital economies, seeking to advance industrialization through digital transformation and thereby achieve their medium- and long-term development goals.

Multiple Challenges Faced by Developing Countries in Building a Digital Economy 

International class students attentively listen during the Advanced Training on Digital Economy Innovation and Development.

As a new form of economic activity, the digital economy relies heavily on both professional talent and robust infrastructure. However, developing countries often face several common challenges:

1. Talent Shortages:A lack of qualified digital professionals is one of the most pressing issues. In many developing nations, existing workforces often lack digital thinking and a deep understanding of how the digital economy functions. This knowledge gap impedes the formulation and implementation of effective digital strategies. 

2. Weak Innovation Capabilities:The digital economy is a technology-intensive innovative economic model. However, many developing countries struggle with limited capacity for independent research and development in digital technologies, which hampers efforts to achieve deep integration between digital industrialization and the digital transformation of traditional industries.

3. Underdeveloped Digital Governance Frameworks:Institutional mechanisms that govern the digital economy—particularly those centered around data as a key production factor—are either absent or underdeveloped in many countries. In some cases, existing regulatory frameworks are misaligned with national realities, further complicating governance efforts.

4. Inadequate Digital Infrastructure:Efficient operation of the digital economy is highly dependent on reliable infrastructure. Yet in many developing countries, network infrastructure remains insufficiently developed, making it difficult to scale or implement digital industrial use cases.

Talent Development as the Core Driver to Enhance Digital Capabilities in Developing Countries

Membership class students attentively listen during the Advanced Training on Digital Economy Innovation and Development.

As the world's second-largest economy, China has leveraged its vast market scale, comprehensive industrial ecosystem, and abundant data resources to accumulate extensive experience in digital economy development. To promote inclusive global digital growth, China has actively launched a series of talent training initiatives and supported the capacity building of digital talent teams in developing countries—working to ensure broader access to the dividends of digital transformation.

The World Internet Conference Digital Academy (WICDA) was officially launched in November 2024 to focus on key areas of the digital economy. The goal is to conduct training programs globally, especially for developing countries, to cultivate digital talents, empowering governments and enterprises in their digital transformation, and bridging the global digital divide. The Advanced Training on Digital Economy Innovation and Development, jointly organized by the World Internet Conference Digital Academy and the Data and Technical Support Center of the Cyberspace Administration of China, was successfully held during the 2025 World Internet Conference Digital Silk Road Development Forum. Under the theme "Digital Economy and Data Compliance", the program attracted government officials and business representatives from 26 countries and regions. Through a combination of specialized courses, cultural experiences, and forum engagement, participants explored critical issues such as data governance, cross-border data flows, and the upgrading of digital trade and related industries in the digital age.

Tailored to the evolving needs of the global digital economy, the Academy developed a curriculum covering key topics such as data development and security, global data flows, digital economy regulations, and digital trade. Experts from the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Belt and Road School of Beijing Normal University, and the Asia Academy of Digital Economics served as instructors. Through case studies, trend analysis, and interactive discussions, it equipped participants with cutting-edge knowledge, essential skills, and a clearer understanding of future trends in the digital economy.

Building Strong Momentum for Digital Transformation Centered on Talent

Group photo of the international students

Digital talent training programs—exemplified by the Advanced Training on Digital Economy Innovation and Development—are injecting critical momentum into the digital transformation of developing countries:

1. Expanding the Digital Talent PoolThrough systematic and targeted training, such programs significantly enhance both the scale and quality of digital workforces, thereby laying a solid human capital foundation for digital transformation across developing nations.2. Enhancing Digital Governance CapacityDigital governance—defined as the application of digital technologies to manage and deliver services across government, society, and the economy—relies fundamentally on skilled talent. A well-trained digital workforce supports the design and optimization of institutional mechanisms related to data governance and underpins the formulation and implementation of high-standard digital economy strategies.3. Empowering Regional Economic GrowthComprehensive digital talent development boosts indigenous innovation capabilities, accelerates both digital industrialization and the digital transformation of traditional sectors, and supports national and regional policy goals. For instance, ASEAN's Digital Masterplan 2025 aims to build a sustainable digital talent ecosystem. China's training initiatives actively contribute to this vision by reinforcing the regional talent base.4. Bridging the Digital DivideBy rapidly enhancing the capabilities of local digital professionals, these programs help close regional development gaps and promote more equitable access to the benefits of digital progress, facilitating the global sharing of digital dividends.

In addition, digital talent initiatives also enhance the international voice and influence of developing countries in global digital governance. Multilateral dialogue and exchanges foster a deeper understanding of transnational governance challenges, help build emerging consensus, and lay the intellectual groundwork for broader participation in global digital rulemaking.

In conclusion, the cultivation of digital talent is not only a vehicle for technological empowerment, but also a strategic pivot point through which developing countries can seize the opportunities of the new industrial revolution and achieve leapfrog development. Looking ahead, it is imperative to further deepen international cooperation, continue delivering high-quality digital economy training programs, and foster an open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial digital talent ecosystem—injecting new vitality into sustainable development worldwide.