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UNESCO advances AI and ICT teacher training in Tanzania

UNESCO, together with the University of Dodoma, the Tanzania Institute of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government, has trained 1,492 pre-service teachers to strengthen the integration of digital technologies in Tanzanian classrooms.

The programme introduced participants to Tanzania’s 2025 ICT Competency Standards for Teachers through the Tanzania Institute of Education’s learning management system. Training covered AI in education, internet safety, cybersecurity, digital citizenship, digital assessment and learner-centred teaching methods.

According to UNESCO, the initiative aims to strengthen teachers’ digital competencies and support the effective and responsible use of technology in classrooms. Participants said the practical training increased their confidence in using digital tools and applying AI responsibly in line with Tanzania’s curriculum and national education priorities.

The training forms part of the ICT Transforming Education in Africa Phase III project, funded by South Korea, and supports Tanzania’s wider digital transformation strategy for education. It was delivered at the University of Dodoma.

Why does it matter?

Preparing teachers to use AI and digital technologies effectively is becoming a central part of education policy worldwide. Equipping future educators with technical skills, digital literacy and responsible AI practices can help ensure that new technologies improve learning rather than widen existing educational gaps.

The programme also illustrates how teacher training is evolving beyond basic ICT skills to include AI, cybersecurity and digital citizenship. As countries integrate AI into education, building educator capacity is increasingly recognised as essential for successful and responsible digital transformation.

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China promotes inclusive AI governance at Shanghai conference

China has pushed back against claims that its open-source AI strategy and cooperation with developing countries are intended to expand its geopolitical influence.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on 16 July that AI development affects all humanity and should be guided by openness, inclusion and stronger international governance.

He called for efforts to narrow digital and technological divides, strengthen AI safety and give developing countries greater access to the benefits of the technology.

Lin also criticised technological restrictions and attempts to divide AI development along ideological lines, saying China supports sharing experience and expanding global AI innovation.

The comments came ahead of the World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, which opened in Shanghai on 17 July and runs until 20 July.

At the opening ceremony, President Xi Jinping called for a global AI governance system centred on openness, inclusion, safety and shared development.

The conference brings together government representatives, international organisations, researchers and technology companies to discuss AI development and governance.

China is using the event to present international cooperation, open-source development and capacity-building for developing countries as central elements of its approach to global AI governance.

Why does it matter?

China’s position reflects growing competition over who shapes global AI standards, infrastructure and access. Its emphasis on open-source models and capacity-building may appeal to developing countries seeking affordable technology, while also strengthening Beijing’s influence in global AI governance. The debate, therefore, concerns both narrowing the AI divide and the strategic dependencies that may emerge around models, infrastructure and technical standards.

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ONS reports growing concern about AI in Great Britain

Public concern about AI is growing across Great Britain, with more adults believing its risks outweigh its benefits, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The survey found that 38% of adults believed AI’s risks outweighed its benefits, up from 25% in August 2024. Only 13% said the benefits outweighed the risks, while 43% considered them broadly balanced.

Despite growing concerns, 36% of respondents said AI would benefit them personally, although 27% disagreed, the highest share recorded since the ONS began asking the question in November 2023. Younger adults remained considerably more optimistic than older respondents.

Misinformation, privacy and security emerged as the public’s main concerns. Around 81% of respondents believed AI would make fake information harder to identify, 77% worried personal data could be used without consent and 63% expected greater exposure to cybercrime.

Nearly half of adults under 50 also believed AI could threaten their jobs, while trust remained very low for high-impact uses such as government decision-making (4%) and caregiving (5%).

Public concern contrasted with more limited expectations of personal benefit. While respondents identified education, workplace assistance and household support as AI’s main advantages, 41% said the technology would have no positive impact on their own lives.

Why does it matter?

The findings suggest that public acceptance of AI is becoming a key governance challenge alongside technological development. Growing concerns about misinformation, privacy, cybersecurity and employment could make citizens less willing to embrace AI unless governments and companies demonstrate that effective safeguards are in place.

The survey also highlights a widening gap between rapid AI deployment and public confidence. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into public services and everyday life, trust, transparency and accountability may prove just as important as technical capability in determining how quickly the technology is adopted.

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Germany expands Social Platform into national digital welfare portal

Germany has decided to expand its existing Social Platform into the country’s central digital portal for social services, creating a single entry point for accessing welfare benefits online. The decision was taken by the expert panel on the digitalisation of welfare state reform and builds on infrastructure already developed between 2021 and 2023.

The platform will gradually evolve into a nationwide one-stop shop supporting fully digital benefit applications, processing and notifications. It already provides benefit searches, online applications and advisory services, while integrating with Germany’s National Once-Only Technical System (NOOTS) to retrieve data from public registers.

Secure identification is currently provided through BundID, with support for the future European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) planned.

The initiative also lays the foundation for common data governance across Germany’s social administration. Future work will define shared data standards, interfaces and governance mechanisms while integrating the platform with the planned Deutschland-App. The expert panel overseeing the reform will continue its work until the end of 2027.

The government said the reform is intended to simplify access to social benefits, improve administrative efficiency and modernise employment and social administration through interoperable digital public services.

Why does it matter?

The initiative represents one of Germany’s most significant digital government reforms, replacing fragmented access to welfare services with a common digital platform. By combining shared infrastructure, interoperable data systems and digital identity, the project aims to simplify how citizens interact with public administration while improving efficiency across government.

The integration of NOOTS, BundID and the future EUDI Wallet also aligns Germany’s welfare modernisation with wider European efforts to build interoperable digital public services. The project illustrates how digital identity, data governance and common technical standards are becoming central components of public-sector transformation.

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Three in four young Europeans have basic digital skills, Eurostat says

Nearly three out of four young people in the EU had at least basic digital skills in 2025, according to new Eurostat data released to mark World Youth Skills Day. However, the figures also reveal persistent disparities between Member States.

Denmark recorded the highest share of digitally skilled young people at 92.1%, followed by Czechia (91.7%) and Malta (91.5%). Bulgaria (52.8%) and Romania (53.3%) ranked lowest, remaining the only EU countries where fewer than six in ten young people possessed at least basic digital skills.

The data also show that young women outperformed young men across the EU. In 2025, 75.9% of women aged 16 to 24 had at least basic digital skills, compared with 73.3% of men.

Women recorded higher levels of digital skills in 22 EU member states, with the largest gaps in Cyprus, Slovenia and Austria. Men performed better in only five countries, with the widest differences in Malta and Romania.

Eurostat’s Digital Skills Indicator measures competencies across five areas: information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, safety, and problem solving. Individuals are classified as having at least basic digital skills if they demonstrate at least one relevant activity in each area.

Why does it matter?

Digital skills are increasingly essential for education, employment and participation in the digital economy. While the latest figures show that most young Europeans possess at least basic digital competencies, the wide differences between Member States suggest that access to digital education and training remains uneven across the EU.

Closing these gaps will be important for achieving the EU’s Digital Decade objectives, which depend on a digitally skilled workforce capable of supporting economic competitiveness, innovation and the wider adoption of emerging technologies such as AI.

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Canada invests CAD 13.9 million in Quebec AI projects

The Government of Canada has announced nearly CAD 13.9 million (approximately €8.8 million) in funding for 63 AI projects across Quebec under the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII), aiming to accelerate AI adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The funding will support projects focused on both developing AI technologies and integrating AI into existing business operations. The government said the initiative will help SMEs improve productivity, develop innovative solutions and strengthen regional economic growth.

According to the government, the programme is expected to support more than 1,700 jobs across Quebec while helping businesses innovate more quickly, improve operational efficiency and seize new commercial opportunities. The announcement was made by Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon on behalf of Industry Minister Mélanie Joly.

The investment forms part of Canada’s broader ‘AI for All’ strategy, launched in June 2026, which aims to expand access to AI, promote responsible adoption, strengthen domestic innovation and reinforce Canada’s digital sovereignty.

The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative will continue operating in Quebec until March 2031. Canadian officials said the programme is intended to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems, expand AI capabilities among businesses and position Quebec as a leading centre for AI talent and technological development.

According to the government, combining responsible AI adoption with targeted regional investment will strengthen competitiveness while ensuring the benefits of AI are shared more broadly across businesses and communities.

Why does it matter?

The initiative reflects Canada’s growing focus on regional AI development rather than concentrating investment solely in major technology hubs. Supporting AI adoption among SMEs could help spread productivity gains more widely across the economy while strengthening local innovation ecosystems.

The programme also illustrates how industrial policy is becoming an important component of national AI strategies. By combining public funding, regional development and responsible AI governance, Canada is seeking to strengthen long-term competitiveness while reinforcing domestic technological capacity.

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UK establishes ministerial group to coordinate digital inclusion

The UK government has published the terms of reference for a new ministerial group created to coordinate digital inclusion policy across departments, aiming to improve access to digital services, technologies and skills.

The Ministerial Group for Digital Inclusion will set the government’s strategic direction, agree a shared vision and identify priorities for improving digital inclusion across the UK.

Its work will focus on embedding digital inclusion into policy design, public service delivery and existing government governance structures. The group will also monitor progress across departments with support from official-level bodies.

The forum brings together ministers responsible for key policy areas affecting digital inclusion, including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury, Cabinet Office, Department for Education, Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department of Health and Social Care, and Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

The group will not have formal decision-making powers, with policy decisions remaining the responsibility of individual departments. Instead, it will coordinate common approaches and encourage joint action on digital inclusion priorities.

They will meet quarterly and be chaired by Baroness Lloyd of Effra, Minister for Digital Economy. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Digital Inclusion and Skills Unit will provide secretariat support.

Meetings will review strategy, implementation challenges, departmental cooperation and progress against agreed priorities, with the secretariat responsible for preparing papers and tracking agreed actions.

The ministerial group will be supported by the cross-government Digital Inclusion Strategy Board, while the government plans to publish meeting summaries and keep the group’s role under regular review.

Why does it matter?

Digital exclusion affects access to education, employment, healthcare and public services, making it a cross-government policy challenge rather than the responsibility of a single department. The new ministerial group is intended to improve coordination and ensure digital inclusion is considered more consistently across government.

Its success, however, will depend on whether departments translate shared priorities into funded programmes, measurable outcomes and lasting policy changes rather than treating the forum as a coordination mechanism alone.

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South Korea to launch free national AI service

South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT has announced plans to launch the ‘AI for Everyone’ project this year, providing a homegrown AI service that anyone in the country can use free of charge without usage limits.

The ministry will select participating companies through an open call for proposals. A beta version is scheduled for late September, followed by the launch of a general-purpose AI chatbot and an AI agent to help users search for and apply for public services.

According to the ministry, the project aims to reduce reliance on overseas AI services while narrowing the digital divide. It also responds to concerns about restrictions on free AI services and possible changes by global technology companies. The nationwide service is expected to launch before the end of 2026.

Why does it matter?

The initiative combines digital inclusion with technological sovereignty by offering unrestricted access to a domestically developed AI service. Removing cost and usage limits could broaden AI adoption while integrating generative AI more closely into public services.

The project also reflects a wider international trend of governments investing in national AI capabilities to reduce dependence on foreign providers. As AI becomes part of essential digital infrastructure, countries are increasingly seeking greater control over the services, platforms and data that underpin public-sector AI deployment.

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Australia’s eSafety report highlights gaps in child safety measures

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has published its third transparency report assessing how major technology companies are tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse under the country’s Basic Online Safety Expectations.

The report concludes that significant gaps remain across major platforms, particularly in responding to the growing threat of sexual extortion targeting children and young adults.

The report examines the practices of Apple, Discord, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Snap and WhatsApp, highlighting shortcomings in proactive detection technologies, reporting tools and safety measures. According to eSafety, many platforms in Australia are not fully using available technologies, including language analysis tools capable of identifying coercive scripts used by offenders.

The report also identifies weaknesses in reporting mechanisms across several messaging services and notes that private messaging and video environments remain particularly challenging for detecting sexual extortion and livestreamed child sexual abuse.

Between July and December 2025, eSafety received more than 2,000 complaints relating to sexual extortion, with men aged 18 to 24 accounting for the largest group of victims. Separate research with the Australian Institute of Criminology found that more than one in ten adolescents aged 16 to 18 had experienced sexual extortion, while more than half of victims were first targeted before the age of 16.

The report also notes that Microsoft is currently the only provider using dedicated tools to detect and disrupt livestreamed child sexual abuse during video calls.

While eSafety acknowledged incremental improvements—including Google’s and Snap’s enhanced detection of known child sexual abuse material, Meta’s expanded grooming detection and Discord’s blocking of known child sexual abuse URLs—it argued that much stronger action is still needed.

The Commissioner called for wider deployment of proactive detection technologies, faster responses to victim reports and greater investment in tools capable of preventing abuse before it occurs.

Why does it matter?

The report highlights growing regulatory expectations that online platforms should actively prevent child sexual exploitation rather than rely primarily on user reports. As threats such as sexual extortion become more sophisticated, regulators are increasingly scrutinising whether companies are deploying available technologies to detect and disrupt abuse.

The findings also reinforce a broader shift towards safety-by-design in online regulation. By identifying gaps in detection, reporting and intervention, the report could increase pressure on technology companies to strengthen protections across messaging, social media and video services.

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OpenAI brings ChatGPT back to WhatsApp across the EEA

OpenAI has restored ChatGPT on WhatsApp across the European Economic Area (EEA), allowing users to access the chatbot through the verified 1-800-CHATGPT contact number.

Users can start chatting by messaging +1-800-242-8478 on WhatsApp without creating or linking a ChatGPT account. Availability is determined by the country code associated with the user’s WhatsApp number and may roll out gradually across the region.

ChatGPT on WhatsApp supports text conversations in multiple languages, image uploads, voice notes, and image generation. Users who link their ChatGPT accounts receive higher usage limits, though linking remains optional.

Usage limits, and OpenAI says the service is intended for users aged 13 and over. As with other ChatGPT products, the company warns that responses may contain mistakes.

The launch expands OpenAI’s presence of messaging platforms, following ChatGPT integrations with Kakao in South Korea and Viber in supported markets.

Why does it matter?

The return of ChatGPT on WhatsApp makes generative AI more accessible by bringing it into one of the world’s most widely used messaging platforms. Users can interact with the chatbot without downloading a dedicated app or creating an account, lowering barriers to adoption.

The rollout also reflects a broader trend towards embedding AI assistants within familiar communication platforms rather than requiring users to switch between separate applications. As messaging services become gateways to AI, they are increasingly evolving into everyday productivity and information tools.

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