Digital Watch Observatory - Digital Governance in 50+ issues, 500+ actors, 5+ processes
Leaked plans propose a single breach portal, a higher threshold, and 96-hour reporting.
As we get closer to the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting dedicated to the 20-year review of the implementation of outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), a new version of the outcome document has been released. We look at some of the main changes compared to the zero draft.
Using augmented reality, a woman in Japan 'married' her customised AI partner created on ChatGPT.
AI agent takes centre stage in Minecraft Education's coding demo.
Analysts warn freeze tools may centralise power without strong governance.
The shift to Qwen marks Alibaba's effort to convert its AI model progress into sustainable, user-focused services.
By addressing AI, artistic freedom, and access inequalities, the Commission seeks to make culture central to policy, economy, and society.
Communities in Georgia and Wisconsin raise concerns about noise, power and water.
The UK government introduces personalised AI attendance goals and toolkits to reduce variation and boost pupil participation across English schools.
Must read
Analysis
The AI soldier and the ethics of war
AI is transforming warfare from a human-driven struggle into a machine-guided simulation, raising urgent questions about the future of ethics, accountability, and humanity on the battlefield.
Analysis
The rise of large language models and the question of ownership
Balancing open access and corporate ownership of these models will determine whether AI becomes a shared global good or a private monopoly.
Analysis
Most transformative decade begins as Kurzweil’s AI vision unfolds
Ray Kurzweil predicted AI would change everything. The 2020s may prove him right.
Analysis
Is the world ready for AI to rule justice?
AI is reshaping the justice system with unprecedented efficiency, but true progress depends on whether humanity is ready to balance innovation with responsibility and ethical judgement.
DW monthly
Digital Watch newsletter – Issue 104 – October 2025
Issue 104: In our October 2025 issue, we unpacked new rules for children’s online spaces and examined the global struggle to steer AI. We analysed shifting rare-earth supply chains and what recent cloud outages reveal about digital resilience. We also looked back at the signing of the UN Cybercrime Convention. We also recapped key Geneva events shaping the future of international digital governance.
DW WEEKLY
Weekly #237 A rare-earth pause in a long geopolitical game
Plus, Nvidia and Nexperia face issues, Xi calls for a global AI body, Denmark drops Chat Control proposal, states press for extension of digital‑trade tariff moratorium at WTO, and UNESCO adopts the first global ethical framework for neurotechnology.
DW at a glance
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WSIS+20 Process
The year 2025 marks 20 years since the finalisation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and a review process looking at 20 years of WSIS outcomes implementation will conclude with a high-level meeting at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), in December. This page keeps track of the process leading to the UNGA meeting in December 2025. It also provides background information about WSIS and related activities and processes since 1998.
Explore the Observatory
Digital Technologies
From internet applications to quantum computing, we focus on advanced and emerging digital technologies which are increasingly reshaping our economies and societies.
Clusters of Policy topics
We unpack digital policy by exploring over 50 topics – from access and sustainable development to network security and the future of work – classified in 7 clusters.
Processes
Follow some of the most important digital policy processes, from the EU's work on the Digital Services Act/Digital Markets Act to the UN Cybercrime Ad Hoc Committee.