Digital Watch Observatory - Digital Governance in 50+ issues, 500+ actors, 5+ processes
Researchers discovered that AI models respond most accurately to specific language prompts, with English ranking only sixth among 26 tested languages.
Brende called for multilateral cooperation to address pandemics, cybercrime, and investment challenges while ensuring technology benefits are widely shared.
Theta Labs says the partnership expands its decentralised infrastructure for AI and media applications.
Experts advise treating AI as a helper, not a decision-maker, to prevent costly workplace mistakes.
Sneaks combines experimental technology with community feedback to shape the future of creative tools.
Brain-inspired neural networks are helping AI models work smarter, cut energy use, and boost performance by mimicking how the human brain organises and prunes connections.
Seemingly conscious AI could spur campaigns for AI rights and deepen social division, according to Microsoft AI's Mustafa Suleyman.
Over 28 million adults in the UK are turning to AI for budgeting and savings, signalling a shift in personal finance habits.
Humain is Saudi Arabia’s new AI company, aiming to revolutionise the kingdom’s tech landscape with Arabic-language tools, multi-billion-dollar deals, and ambitious global AI goals.
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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.
Analysis
The AI gold rush where the miners are broke
Billions chase AI's promise while profits hide in the server room, drowned by power bills, depreciation, and unrealistic goals.
Analysis
The global struggle to regulate children’s social media use
From Australia to Greece and China, policymakers are exploring how to balance safety, freedom and accountability in children’s use of social media.
DW monthly
Digital Watch newsletter – Issue 103 – September 2025
Issue 103: In our September 2025 issue, we unpack how AI and digital issues took centre stage at UNGA80, and explore the strategic importance of open-source AI, the rise of AI-generated 'slop' on social media, and TikTok’s American makeover. We examined how the global chip race is reshaping notions of sovereignty, and how Nepal’s “Discord democracy” turned a banned platform into a ballot box. We also looked at growing calls to limit children’s online access and recapped key Geneva events shaping the future of international digital governance.
DW WEEKLY
Weekly #236 Promise and peril: The world signs on to the UN’s new cybercrime treaty in Hanoi
Plus, regulators close in on Big Tech, Washington redraws tech alliances with Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing, Europe tightens grip as Nexperia cuts off Chinese plant, Microsoft Azure outage underlines global cloud vulnerability.
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.