Capacity development Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

EU expands InvestEU funding for startups and transformative industries

The European Commission and the European Investment Bank Group have signed an agreement to add €22 billion in strategic financing to the InvestEU programme to support transformative investments in the EU economy.

The amendment follows the adoption of the Omnibus II Regulation and is intended to accelerate financing for priority sectors, including clean technologies, biotechnology, digital advancement and high-potential start-ups and scale-ups.

According to the EIB Group, the projects supported through the amendment are expected to generate a total financial impact of around €70 billion by the end of the current Multiannual Financial Framework. The wider Omnibus II package set a minimum target of €55 billion in additional public and private investment.

The expanded InvestEU programme is expected to benefit more than 130,000 small and medium-sized enterprises by improving access to finance and simplifying administrative procedures. The EIB said all SMEs supported under InvestEU will benefit from streamlined processes and reduced reporting requirements.

The amendment also lays the groundwork for a future InvestEU instrument under the next Multiannual Financial Framework, as part of the planned European Competitiveness Fund. The Commission and EIB said the expanded programme is intended to support Europe’s green and digital transitions, competitiveness and long-term economic resilience.

Why does it matter?

The agreement shows how the EU is using public guarantees and EIB Group financing to address investment gaps in strategic sectors. For digital policy, the relevant signal is the focus on digital advancement, high-growth start-ups and scale-ups, and technological sovereignty. Access to finance remains a central challenge for European companies trying to commercialise and scale technologies in areas such as digital infrastructure, advanced industry and deep tech.

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PMI launches global standard for AI project management

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has published a global standard for managing AI initiatives in portfolio, programme and project environments. The standard, titled ‘The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program, and Project Management‘, is intended to guide project, programme and portfolio teams delivering AI initiatives.

PMI said AI deployment within organisations is typically delivered through projects, including the development of AI systems, AI-enabled workflows and AI-powered products. The organisation said project professionals have lacked a dedicated framework for planning, governing and delivering AI transformation initiatives.

The standard establishes eight guiding principles, five performance domains and a lifecycle framework for designing, deploying and overseeing AI initiatives. PMI said the guidance is technology-agnostic and built around human-in-the-loop oversight at every stage.

The standard comes as governments and organisations continue to develop AI governance approaches, including risk-based regulation, transparency requirements, and accountability measures. PMI said the standard is intended to help project professionals integrate responsible AI governance into project delivery, from design and development through deployment and oversight.

The standard also addresses AI business cases, tool selection, AI-specific risk management, ethics oversight, and compliance with emerging requirements such as the EU AI Act and ISO 42001. PMI said the framework provides project leaders with a common language for aligning legal, audit, finance, technology and business teams around AI implementation objectives and governance requirements.

The standard is available as a free digital download for PMI members worldwide. Non-members can access the digital edition through purchase or PMI membership.

Why does it matter?

As organisations move from experimenting with AI to deploying it at scale, attention is increasingly shifting from technical development to implementation, governance and operational oversight. Many AI initiatives fail not because of technology limitations, but because of challenges related to project management, risk management, stakeholder alignment and organisational readiness.

PMI’s standard reflects the growing effort to operationalise AI governance by translating broad principles into practical project delivery processes. It also highlights how emerging regulatory frameworks, such as the EU AI Act, are influencing the way organisations plan, manage and oversee AI-enabled transformation initiatives.

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UNESCO expands gender-responsive digital education training in Tanzania

UNESCO has completed the second cohort of its Teacher Educator Training on Gender-Responsive Pedagogy for Inclusive Digital Education in Tanzania.

The initiative, delivered in partnership with Beijing Normal University (BNU) and Tanzania’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, trained 30 teacher educators from the University of Dodoma (UDOM) and Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE).

The programme forms part of the UNESCO–BNU project ‘Closing the Digital Divide: Ensuring Gender-Transformative Digital Skills Education for Women and Girls‘. Participants received practical training in gender-responsive pedagogy, inclusive digital learning and strategies to encourage greater participation by girls in ICT and STEM fields.

According to UNESCO, the training focused on helping educators identify and address barriers that may discourage girls from pursuing digital skills development and careers in technology. Through workshops, peer learning, case studies, and practical exercises, participants explored approaches to creating more inclusive and equitable learning environments.

With the completion of the second cohort, the initiative has now trained 60 teacher educators from four Tanzanian higher education institutions: UDOM, MUCE, the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), and the Open University of Tanzania (OUT).

UNESCO expects the trained educators to pass on the knowledge and skills acquired through the programme to future teachers, creating a multiplier effect across Tanzania’s education system.

The project is now entering a new phase focused on strengthening Girls in ICT Clubs in 20 secondary schools across Tanzania. Planned activities include mentorship programmes, innovation bootcamps, ICT training and engagement with female role models aimed at encouraging girls’ participation in technology and STEM disciplines.

Why does it matter?

Digital skills are increasingly essential for participation in education, employment, and the wider economy. However, gender gaps in access to technology and STEM opportunities continue to limit the participation of women and girls in many parts of the world.

By equipping teacher educators with gender-responsive teaching approaches and supporting girls’ engagement with ICT and STEM, the UNESCO–BNU initiative seeks to address barriers at multiple levels of the education system. The programme also highlights the role of education and capacity development in promoting digital inclusion and expanding opportunities for future generations.

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Kenya Defence Forces expands AI capacity-building efforts through new training course

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has completed the Service Members Basic Artificial Intelligence Course 01/26, a training programme aimed at strengthening AI capabilities among military personnel. The course concluded with a graduation ceremony at the National Military Command Centre in Nairobi.

Delivered by the Defence Intelligence Academy in partnership with the Moran AI and Cyber Centre of Excellence and other technology partners, the programme provided participants with foundational knowledge of AI and emerging technologies. The course aimed to equip participants with practical skills relevant to increasingly data-driven security and defence environments.

According to KDF, the initiative supports broader efforts to modernise military capabilities and prepare personnel for the growing role of data, automation and digital technologies in defence operations. Officials described technological literacy as an increasingly important competency in modern military service.

The programme forms part of KDF’s wider strategy to strengthen digital skills and innovation capacity. The military said the programme also supports regional cooperation and technological capacity development through partnerships with institutions across Africa.

Why does it matter?

AI is increasingly influencing defence planning, intelligence analysis, logistics and operational decision-making. As armed forces around the world integrate data-driven technologies into their activities, developing AI literacy and digital skills among personnel is becoming a strategic priority.

The KDF initiative reflects a broader trend in which military organisations are investing in AI-related capacity building to ensure personnel can effectively understand, manage and operate alongside emerging technologies while supporting long-term defence modernisation efforts.

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EDIH Summit 2026 to focus on Europe’s AI implementation challenge

The EDIH Summit 2026 will take place in Brussels on 9 and 10 June, bringing together the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) network, EU institutions, Member States, AI infrastructures initiatives and innovation stakeholders. The event will focus on how Europe’s AI innovation ecosystem functions in practice.

The summit comes as the European Union increasingly shifts its focus from AI policymaking towards implementation and adoption. With the AI Act in force, the AI Continent Action Plan adopted, and the Apply AI Strategy underway, organisers say attention is turning to whether SMEs and public administrations can access infrastructure, expertise and practical support needed to adopt AI effectively.

Sessions will explore how European Digital Innovation Hubs connect organisations with other components of the EU AI innovation ecosystem, including AI Factories, Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs) and regulatory sandboxes. Discussions will also address common tools, assessment frameworks, and approaches that can be scaled across regions and sectors.

The programme will also examine how support structures may need to evolve as generative and agentic AI reshape organisational requirements and expectations. The EDIH Summit will also examine the evolving role of EDIHs as AI experience centres, acting not only as access points but as guides within a changing technological and regulatory landscape.

Organisers said the summit is designed to encourage practical exchange, knowledge sharing and actionable outcomes. European Digital Innovation Hubs will be able to compare approaches, identify shared challenges, and contribute to discussions that will shape the network’s priorities for the year ahead.

Why does it matter?

As the European Union moves from developing AI regulations to encouraging widespread adoption, questions increasingly focus on implementation rather than policy design. Many SMEs and public administrations continue to face challenges accessing expertise, testing facilities, funding and trusted guidance for deploying AI solutions.

The EDIH Summit reflects the EU’s broader effort to build a connected AI ecosystem that links businesses and public-sector organisations with technical infrastructure, innovation support services and regulatory guidance. The discussions may help shape how Europe translates its AI ambitions into practical adoption and economic impact.

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EY Malta expands AI in audit services

EY Malta has introduced enterprise-scale agentic AI across its Assurance services, integrating the technology into EY Canvas, the firm’s global audit platform.

The rollout forms part of EY’s wider global strategy to embed AI into audit workflows and support audit quality, risk assessment, and client insights.

EY said the AI-enabled framework helps auditors analyse large volumes of data, assess risks, and access updated auditing and accounting guidance in real time. The firm said the technology is designed to support, not replace, auditors, with professional judgement and human oversight remaining central to the audit process.

The system is integrated with Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Foundry, and Microsoft Fabric, reflecting EY’s broader global partnership with Microsoft on the secure and scalable deployment of AI.

EY said the rollout follows global testing and is part of its long-term investment in audit quality, technology, and workforce development. The firm added that further AI enhancements are planned over the coming years as audit teams use the tools across more stages of the audit process.

EY Malta also highlighted related assurance and advisory services linked to AI readiness, governance, and risk management. The firm said the technology would allow teams in Malta to focus more on risk and audit quality while reducing administrative work.

Why does it matter?

The rollout shows how agentic AI is moving into regulated professional services, including audit, where accuracy, accountability, and human judgement remain central. AI could help auditors analyse larger datasets and focus on higher-risk areas. Still, it also raises questions about oversight, explainability, skills, liability, and how regulators assess AI-supported audit work.

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Researchers develop AI governance tools for public health across the Global Majority

A research team led by Professor Jude Kong from the University of Toronto is developing new tools to monitor, assess, and govern the use of AI in public health across the Global Majority, with a particular focus on Africa.

The team, which includes Jake Effoduh, Jim Hinton, Abbas Yazdinejad, and Maral Niaz, has begun mapping how AI is being integrated into healthcare systems and infrastructure. The work focuses on identifying key actors, technologies and use cases, providing a clearer picture of how AI is becoming embedded in public health systems.

The next phase involves developing a dynamic dashboard designed to track AI systems and support evidence-based decision-making. Rather than relying solely on top-down governance frameworks, the team aims to co-develop tools that policymakers, civil society organisations, educators and practitioners can use in their own contexts.

In practice, this means creating tools that are not only technically robust but also socially legitimate and locally relevant. While strengthening AI literacy and governance capacity across the Global Majority, the initiative aims to empower policymakers with evidence-based insights, support civil society in understanding AI systems, and enable more informed and inclusive decision-making processes.

By bringing together expertise in technology, law, public policy and social impact, the project reflects the multidisciplinary nature of AI governance. The team will present its findings at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, during ITU’s Kaleidoscope sessions on Thursday, 9 July 2026, from 15:30 to 16:30.

Why does this matter in AI world?

AI for the Global Majority (AI4GM) is a joint initiative of the Geneva Graduate Institute, Microsoft and the International Telecommunication Union. The initiative supports research on how AI can benefit majority populations in areas including governance, education, health, finance, and digital innovation.

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UNESCO IFAP focuses on digital inclusion

UNESCO’s Information for All Programme (IFAP) convened an orientation meeting on 20 May to brief stakeholders on its activities and priorities in an increasingly complex digital and information environment. The meeting took place as the Programme marks its 25th anniversary in 2026.

IFAP Chair Ambassador Salih Abdullah said the anniversary presents an opportunity to strengthen the Programme’s role as a global platform for policy dialogue and standard-setting in the digital era. He linked IFAP’s mission to UNESCO’s wider goal of ensuring access to information and supporting inclusive knowledge societies.

UNESCO said the endorsement of IFAP’s Manual of Operations by the 13th IFAP Council represents a significant milestone for the Programme. The manual is intended to guide the revitalisation of IFAP National Committees and support the translation of the ‘Information for All’ mandate into national policies and local initiatives.

Guilherme Canela De Souza Godoi, UNESCO’s Director for Digital Inclusion, Policies and Transformation, and IFAP Secretary, said IFAP is positioned to guide Member States as the world aligns with the UN Global Digital Compact and the WSIS+20 review. He also emphasised the Programme’s role in advancing digital public goods, human rights and inclusive digital development.

The meeting also addressed the need to strengthen engagement across IFAP National Committees, working groups, experts, and partners. UNESCO encouraged Member States to establish IFAP National Committees and submit nominations for IFAP Working Groups in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Manual of Operations.

More than 80 delegates participated, including representatives of UNESCO Member States, the IFAP Council and Bureau, IFAP Working Groups and National Committees, experts, and partners. The IFAP 35th Bureau meeting is scheduled for 17 June 2026.

Why does it matter?

As governments and international organisations seek to implement the UN Global Digital Compact and prepare for the WSIS+20 review process, questions of digital inclusion, access to information and digital governance are becoming increasingly important.

IFAP provides a longstanding multistakeholder platform for addressing these issues and promoting inclusive knowledge societies. Strengthening national participation and coordination mechanisms could help countries translate global digital policy objectives into practical national initiatives and capacity-building efforts.

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Belgium outperforms EU average in business AI use

Belgium ranks among Europe’s top five countries for business use of AI, with more than a third of companies now using at least one AI technology.

In 2025, 34.54% of Belgian companies reported using AI, up from 24.71% in 2024. The figure is well above the European average of 19.95%, according to the latest Belgian Digital Economy Overview.

Adoption varies strongly by company size. More than 76% of large enterprises already use AI technologies, compared with just over 28% of small businesses.

The most common business applications include text analysis, content production (written or spoken), machine learning, and workflow automation. Companies mainly use AI for administrative and management processes, accounting and finance, and marketing and sales.

AI use is also rising among individuals. In 2025, 33.53% of Belgians used generative AI tools for personal use, compared with the European average of 25.09%.

Digitalisation Minister Vanessa Matz said Belgium should build on the momentum with a coherent strategy that strengthens expertise, supports talent, improves access to European technological capabilities, and builds trust.

She also stressed that AI development should take place within a clear, protective, and inclusive framework that respects privacy, prevents bias, and avoids widening inequalities.

Why does it matter?

Belgium’s AI uptake shows that business adoption is no longer limited to experimentation, especially among large companies. The gap between large enterprises and small businesses also matters, because uneven adoption could widen productivity differences inside the economy. The policy challenge is to support broader AI use while building safeguards around privacy, bias, skills, and inclusion.

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China brings AI into advanced ocean forecasting systems

China has unveiled LangYa 2.0, an upgraded AI-powered ocean forecasting system designed to predict complex marine phenomena with greater precision and detail. The model was unveiled at the Fourth China Digital Earth Conference in Qingdao and represents a step forward from earlier ocean monitoring tools.

Developed by the Institute of Oceanology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the system goes beyond monitoring variables such as temperature and salinity to forecast high-impact events, including typhoons, storm surges, extreme rainfall, internal waves, mesoscale eddies, and sea ice.

The platform combines specialised AI sub-models trained on diverse datasets and informed by physical ocean processes.

LangYa 2.0 is designed to provide decision-support information for applications including disaster preparedness, maritime safety, polar navigation and climate adaptation. The system can simulate rapid typhoon intensification and sudden track shifts, while also forecasting hidden ocean dynamics that may impact offshore infrastructure.

According to researchers, the model ranked first in a 2025 international Arctic sea ice forecasting evaluation, highlighting its potential for polar forecasting applications. Researchers are exploring ways to expand the system into broader climate and ecological modelling, with the aim of supporting future marine intelligence and environmental monitoring platforms.

Why does it matter?

Accurate ocean forecasting plays a critical role in disaster preparedness, maritime safety, climate adaptation and the protection of coastal infrastructure. AI-based systems can process large volumes of environmental data more quickly and identify complex patterns that may be difficult to capture using traditional forecasting methods alone.

LangYa 2.0 also reflects a broader trend towards using AI in Earth system science. As climate-related risks become more frequent and complex, governments and researchers are increasingly investing in AI-driven tools to improve environmental monitoring, risk assessment and decision-making.

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