UNESCO has delivered the first specialised in-person training programme on the ethical use of AI for judicial professionals in Mexico City, aiming to support the responsible adoption of AI across the country’s justice system.
More than 50 civic judges, mediators and public defenders took part in the programme, which focused on ensuring AI supports judicial processes in Mexico while respecting transparency, accountability and human rights.
The programme introduced participants to the opportunities and risks associated with AI in judicial decision-making while providing practical guidance on applying ethical safeguards in courts and public institutions.
The initiative forms part of a broader UNESCO and European Commission project supporting countries in implementing AI governance frameworks through capacity building, technical assistance and policy tools.
Participants were also introduced to UNESCO’s practical governance tools, including the Readiness Assessment Methodology, the Ethical Impact Assessment framework and Global Toolkit on AI and the Rule of Law for the Judiciary.
UNESCO emphasised that although AI is increasingly being incorporated into judicial and administrative processes, human oversight must remain central. The organisation said well-trained judicial professionals are essential to ensuring AI improves access to justice without replacing human judgement or undermining fundamental rights.
Why does it matter?
As AI becomes more common in courts and public administration, effective governance depends not only on regulation but also on the ability of judges and other legal professionals to understand the technology’s capabilities, limitations and risks. Training programmes such as this can help ensure AI supports judicial work without compromising due process, transparency or fundamental rights.
The initiative also demonstrates UNESCO’s broader approach to AI governance, combining international ethical principles with practical implementation tools. By equipping judicial institutions with guidance, assessment frameworks and technical expertise, the organisation aims to help countries translate high-level AI principles into everyday public-sector practice.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
The roadmap was developed through the Quantum Focus Technology Network (OTAĞ), coordinated by the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, Secretariat of Defence Industries. The process involved 305 experts from 123 institutions and organisations, including civilian and military stakeholders.
The roadmap classifies the 85 proposed technology topics into 34 near-term and 51 long-term priorities. Technologies were assessed using an analytical prioritisation method that considered Türkiye’s needs, existing capabilities, infrastructure, and end user requirements.
The strategy focuses on building domestic capability in quantum computing, sensing and communication by strengthening research infrastructure, developing skilled human capital and expanding cooperation between universities, industry, research centres and public institutions.
Priority steps include postgraduate programmes in quantum engineering and hardware technologies, researcher exchange and internship schemes, international research partnerships and critical infrastructure such as nanofabrication, cryogenic testing, precision measurement laboratories and sensor packaging.
The roadmap forms part of Türkiye’s wider effort to build a coordinated quantum ecosystem and improve its international competitiveness in a field with implications for cybersecurity, secure communications, advanced sensing and future computing.
Why does it matter?
Quantum technologies could reshape encryption, secure communications, sensing, navigation and high-performance computing. Türkiye’s roadmap is important because it turns quantum capability-building into a structured national programme with defence and strategic-technology relevance. By aligning universities, public institutions, industry and research centres around shared priorities, Türkiye is trying to reduce dependence on foreign technologies and position itself earlier in a field where global leadership is still being contested.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our chatbot!
Amazon has announced an additional $13 billion investment to expand AI and cloud infrastructure in India, bringing its planned investment in the country to $48 billion between 2026 and 2030.
The company said the new funding will expand AWS data centre capacity in Mumbai and Hyderabad, giving startups, enterprises and government organisations access to AI chips, managed AI services, cloud technologies and developer tools.
The announcement builds on a $35 billion investment across Amazon’s businesses in India announced in 2025. Amazon said its cumulative investments in India from 2010 to 2030 now stand at more than $88 billion.
Beyond AI and cloud infrastructure, Amazon said it will continue investing in its e-commerce and logistics network. The company plans to launch more than 20 new fulfilment centres and over 100 last-mile delivery stations across India this year, with a focus on faster deliveries in smaller cities.
Amazon said it has digitised 12 million small businesses in India, supported 2.8 million jobs, enabled more than $20 billion in cumulative e-commerce exports and trained more than 10 million people in cloud skills.
The company said its long-term priorities in India include AI-led digitisation, export growth and job creation.
Why does it matter?
Amazon’s investment highlights India’s growing role as a major market for AI infrastructure, cloud services and digital commerce. Expanding AWS capacity in Mumbai and Hyderabad could strengthen access to AI compute and cloud tools for businesses, startups and public-sector organisations. The announcement also shows how global technology companies are linking data centre investment with national priorities such as small-business digitisation, skills development, exports and job creation.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Moldova has approved a national framework regulation on academic integrity in higher education, introducing common rules on plagiarism, unauthorised use of AI and other forms of academic fraud.
The regulation, approved by the government and developed by the Ministry of Education and Research, sets a single framework that all higher education institutions in Moldova will be required to implement.
Under the new rules, students will have to declare whether they used AI in their academic work and explain how they used it. The ministry said the framework is intended to increase transparency and strengthen responsibility in the use of digital tools.
Acceptable AI use may include support functions such as proofreading, formatting or organising material, while core academic work, including analysis, interpretation and conclusions, must remain the student’s own intellectual contribution.
The regulation also classifies academic integrity violations by severity, with sanctions ranging from rewriting assignments to suspension or expulsion. Academic staff and supervisors may also face disciplinary measures if they fail to enforce integrity rules.
The framework forms part of Moldova’s wider effort to strengthen trust in higher education, including the planned use of a national anti-plagiarism system for bachelor’s and master’s theses.
Why does it matter?
Moldova’s rules show how universities are moving from informal guidance on generative AI towards enforceable academic integrity frameworks. Requiring students to disclose AI use can help distinguish between acceptable assistance and improper authorship, while preserving the value of independent analysis and critical thinking. The approach also reflects a wider education-policy challenge: institutions need to adapt assessment and integrity systems without banning useful digital tools entirely.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our chatbot!
Representatives from more than 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries have met in Santo Domingo for a regional summit on AI ethics and governance.
The Third Ministerial and High-Level Authorities Summit on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Latin America and the Caribbean took place on 25 and 26 June in the Dominican Republic. It was organised by UNESCO, the Dominican Republic’s Government Office of Information and Communication Technologies (OGTIC), and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The summit brought together ministers, senior government officials, multilateral organisations, academics, private-sector representatives and civil society to strengthen regional cooperation and accelerate the implementation of public policies aligned with the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.
UNESCO said the meeting builds on earlier summits held in Santiago in 2023 and Montevideo in 2024, as well as ongoing work to develop a shared regional roadmap for responsible AI governance.
Anne Lemaistre, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, said AI presents significant opportunities but also challenges that require coordinated regional action.
Raquel Peña, Vice President of the Dominican Republic, said the region had decided to come together to address one of the greatest challenges of the time. She said the task is to harness AI’s potential while upholding the principles that should guide its development and use.
Peña also reaffirmed the Dominican Republic’s commitment to a human-centred approach to AI. She said AI must be developed and governed with ethics, responsibility, and a profoundly human vision.
Christian Asinelli, Corporate Vice President of Strategic Programming at CAF, said Latin America and the Caribbean should play a stronger role in shaping global AI governance rather than simply adapting to international developments.
Raúl Fuentes, European Union Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, said the EU wants to work with the region on practical solutions as well as shared principles. He said the AI component of the EU-Latin America and the Caribbean Digital Alliance is supporting knowledge exchange, innovation, sovereignty, and a human-centred approach.
During the summit, Dominican authorities announced the forthcoming adoption of a national Artificial Intelligence Code of Ethics, developed with input from government, academia, civil society and the private sector, and aligned with international standards.
Edgar Batista, Director General of OGTIC, said the initiative reinforces the Dominican Republic’s commitment to digital transformation centred on public value. He said the country will contribute actively to the development of regional standards for digital governance.
Delegations are discussing AI governance, institutional capacity, responsible innovation, and regional cooperation. The talks aim to support ethical and regulatory frameworks for safe, inclusive, and trustworthy technological development.
The Dominican Republic will also assume the Pro Tempore Presidency of the regional mechanism, reinforcing its role in promoting ethical, inclusive and sustainable AI governance across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Why does it matter?
The summit reflects growing efforts by Latin American and Caribbean countries to develop a shared approach to AI governance based on ethics, inclusion and sustainable development. Regional cooperation can help governments build institutional capacity, align regulatory approaches and ensure AI policies reflect local priorities rather than relying solely on frameworks developed elsewhere.
The meeting also highlights the increasing importance of regional voices in global AI governance. By grounding discussions in UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and strengthening collaboration among governments, international organisations and other stakeholders, the region is seeking to play a more active role in shaping international norms for trustworthy AI.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Firms across the euro area are increasingly adopting AI, but only a small share are integrating it deeply enough to generate meaningful productivity gains. Data from the European Central Bank’s SAFE survey shows that although more than 70% of firms report using AI in some form, only 7% have integrated it deeply into their core operations.
Firms that use AI intensively are more likely to embed it in core business processes rather than limiting it to routine or experimental tasks. They are also more likely to innovate, expand their product offerings and align AI investments with long-term growth strategies.
Competitive pressure is also driving deeper AI adoption, particularly among established firms responding to technologically advanced rivals. However, skills shortages, legacy systems and financing constraints continue to limit many companies’ ability to scale AI effectively.
Why does it matter?
The findings suggest that simply adopting AI is not enough to generate significant economic benefits. Productivity gains appear to depend on integrating AI into core business functions, innovation strategies and long-term investment plans rather than using it only for isolated or experimental tasks.
The survey also highlights structural challenges facing Europe’s digital transformation. Without investment in skills, financing and modern digital infrastructure, many firms may struggle to move beyond basic AI adoption, potentially widening the productivity gap between AI leaders and businesses that lack the resources to scale the technology.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our chatbot!
China has regained the world’s leading position in supercomputing after the LineShine system became the fastest computer in the latest TOP500 ranking, replacing the US’s El Capitan at the top of the list.
The achievement marks China’s return to first place for the first time since 2017 and highlights the growing strategic importance of high-performance computing in the AI era.
Unlike many recent AI-focused supercomputers that rely heavily on graphics processing units (GPUs), LineShine achieves exascale performance using conventional central processing units (CPUs).
Beyond topping benchmark rankings, the system is expected to support scientific research, advanced simulations, climate modelling, pharmaceutical development and the training of increasingly sophisticated AI models.
The announcement also reflects the broader ambition of China to strengthen technological leadership while presenting its innovation ecosystem as a contributor to global technological development.
The growing investment in supercomputers reflects how computing infrastructure is increasingly being treated as a strategic asset alongside semiconductors, cloud infrastructure and advanced data centres.
As governments increasingly link AI capabilities with economic competitiveness, scientific leadership and national security, access to world-class computing resources is becoming one of the defining factors shaping the global technology balance.
Why does it matter?
The latest TOP500 ranking underline that computing capacity is becoming a defining factor in AI development and scientific competitiveness. As frontier AI models require ever-greater computational resources for training and inference, access to world-class supercomputers is emerging as a strategic advantage alongside semiconductor manufacturing and cloud infrastructure.
China’s return to the top of the rankings also highlights the geopolitical dimension of high-performance computing. At the same time, continued European investment in AI factories and supercomputing infrastructure reflects a broader effort to strengthen technological sovereignty and reduce dependence on external computing resources as countries compete for leadership in AI and advanced research.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong has called for stronger development of the biomedicine sector and brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies, describing them as strategic industries that will support the Healthy China initiative and China’s future industrial development.
During a visit to Jiangsu Province, Liu called for greater use of AI, big data, and other digital technologies in pharmaceutical research and development to boost innovation and accelerate high-quality growth in the biomedicine sector.
Liu also described brain-computer interfaces as a frontier technology and a strategic area of international competition. Liu called for stronger interdisciplinary collaboration, expanded brain science research, faster breakthroughs in core technologies, and greater original innovation capacity.
The remarks reinforce China’s broader strategy of promoting AI-enabled innovation and emerging technologies to strengthen industrial competitiveness and modernise its healthcare sector.
Why does it matter?
China’s emphasis on AI-powered biomedicine and brain-computer interfaces reflects its strategy of combining healthcare innovation with industrial policy. By encouraging the use of AI in drug discovery while investing in frontier technologies such as BCIs, Beijing is seeking to strengthen domestic innovation and compete in sectors expected to play an important role in future economic growth.
The remarks also underscore the growing geopolitical significance of advanced health technologies. As countries invest in AI, biotechnology and neurotechnology, these fields are increasingly viewed not only as drivers of scientific progress but also as strategic capabilities linked to economic competitiveness, technological sovereignty and national resilience.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Africa’s place in an evolving digital governance landscape
As AI, cybersecurity, and digital technologies become increasingly central to international policymaking, African countries are seeking to strengthen their role in shaping global digital governance. Questions of representation, digital sovereignty, capacity development, and regional coordination are becoming more prominent as governments prepare for negotiations on AI governance, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and internet governance.
These issues formed the focus of a recent Diplo webinar on Cyber Diplomacy in Africa: Regional, National and Continental Initiatives, moderated by Mwende Njiraini, African Initiative Coordinator at Diplo and Chair of the ITU-T Study Group 17 Regional Group for Africa on security. The discussion brought together policymakers, diplomats, academics, and regional organisations to examine how African interests can be more effectively represented in international digital governance processes.
Although the discussion focused on Africa, many of the issues raised, including AI governance, digital sovereignty, capacity development, and multistakeholder cooperation, reflect broader challenges facing digital governance worldwide.
From cyber diplomacy to diplomacy in the AI era
Opening the discussion, Kurbalija suggested that the distinction between cyber diplomacy, digital diplomacy, and technology diplomacy is becoming less significant as digital technologies permeate virtually every area of international relations. Rather than focusing on terminology, he argued that the central question is how countries, communities, and citizens represent their interests in an increasingly digital world.
‘Cyber diplomacy, digital diplomacy, or AI diplomacy is ultimately diplomacy. It is about representing interests, negotiating, and finding common solutions.’, he said.
According to Kurbalija, technological developments are no longer confined to specialised policy discussions. AI, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and data governance increasingly influence trade, security, education, healthcare, humanitarian action, and economic development, making digital issues part of mainstream diplomacy.
This evolution also raises questions about whether Africa is sufficiently represented in international discussions shaping the future of digital technologies.
Image via Magnific
Kurbalija noted that African diplomats are becoming more active in negotiations related to AI, cybersecurity, and internet governance, but argued that stronger participation will be necessary to ensure that the continent’s priorities are reflected in emerging international frameworks.
Rather than approaching these meetings individually, Kurbalija encouraged participants to prepare coordinated positions that reflect African priorities across different policy areas.
Regional coordination remains a work in progress
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the gap between continental ambitions and national implementation.
However, she questioned whether these processes consistently translate into practical outcomes across the continent.
To illustrate this point, Getao presented the results of a live audience poll measuring familiarity with African digital governance initiatives. While approximately half of the participants recognised the AU Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (the Malabo Convention), significantly fewer were familiar with other continental initiatives, including the AU Digital Transformation Strategy and the African Union’s position on international law in cyberspace.
The findings suggested that awareness of Africa’s existing digital governance architecture remains uneven, even among participants engaged in digital policy discussions.
Ambassador Bitange Ndemo argued that implementation presents an even greater challenge than awareness. He observed that agreements adopted at the African Union level often take considerable time to influence national policymaking, with countries frequently developing their own legal and regulatory approaches rather than building on common continental frameworks.
Using the Malabo Convention as an example, Ndemo suggested that many governments introduced separate data protection legislation without fully integrating broader continental approaches. According to him, one contributing factor is reliance on external funding for many regional digital initiatives.
‘If we continue depending on external partners to finance our priorities, ownership becomes more difficult’, Ndemo added.
Ndemo argued that stronger African investment in digital governance initiatives would improve both implementation and long-term sustainability.
Getao echoed this concern, noting that important achievements at the continental level do not always ‘percolate’ effectively to national implementation.
Building common African positions
Despite these challenges, speakers highlighted several examples of growing regional coordination.
Meriem Slimani described how the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) has worked to strengthen cooperation among member states in preparing common African positions for international telecommunications negotiations.
When she joined the organisation in 2015, Slimani recalled, many countries submitted proposals independently at international meetings, often without consulting neighbouring states.
ATU responded by creating a coordination platform through which member countries discuss priorities, identify common interests, exchange experiences, and gradually develop shared positions before major international conferences.
‘Our objective has been to ensure that Africa speaks with one voice where common interests exist.’
Image via Magnific
According to Slimani, this collaborative approach has become particularly important in preparation for major meetings of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), where coordinated regional positions can strengthen Africa’s influence during negotiations.
While acknowledging that implementation challenges remain, he argued that progress has been more visible in some sectors than others.
In particular, COMESA has advanced several practical digital trade initiatives, including electronic trade documentation, digital logistics systems, electronic certificates of origin, and simplified digital trade procedures designed to facilitate cross-border commerce.
Governance issues such as cybersecurity and cybercrime, however, have generally progressed more slowly because they often involve more politically sensitive discussions and require broader legal coordination among participating states.
Chinemhute suggested that smaller regional organisations can sometimes move more quickly than continental institutions because they involve fewer actors and more focused policy priorities.
Looking ahead
While speakers approached Africa’s digital future from different institutional and regional perspectives, several common priorities emerged throughout the discussion. These included strengthening Africa’s participation in global digital governance processes, improving coordination among national, regional, and continental initiatives, investing in capacity development, and ensuring that digital policies reflect local realities and priorities.
The discussion also highlighted that digital governance extends beyond technology. Questions of AI, cybersecurity, connectivity, language, education, and financing were presented as interconnected challenges that require cooperation among governments, regional organisations, academia, the private sector, and civil society.
Image via Magnific
As international discussions on AI and digital governance continue through forums such as the AI for Good Global Summit, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 process, and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), speakers stressed that African participation will be most effective when supported by coordinated regional positions and sustained investment in local expertise and digital capabilities.
Ultimately, the webinar underscored that Africa’s role in shaping the future of digital governance will depend not only on engagement in international negotiations but also on translating continental ambitions into practical national implementation and ensuring that African perspectives contribute to global debates on AI, cybersecurity, and digital development.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
Australia’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency has published a paper on how higher education institutions can assure quality learning in a future shaped by generative AI.
The paper, ‘Assuring quality learning in a GenAI-integrated future: The role of adaptive capabilities’, argues that universities need to rethink how they define, assess and evidence student learning as generative AI becomes embedded in education.
The authors say generative AI and automated decision-making systems challenge traditional approaches to academic integrity and assessment. Rather than focusing only on securing final submissions, institutions should clarify what students need to learn in AI-integrated environments and how that learning can be demonstrated.
The paper identifies adaptive capabilities as central to graduate learning. These include digital literacy, distributed cognition, hybrid metacognition and life-long learning, grounded in disciplinary knowledge and supported by student agency and regulation.
The authors warn that narrow AI literacy may not be enough, as operational skills linked to current tools can quickly become outdated. Adaptive capabilities can help students evaluate new technologies, use AI ethically and continue learning as systems evolve.
The paper also highlights risks linked to generative AI, including overreliance on AI-generated explanations, reduced effortful learning and excessive cognitive offloading. It says higher education should preserve practices that support deeper learning, such as retrieval practice, spaced revision and generating answers before receiving explanations.
Assessment reform is a major theme. The paper calls for greater attention to evidence of learning processes rather than only to final products. Possible approaches include portfolios, learning journey documentation, reflective tasks, trace data and structured self-assessments.
TEQSA says the paper is not prescriptive and does not form part of its formal guidance notes. Instead, it is intended to support institutional thinking about how quality assurance may need to change as generative AI becomes a normal part of higher education.
Why does it matter?
Generative AI is weakening the reliability of product-based assessment, especially when final essays, reports, or problem solutions are produced or heavily shaped by AI tools. TEQSA’s focus on adaptive capabilities points towards a different quality assurance model: one that values student judgement, process evidence, ethical AI use and deep disciplinary understanding. That matters for universities because they will increasingly need to prove not only that students produced work, but that they learned, reasoned and exercised agency while using AI.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
