Capacity development Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

India forms expert committee to support AI governance framework

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has constituted a Technology and Policy Expert Committee to support the country’s AI governance architecture. The committee will advise the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) on policy design, regulatory measures, and international engagement.

The committee is chaired by the ministry’s Secretary and includes experts from academia, industry, and digital policy. Its mandate is to provide informed input grounded in technological developments, regulatory approaches, and global practices.

AIGEG will set strategic direction and coordinate policy across government. The expert committee will translate technical and policy issues into actionable insights for decision-making.

The framework aims to ensure a dynamic and adaptive approach to AI governance. It also seeks to align strategic, technical, and policy considerations with India’s social and economic context.

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Malaysia aligns workplace safety reforms with ILO standards

Malaysia is stepping up efforts to strengthen occupational safety and health by aligning national reforms with International Labour Organisation standards, advancing the implementation of key labour conventions and preparing for a new phase of policy development. Convention No. 155 provides the core framework for national occupational safety and health policy and employer responsibilities, while Convention No. 187 focuses on building a national system and programme for continuous improvement.

A national workshop in Kuala Lumpur brought together representatives of government, employers, workers, and industry to improve coordination on occupational safety and health governance. The discussions centred on how to strengthen the implementation of Conventions No. 155 and No. 187 through a more coherent national framework, reflecting the ILO’s broader view that effective workplace safety depends on a connected system of policy, institutions, and social dialogue rather than isolated legal measures.

Attention is also turning to Malaysia’s next National Occupational Safety and Health Policy and the OSH Master Plan 2026–2030, which are expected to shape the country’s longer-term approach to workplace risk prevention and institutional coordination. In ILO terms, that matters because national OSH frameworks are meant to combine policy, system, and programme into a single structure for continuous improvement.

The initiative points to a broader emphasis on shared responsibility for safer workplaces. Convention No. 155 places obligations on governments to maintain a coherent national policy and on employers to ensure safe working environments, while Convention No. 187 promotes a preventative safety and health culture through cooperation with employers and workers. That makes sustained coordination between public authorities, businesses, and labour representatives central to any credible reform effort.

The wider significance of the move lies in how Malaysia is linking labour standards to governance capacity. Aligning national policy with international standards can help clarify responsibilities, strengthen enforcement, and support more consistent prevention across sectors. Over time, that can contribute not only to safer working conditions, but also to more resilient labour markets and more predictable operating environments for employers and workers alike.

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IWF and Utropolis partnership strengthens AI-driven child online safety

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has announced a new partnership with Utropolis, marking a step forward in efforts to strengthen online child protection. The collaboration brings together established detection tools and emerging AI-driven safeguarding technologies.

Utropolis specialises in cloud-based filtering systems designed to identify risks in real time, particularly in school environments.

By integrating IWF datasets, including verified lists of harmful content, the platform aims to improve prevention and detection capabilities while helping educators maintain safer digital spaces.

The initiative reflects a broader trend towards combining AI with established regulatory and safeguarding frameworks. As harmful material continues to spread online, organisations are increasingly focusing on scalable, automated solutions that can adapt to evolving threats.

The partnership also aligns with UK online safety standards in education, reinforcing compliance requirements and strengthening institutional responses.

As digital environments continue to expand, collaborations of this kind highlight the growing role of AI in supporting child protection strategies.

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UK invests £500 million in Sovereign AI fund to boost startups

The UK government has launched a £500 million Sovereign AI initiative to support domestic startups, aiming to strengthen national capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign technology providers.

The programme is designed to help companies start, scale and compete globally while remaining rooted in Britain.

An initiative that combines direct investment with broader support, including fast-track visas, access to high-performance computing and assistance in navigating regulation and procurement.

Early backers target firms working on advanced AI infrastructure, life sciences and next-generation computing, reflecting a strategic focus on sectors with long-term economic and security implications.

A central feature is access to national supercomputing resources, addressing one of the most significant barriers to AI development.

By providing large-scale compute capacity and linking it to potential future investment, the programme aims to accelerate research, testing and deployment within the UK ecosystem.

Essentially, the policy signals a shift toward a more interventionist approach, positioning the state as an active investor rather than a passive regulator.

The objective is to anchor innovation domestically, ensuring that intellectual property, talent and economic value remain within the UK as global competition in AI intensifies.

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OpenAI accelerates life sciences research with a new specialised model

OpenAI has launched GPT-Rosalind, a purpose-built model. It is designed to support complex workflows in biology, drug discovery and translational medicine.

A system that focuses on improving reasoning across scientific domains, enabling researchers to process large volumes of data, literature and experimental inputs more efficiently.

The model is engineered to assist with early-stage discovery, where improvements can significantly influence downstream outcomes.

By supporting hypothesis generation, evidence synthesis and experimental design, GPT-Rosalind aims to streamline fragmented research processes that often slow scientific progress.

Integration with specialised tools and access to more than 50 scientific databases enable the new OpenAI model to operate across multi-step workflows.

Why does it matter?

Early evaluations indicate stronger performance in areas such as protein analysis, genomics and chemical reasoning, alongside improved capability in selecting and using domain-specific tools.

Access is currently limited through a controlled deployment framework, ensuring use within governed research environments.

Partnerships with organisations including Amgen and Moderna reflect a broader effort to apply AI to real-world scientific challenges while maintaining safeguards and oversight.

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New India partnership targets AI innovation and digital transformation

Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on advanced technologies and digital transformation. The agreement focuses on joint projects, consultancy, and technical support across sectors.

The partnership covers AI, machine learning, Internet of Things, cybersecurity, 5G, and cloud computing. It also includes the development of turnkey solutions, technology transfer, and the commercialisation of innovative products.

Capacity development is a key component of the collaboration. Both organisations will support workforce upskilling and skill development to strengthen technical capabilities.

Officials stated that the partnership aims to leverage complementary strengths to deliver technology solutions. It is also expected to support innovation and contribute to India’s broader digital development objectives.

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UNCTAD warns least developed countries lag in services export growth

UN Trade and Development said services are reshaping global trade and that many developing and least developed countries remain on the margins of services-driven export growth.

According to UNCTAD, global trade in services grew by about 5.3% annually over the past decade and now accounts for more than a quarter of total trade. The organisation says this growth has been driven by digitally deliverable services, including information technology, finance, and professional services.

UNCTAD says participation remains uneven. Its data show that developing economies recorded the fastest average annual growth in digitally deliverable services exports between 2015 and 2024, while least developed countries lagged behind and saw stronger growth in goods exports than in digitally deliverable services. Separate figures also show that services account for a substantial share of intermediate inputs in both OECD and non-OECD economies.

The organisation links that shift to ‘servicification’, which it describes as the increasing integration of services across production, including logistics, finance, digital design, and marketing. UNCTAD says outcomes for developing economies depend on infrastructure, skills, and regulatory settings that support services-intensive production.

UNCTAD also says trade policy is becoming increasingly important as negotiations include more provisions on digital trade, including cross-border data flows, data protection, electronic transactions, and digital infrastructure. It says such provisions can reduce regulatory fragmentation and improve predictability, while restrictive measures can limit access to key services and reduce participation in global value chains.

The organisation says policymaking remains constrained by limited data, especially in developing countries. Gaps in detailed services trade statistics, including by sector, partner, and mode of supply, make it harder to identify competitive strengths, assess barriers, and negotiate effectively.

UNCTAD convened the 12th session of its Multi-year Expert Meeting on Trade, Services and Development in Geneva on 15 and 16 April to examine servicification and its implications for diversification. According to the organisation, discussions focused on how policy frameworks, regulatory choices, and trade agreements shape outcomes, and on the need to align data, policy, and implementation more closely.

UNCTAD says it is complementing that work with analytical and capacity-building support, including its Primer on data for trade in services and development policies, as well as work with the Caribbean Community through the Trade-in-Services Information System.

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WHO launches AI Community of Practice for emergency response surveillance

The World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has launched a Community of Practice on AI for disaster and emergency response surveillance through the WHO Collaboratory platform.

According to the organisation, the initiative brings together national authorities, practitioners, researchers, partners, and WHO staff to share knowledge, build capacity, and develop practical guidance on the use of AI in surveillance, early warning, risk assessment, and operational response.

WHO says the Community of Practice is part of its AI Literacy Programme and is intended to strengthen national and regional capacity to evaluate, adopt, govern, and scale AI tools during disasters and health emergencies. Members will have access to training modules, peer-to-peer learning, technical working groups, and a repository of best practices and tested guidance.

The organisation states that the platform prioritises the ethical, equitable, and transparent use of AI in line with its standards. Dr Annette Heinzelmann, WHO Regional Emergency Director, a.i., said:

‘At WHO, we advocate for the science-driven use of artificial intelligence in public health response, especially during emergencies.‘

Heizelmann added:

‘Our priority is to ensure these technologies are applied in ways that are safe, ethical and grounded in public health needs. This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting Member States in translating innovation into faster, more effective emergency response.‘

WHO says it launched the All-Hazards Information Management Toolkit last year as an AI-powered tool to support emergency information management, including rapid risk assessments, response plans, monitoring tools, and situation reports. According to WHO, participants from 20 countries were trained in the use of the toolkit and in AI literacy for emergency preparedness and surveillance.

Dr Oliver Morgan, Head of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, said: ‘Artificial intelligence has enormous potential in public health, but its impact depends on how responsibly and effectively it is applied.’

Morgan expanded: ‘At the WHO Hub in Berlin, we develop innovative tools and bring experts together through initiatives like the Collaboratory to support countries and regions to detect health threats faster and respond more effectively. This Community of Practice helps ensure AI solutions move beyond pilots and into real-world emergency response, where speed, trust and usability matter most.’

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Canada boosts quantum research funding

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada has announced new funding to support the country’s quantum research ecosystem. The initiative aims to strengthen scientific capacity and innovation in the field.

According to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the funding will support researchers, projects and collaboration across institutions. It is intended to advance both fundamental research and applied development.

The programme also focuses on developing talent and building expertise, ensuring that researchers and students can contribute to the development of quantum technologies. This reflects a broader effort to sustain long-term growth in the sector.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada positions the funding as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce quantum capabilities and research leadership in Canada.

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Ghana expands AI skills with UN and the Government of Japan partners

The Ghanaian Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations has launched a public-sector AI capacity development programme in collaboration with the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme. The initiative aims to strengthen digital skills across government institutions.

According to the Ministry, the programme is designed to equip public officials with knowledge of AI and its applications in governance. It focuses on improving decision-making and service delivery, drawing on experience from the UN and Japan.

Why does it matter?

The initiative includes training, practical sessions and policy discussions to support responsible adoption of AI technologies. It also aims to help institutions identify relevant use cases and implementation strategies.

The Ministry presents the interdisciplinary programme as part of broader efforts to advance digital transformation and strengthen institutional capacity in Ghana.

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