Capacity development Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

Microsoft president says AI’s future should be shaped by people, not technology alone

Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith has argued that the future impact of AI should be shaped by people rather than technology alone, emphasising the importance of human agency, creativity and the dignity of work.

In a recent blog post, Smith said concerns expressed by university graduates about AI’s impact on employment should be taken seriously by the technology sector.

Smith also noted that younger generations remain among the most active users of AI technologies but are increasingly questioning how AI will affect jobs, careers and society. He argued that graduates are sending a clear message that AI should support human capabilities instead of determining the role of people in the workforce.

The article draws on historical examples of technological disruption, including photography, computing and automation, arguing that new technologies have often transformed work rather than eliminated human creativity and ambition.

Smith acknowledged concerns about entry-level employment, workforce restructuring and economic uncertainty, while suggesting that AI adoption is likely to unfold over decades rather than over a short period.

Microsoft argues that individuals should focus on combining expertise in their chosen fields with AI literacy. The company also emphasises the importance of uniquely human skills such as creativity, curiosity, communication, compassion and judgement.

For organisations, Smith recommends using AI to strengthen institutional knowledge and productivity while retaining control over proprietary data, intellectual property and strategic decision-making.

Why does it matter?

The debate over AI’s impact on employment has become one of the central questions in technology policy and economic planning. While some forecasts focus on job displacement, others argue that AI will primarily transform how work is performed, creating demand for new skills and roles while reshaping existing occupations.

Smith’s comments offer insight into how a leading AI developer views the long-term transition. His emphasis on augmentation, workforce adaptation and human agency reflects a broader industry narrative that AI should enhance rather than replace human capabilities, while highlighting the growing importance of digital skills, lifelong learning and public participation in decisions about AI deployment.

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European Commission study simplifies SELFIE tool for school digital capacity monitoring

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission has published a study proposing shorter versions of the Self-reflection on Effective Learning by Fostering the Use of Innovative Educational Technologies (SELFIE) tool to support the monitoring of schools’ digital capacity.

The study suggests that shorter instruments could help schools and policymakers use data for digital education planning when time and organisational constraints make the full SELFIE tool more difficult to implement. SELFIE is a scientifically validated tool for measuring schools’ digital capacity. According to the study, the tool had been used by more than 5.5 million users across 80 countries by September 2023.

Researchers developed two shortened versions of the SELFIE tool: a midi-SELFIE with 16 items and a mini-SELFIE with 8 items. The shorter instruments were developed using existing datasets and psychometric analyses based on Item Response Theory models.

The researchers evaluated the shortened tools across three use cases. The first examined changes in digital capacity over time in selected schools; the second examined regional differences in Port u gal; and the third used a representative sample from Spain to explore links between digital capacity and teachers’ use of digital technology during lessons.

The full SELFIE tool and the two shortened versions produced broadly comparable results across the cases examined. The researchers said the midi and mini versions could therefore serve as reliable alternatives for specific uses where the full instrument is too long.

The study suggests that shorter SELFIE tools could support school-level monitoring, digital education planning, and policy monitoring. The findings may be useful for education systems seeking evidence-based approaches to improving teaching and learning while reducing the administrative burden on schools.

Why does it matter?

As governments invest in digital education, there is a growing demand for reliable tools that can measure schools’ digital readiness and inform policy decisions. However, lengthy assessment processes can create practical challenges for schools and education authorities, limiting participation and data collection.

The study suggests that shorter versions of the SELFIE tool can provide comparable insights while reducing the time required for implementation. If adopted more widely, these streamlined assessments could support evidence-based digital education policies, help monitor progress in digital transformation, and make data collection more accessible for schools.

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Uruguay launches Latin America’s first national AI ethics business council

Uruguay has become the first country in Latin America to establish a national Business Council for the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, a UNESCO-backed initiative aimed at strengthening responsible AI governance.

Launched in Montevideo, the council will serve as a platform connecting businesses, academic institutions and public authorities to promote ethical, transparent and accountable AI development.

The initiative is aligned with UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted in 2021 as the first global normative framework dedicated to the ethical governance of AI. The council aims to ensure that AI deployment promotes human well-being, fundamental rights, transparency and non-discrimination while supporting innovation.

The Uruguayan Chamber of Information Technologies will lead the national chapter, supported by representatives from the technology and telecommunications sectors.

During 2026, the council plans to focus on integrating ethical AI practices into business operations, strengthening technical capabilities and promoting Uruguay as a regional reference point for AI governance.

UNESCO officials noted that ethical AI principles can strengthen innovation by fostering trust, accountability and long-term sustainability. Such an initiative by Uruguay is expected to contribute to broader regional discussions on AI governance and responsible digital transformation.

Why does it matter?

As AI adoption accelerates, governments and businesses are increasingly seeking governance mechanisms that balance innovation with accountability, transparency and respect for fundamental rights. While many AI governance initiatives have focused on regulation, Uruguay’s approach places particular emphasis on engaging the private sector in the implementation of ethical AI principles.

The initiative also reflects a broader international trend towards multi-stakeholder AI governance, bringing together government, industry and academia to address challenges such as bias, transparency and responsible deployment. As the first initiative of its kind in Latin America, the council could influence regional discussions on AI governance and digital transformation.

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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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