Capacity development Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

Greece launches public AI literacy guide for citizens

Greece’s Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence has launched ‘Artificial Intelligence for All’, a public guide designed to improve understanding and use of AI tools.

The guide was developed through cooperation between leading AI scientists, the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, the National Council for Research, Technology and Innovation, and the Special Secretariat for Long-Term Planning. The guide is available free of charge through the digital platform of the Special Secretariat for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance.

According to the ministry, the initiative aims to support digital education, responsible AI use, and a broader understanding of AI systems.

The material introduces basic concepts related to AI and large language models through practical examples and simplified explanations. The guide explains how AI systems can process different forms of data and generate outputs, including recommendations, summaries, and digital content.

The project forms part of Greece’s broader digital strategy focused on digital skills development and public familiarity with emerging technologies.

Officials also highlighted collaboration with the members of the Greek scientific community in Greece and abroad, with the objective of making advanced technological tools more accessible to the wider population.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Kazakhstan launches UNESCO AI readiness assessment initiative

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has announced the launch of its AI Readiness Assessment Methodology in Kazakhstan to evaluate the country’s preparedness for AI governance and development.

The framework is intended to help countries align AI governance approaches with UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI. Representatives from government, academia, business, civil society, and expert organisations participated in the launch discussions.

Participants discussed Kazakhstan’s digital transformation priorities and plans related to AI ecosystem development. According to UNESCO representatives, the assessment process will address issues including human rights, inclusion, gender equality, and transparency in AI governance.

A national stakeholder group involving ministries, universities, business associations, and civil society organisations will support implementation and policy recommendations. The launch event was held at Astana Hub in Kazakhstan.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

India summit boosts inclusive AI for development

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Indian School of Business have convened the Governance Summit 2026, focusing on inclusive AI under the country’s Viksit Bharat development vision.

The one-day summit, held on 23 May 2026 at the ISB Mohali Campus, was organised in collaboration with the Bharti Institute of Public Policy. The event focused on AI-powered approaches to digital commerce, online safety, healthcare, governance, job creation, and digital entrepreneurship.

MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan said AI offers India an opportunity to improve productivity, governance, and access across sectors, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, and financial inclusion. He also said India is positioned to use AI for inclusive growth, while acknowledging concerns about its impact on cognitive jobs.

The programme included four thematic panels on AI in digital commerce, online safety for women and children, healthcare access and affordability, and job creation and digital entrepreneurship. A parallel roundtable examined how AI could support last-mile public service delivery, from state governments to gram panchayats.

Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor and Executive Director at the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, said AI should be treated as a long-term national mission. He highlighted inequality, leapfrogging opportunities, and the future of jobs as key issues in India’s emerging AI landscape, and called for equitable access through safeguards, social security mechanisms, and affirmative action.

The summit brought together government officials, industry leaders, academics, and civil society representatives. Participants included Reliance Retail, Mastercard, Apollo Hospitals, IIT Madras, UNICEF India, Punjab Police, and central and state government ministries.

Why does it matter?

The summit reflects India’s effort to frame AI as part of a broader development and public service agenda, rather than solely as an industrial or innovation policy issue. Its focus on last-mile service delivery, online safety, healthcare access, jobs, and digital entrepreneurship points to the governance questions India will need to address as AI systems are deployed across public and economic sectors.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Canada backs AI adoption across Toronto businesses

Canada has announced nearly C$16.5 million in funding for 13 businesses and organisations in the Greater Toronto Area to support AI adoption and help bring new AI technologies to market.

The investment was announced by Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. The funding will support projects in healthcare, energy management, legal services, construction, finance, transportation, sensitive data infrastructure, and enterprise software.

Several projects focus on healthcare and life sciences. Cosm Medical will accelerate the clinical and commercial rollout of an AI-driven platform for patient-specific gynaecological devices, while Future Fertility will commercialise AI-powered technology for assessing endometrial receptivity. MarkiTech will advance an AI healthcare solution for clinical workflows, and ProteinQure will bring to market an AI-powered targeted drug delivery solution.

Other recipients will use AI to improve business operations and sector-specific workflows. DMD Building Systems will integrate robotics, automation, and AI software for engineering workflows, while Edgecom Energy will commercialise its AI Energy Co-Pilot platform for energy management. Trax will develop an AI-assisted platform for building permit compliance checks, and VisFuture will deliver a natural-language AI tool for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The funding also includes C$2 million for Private AI, operating as Limina, to scale a sensitive data infrastructure platform for regulated sectors such as healthcare, financial services, and insurance. MinuteBox will add advanced AI capabilities to its legal services platform, while Stratosphere Technology, operating as Fiscal.ai, will develop an AI-powered platform for structuring corporate filing data.

The Vector Institute will receive C$4 million to launch and deliver a programme helping start-ups improve data readiness, develop models, and deploy AI products. The Government of Canada said the investment is intended to support AI adoption, commercialisation, productivity, competitiveness, and Ontario’s wider AI ecosystem.

Why does it matter?

The funding shows how Canada is using regional development programmes to push AI from research and experimentation into sector-specific commercial deployment. The mix of recipients also points to a broader policy priority: supporting domestic AI capacity while encouraging adoption in regulated and productivity-sensitive sectors such as healthcare, finance, construction, energy, and legal services.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Canada launches AI learning initiative for federal public servants

Canada’s School of Public Service is organising the Learning Week on Artificial Intelligence, an initiative aimed at strengthening AI understanding across the federal public service.

The programme is linked to the Government of Canada’s AI Strategy for the Federal Public Service 2025–2027.

The AI learning programme is open to public servants at all levels and across the country. The initiative includes live events, virtual sessions, self-paced learning tools, and practical demonstrations related to AI technologies.

According to organisers, the programme aims to improve awareness of AI-related opportunities, challenges, and skills within the public service.

The initiative also aligns with broader public service priorities involving digital transformation, productivity, and process modernisation.

Sessions will examine potential applications of AI in areas including policy development, service delivery, and internal administrative functions.

The programme is intended to support responsible AI adoption and prepare public servants in Canada for organisational and operational changes linked to AI technologies.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

UN DESA launches AI governance workshop for Africa and Asia-Pacific officials

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) is organising a capacity-building workshop in Hangzhou, China, focused on AI governance and digital transformation for senior government officials from Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

The activity is part of the project ‘Strengthening AI Capabilities and Governance for Sustainable Digital Transformation in Africa and Asia-Pacific’, implemented in partnership with the Government of China. The programme includes a five-day study tour examining policy, institutional, and technical approaches to AI governance and adoption.

According to the concept note, the initiative responds to gaps in national AI governance frameworks and implementation capacity in many countries. The programme references findings from the UN E-Government Survey 2024 and OECD data concerning AI regulation and national AI strategies.

The programme will draw on the UN E-Government Survey 2024 and its AI Addendum, as well as China’s experience in using AI to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth.

Participants are expected to review AI governance structures, regulatory frameworks, and institutional coordination mechanisms. The agenda also includes briefings with relevant ministries or AI bodies, as well as visits to AI coordination or digital transformation institutions.

The agenda includes discussions on international cooperation, regulatory interoperability, public-private collaboration, and AI-related opportunities for small businesses.

According to the concept note, the workshop aims to strengthen institutional understanding of AI governance and support integration of digital policies into national development strategies. Participation is by invitation only and limited to around 20 attendees.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

World Bank highlights ‘Small AI’ for farmers and rural communities

According to Hindustan Times, World Bank President Ajay Banga highlighted the potential of ‘Small AI’ systems to support farmers and rural communities through locally deployed and lower-cost technologies.

Examples discussed included farmers in India using mobile phones to share images of diseased crops and receive agricultural advice remotely. Banga also referred to healthcare workers in Indonesia using basic internet connections to access local diagnostic support systems in remote areas.

At the summit, entrepreneur Saurav Mukherjee said AI adoption was expanding into sectors including agriculture and food production. Mukherjee said AI tools may support agricultural decision-making through analysis of seed quality and environmental conditions such as soil, weather, and water availability.

He also noted that wider internet connectivity and 5G access could support wider AI adoption in underserved regions. However, he cautioned that shortages of skilled workers could limit implementation capacity in some regions.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

International Labour Organization warns AI could reshape labour markets across the Arab region

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) have examined how AI may reshape labour markets and employment patterns across the Arab region.

The organisations released a report exploring how AI adoption may transform jobs, productivity, and workforce dynamics by 2035. According to the report, outcomes will depend on policy choices related to skills development, labour protections, and social support systems.

The report outlines three possible scenarios ranging from inclusive AI-driven growth to increased inequality linked to insufficient labour protections and workforce adaptation measures.

One projected strong AI-driven economic growth, combined with large-scale investment in workforce transition and retraining programmes.

Another warned that rapid technological adoption without sufficient social safeguards could deepen inequality and displace large numbers of lower- and middle-skilled workers.

A third scenario envisaged a more gradual AI integration, supported by coordinated policy reforms and inclusive labour-market strategies.

The report identifies sectors such as healthcare, education, logistics, tourism, and digital services as areas where AI-related employment opportunities may emerge. At the same time, the organisations noted that automation could reduce demand for some routine and clerical occupations.

ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat said AI technologies are already affecting workplaces across public administration and service sectors in the region. She added that nearly one-quarter of occupations may experience either displacement or technological augmentation linked to generative AI systems.

The analysis also highlighted widening skills mismatches between education systems and labour market demands, with some countries facing gaps ranging from 40% to 70%. The report also highlights the importance of investment in lifelong learning, labour market institutions, social protection, and AI governance frameworks.

The discussions took place during a preparatory session linked to the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development, where policymakers, labour organisations, and international experts examined how AI may affect youth employment, women workers, and lower-skilled populations across the region.

Why does it matter?

ILO highlights how developing and emerging economies may experience AI transitions differently depending on infrastructure, education systems, governance capacity, and investment levels. Policymakers across the Arab region are now under increasing pressure to modernise labour systems while ensuring that AI adoption supports inclusive growth instead of deepening social inequality.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Switzerland advances National Cyberstrategy implementation

Switzerland has reported progress in implementing its National Cyberstrategy, with more than 90 projects underway and new measures addressing the role of AI in cybersecurity.

The Federal Council was informed of the 2025 implementation report. The implementation report was prepared by the National Cyberstrategy Steering Committee together with the National Cyber Security Centre. The report tracks work across five objectives:

Empowering the public
Securing digital services and critical infrastructure
Managing cyberattacks
Combating cybercrime
Strengthening international cooperation

The report identifies AI as an important area influencing both cybersecurity risks and defensive capabilities. The report describes measures related to AI-assisted cyber threats, AI-supported cyberdefence, research projects, and public awareness activities.

The report also refers to regulatory safeguards linked to Switzerland’s ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on AI. The report frames those steps as part of a broader response to the growing importance of AI in cybersecurity.

According to the report, the National Cyber Security Centre has received 222 reports since mandatory reporting requirements for cyberattacks on critical infrastructure entered into force in April 2025. Authorities say the reports improve national cyber situational awareness and support coordinated responses to threats.

The report also highlights developments involving sector-specific cybersecurity centres, information-sharing initiatives, and vulnerability management programmes. Switzerland also continued its federal bug bounty programme and other vulnerability management initiatives.

Capacity-building programmes include the Cyber-Defence Campus Fellowship, the Cyber Startup Challenge, and the national S-U-P-E-R.ch awareness campaign. The report also notes information-sharing work through Cyber-CASE, Cyber-STRAT, and NEDIK to support faster handling of digital crimes.

International activities included participation in cyber diplomacy and capacity-building initiatives linked to Geneva Cyber Week and UN and OSCE processes.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Việt Nam highlights AI in national digital transformation strategy

Việt Nam’s Ministry of Science and Technology has highlighted AI as part of the country’s digital transformation and innovation strategy. Officials said AI is being prioritised alongside technologies including big data, cloud computing, blockchain, and the Internet of Things.

The comments were made during a workshop focused on AI products and technology cooperation. Participants said businesses are showing growing interest in AI adoption while facing implementation and investment challenges.

Discussions also addressed data infrastructure, computing capacity, and explainable AI systems for public administration and urban management.

Participants said stronger infrastructure, workforce development, and research support could help expand Việt Nam’s role in the regional AI and digital technology sectors. The workshop took place in Hà Nội, Việt Nam.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!