THE CHALLENGE

Bridging Knowledge Gaps in a
Rapidly Changing Digital World

Across Africa and much of the Global South, millions of people interact with media, technology, and artificial intelligence every day — yet lack the knowledge, skills, and confidence to use them critically, safely, and productively.
This gap is not about intelligence or effort. It is about access, exposure, and opportunity. At OtownGist Creative Hub, we describe this challenge as knowledge poverty — and it is quietly shaping who gets heard, who gets misled, and who gets left behind.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. The Challenge

THE CHALLENGE

Knowledge Poverty in Everyday Life

Knowledge poverty shows up in simple, familiar ways:

A student scrolling through social media without knowing how to verify information.
A community leader sharing false news because it feels urgent and emotional.
A small business owner unsure how digital tools could grow their reach.
A journalist under pressure to publish fast, without adequate digital or AI support.

These are not isolated problems. They affect:

  • trust in media

  • civic participation

  • education outcomes

  • economic opportunity

When people lack the tools to understand and shape information, they become consumers of narratives, not contributors to them.

dO NOT OVERLOOK IT

AI, Misinformation & Digital Exclusion

Artificial intelligence is accelerating this gap.

AI tools now influence:

  • what news people see

  • how stories are written and amplified

  • how images, audio, and video are manipulated

  • how decisions are automated

Yet for many ordinary people, AI feels distant, confusing, or dangerous — something happening to them, not with them.

THE FEAR

Without AI literacy:

  • misinformation spreads faster

  • trust in media erodes

  • communities become vulnerable to manipulation

  • opportunities created by technology benefit only a few

The challenge is not whether AI will shape society — it already is.
The challenge is who understands it, who controls it, and who benefits from it.

Why Media & AI Literacy Matter Now

Media and AI literacy are no longer optional skills.
They are life skills.

These are not isolated problems. They affect:

To participate meaningfully in today’s world, people must be able to:

  • Question what they see and hear
  • Understand how technology shapes narratives
  • Create content responsibly and ethically
  • Use digital and AI tools with intention, not fear

For journalists, educators, faith leaders, community organizers, and young people, these skills determine whether information empowers or harms.

Without intervention, the gap widens.
With the right support, it becomes a bridge.

</section

View Our Training Programs

From Challenge to Action

These are not isolated problems. They affect:

Understanding the challenge is only the first step.

At OtownGist Creative Hub, we translate this challenge into action through:

  • Hands-on learning programs
  • Media and AI literacy training
  • Community storytelling and production
  • Initiatives like the Digital Bridge Initiative, designed to close gaps at scale

These are not isolated problems. They affect:

Why This Challenge Requires Local Solutions

Many global digital solutions fail because they are not grounded in local realities.

Language, culture, access levels, trust, and lived experience matter.

OtownGist Creative Hub was built within the communities we serve — not as an abstract idea, but as a practical response to real needs. We believe solutions to knowledge poverty must be:

  • Locally rooted
  • Culturally aware
  • Ethically grounded
  • Practically delivered

This is why our work combines training, media practice, community engagement, and applied AI literacy — meeting people where they are, and walking with them forward.

Discover the Digital Bridge Initiative

READY TO ACT?

+234 814 749 9358

Whether you are an individual seeking skills, an organization seeking impact, or a partner ready to collaborate, there is a role for you in bridging this gap.

Contact Us