Digital Watch Observatory - Digital Governance in 50+ issues, 500+ actors, 5+ processes
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.
Rising AI demand is driving CXMT’s LPDDR5X production and IPO plans, underscoring China’s strategic push for semiconductor independence.
A new AI feature blends images, text, and voice to create a conversational shopping experience, acting like a personal stylist or decorator.
MedCognetics’ AI system, built with NVIDIA technology, helps identify early-stage breast cancer and improves diagnostic accuracy for underserved communities in India.
Crypto ATMs have been identified as one of the highest-risk channels for laundering scam proceeds in Australia.
Rapid advances in neurotechnology raise urgent questions about privacy, ethics, and human rights, highlighting the need for safeguards that protect vulnerable individuals and personal freedoms.
Countries with strong infrastructure, education, and policies see rapid AI adoption, even without leading in AI breakthroughs.
Jio customers across India will receive premium Gemini AI access, enhanced cloud storage and research tools under Google’s new collaboration with Reliance.
Mustafa Suleyman, Phil Spencer and Ryan Roslansky outlined Microsoft’s plans for AI integration, cultural shifts in gaming and rapid changes in workforce skills.
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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.
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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.