Capacity development

Small states, big ambitions: How startups and nations are shaping the future of AI

At the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway, a dynamic discussion unfolded on how small states and startups can influence the global AI landscape. The session, hosted by Norway, challenged the notion that only tech giants can shape AI’s future. Instead, it presented a compelling vision of innovation rooted in agility, trust, contextual expertise, and collaborative governance.

Norway’s Digitalisation Minister, Karianne Tung, outlined her country’s ambition to become the world’s most digitalised nation by 2030, citing initiatives like the Olivia supercomputer and open-access language models tailored to Norwegian society. Startups such as Cognite showcased how domain-specific data—particularly in energy and industry—can give smaller players a strategic edge.

Meanwhile, Professor Ole-Christopher Granmo introduced the Tsetlin Machine, an energy-efficient, transparent alternative to traditional deep learning, aligning AI development with environmental sustainability and ethical responsibility. Globally, voices like Rwanda’s Esther Kunda and Brookings Fellow Chinasa T. Okolo emphasised the power of contextual innovation, data sovereignty, and peer collaboration.

They argued that small nations can excel not by replicating the paths of AI superpowers, but by building inclusive, locally-relevant models and regulatory frameworks. Big tech representatives from Microsoft and Meta echoed the importance of open infrastructure, sovereign cloud services, and responsible partnerships, stressing that the future of AI must be co-created across sectors and scales.

The session concluded on a hopeful note: small players need not merely adapt to AI’s trajectory—they can actively shape it. By leveraging unique national strengths, fostering multistakeholder collaboration, and prioritising inclusive, ethical, and sustainable design, small nations and startups are positioned to become strategic leaders in the AI era.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

Global South pushes for digital inclusion

At the 2025 Internet Governance Forum in Lillestrøm, Norway, global leaders, youth delegates, and digital policymakers convened to confront one of the most pressing challenges of the digital age: bridging the digital divide in the Global South. UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua highlighted that while connectivity has improved since 2015, 2.6 billion people—primarily in the least developed countries—remain offline.

The issue, however, is no longer just about cables and coverage. It now includes access to affordable devices, digital literacy, and the skills needed to navigate the internet safely and meaningfully.

A recurring concern throughout the session was the alarming decline in development funding—expected to drop by 38%—just as AI surges forward. Francis Gurry, former head of WIPO, warned that the rapid deployment of AI could deepen global inequalities if developing nations are left without the necessary support to build infrastructure or acquire technical expertise.

Several speakers, including ICANN co-chair Tripti Sinha, emphasised that beyond access, true digital inclusion hinges on governance models that prioritise openness, multistakeholder collaboration, and localised technical capacity, especially as state-led approaches risk fragmenting the global internet. In response, countries shared concrete initiatives.

China detailed its AI training workshops and digital cooperation programs with Global South nations. Malaysia showcased its nationwide digital literacy centres and grassroots AI training under its NADI initiative. Ghana’s Dr Nii Quaynor spotlighted Africa’s progress but underscored enduring gaps in infrastructure and capacity. All speakers agreed: the divide cannot be closed without coordinated global action, inclusive policies, and strategic investments.

The forum concluded with a united call for bottom-up solutions, cross-border cooperation, and sustained support for community-driven digital development. As the world prepares for the WSIS+20 review, there is cautious optimism that the commitments made in Lillestrøm will catalyse real progress in making digital inclusion a global reality.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

Watson CoPilot brings AI-driven support to small firms

IBM has introduced AI-powered software to help small businesses improve operations and customer engagement. Based on its Watson AI, the tools aim to streamline tasks, reduce costs and offer deeper insights into customer behaviour.

One of the key features is Watson CoPilot, an AI assistant that handles routine customer queries using natural language processing. However, this allows employees to focus on complex tasks while improving response times and customer satisfaction.

IBM highlighted the potential of these tools to strengthen customer loyalty and drive growth in a competitive market. However, small firms may face challenges such as integration costs, data security concerns and the need for staff training.

The company provides support and resources to ease adoption and help businesses customise the technology to their needs. Using AI responsibly allows small businesses to gain a valuable edge in an increasingly digital economy.

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South Korea’s SK Group and AWS team up on AI infrastructure

South Korean conglomerate SK Group has joined forces with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to invest 7 trillion won (approximately $5.1 billion) in building a large-scale AI data centre in Ulsan, South Korea. The project aims to bolster the country’s AI infrastructure over the next 15 years.

According to South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, the facility will begin construction in September 2025 and is expected to become fully operational by early 2029. Once complete, the Ulsan Centre will have a power capacity exceeding 100 megawatts. AWS will contribute $4 billion to the project.

SK Group stated on Sunday that the data centre will support Korea’s AI ambitions by integrating high-speed networks, advanced semiconductors, and efficient energy systems. In a LinkedIn post, SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won said the company is ‘uniquely positioned’ to drive AI innovation.

They highlighted the role of several SK affiliates in the project, including SK Hynix for high-bandwidth memory, SK Telecom and SK Broadband for network operations, and SK Gas and SK Multi Utility for infrastructure and energy.

The initiative is part of SK Group’s broader commitment to AI investment. In 2023, the company pledged to invest 82 trillion won by 2026 in HBM chip development, data centres, and AI-powered services.

The group has also backed AI startups such as Perplexity, Twelve Labs, and Korean LLM developer Upstage. Its chip unit, Sapeon, merged with rival Rebellions last year, creating a company valued at 1.3 trillion won.

Other major Korean players are also ramping up AI efforts. Tech giant Kakao recently announced plans to invest 600 billion won in an AI data centre and partnered with OpenAI to incorporate ChatGPT technology into its services.

The tech industry in South Korea continues to race towards AI dominance, with domestic firms making substantial investments to secure future leadership in AI infrastructure and applications.

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Africa reflects on 20 years of WSIS at IGF 2025

At the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025, a high-level session brought together African government officials, private sector leaders, civil society advocates, and international experts to reflect on two decades of the continent’s engagement in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process. Moderated by Mactar Seck of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the WSIS+20 Africa review highlighted both remarkable progress and ongoing challenges in digital transformation.

Seck opened the discussion with a snapshot of Africa’s connectivity leap from 2.6% in 2005 to 38% today. Yet, he warned, ‘Cybersecurity costs Africa 10% of its GDP,’ underscoring the urgency of coordinated investment and inclusion. Emphasising multi-stakeholder collaboration, he called for ‘inclusive policy-making across government, private sector, academia and civil society,’ aligned with frameworks such as the AU Digital Strategy and the Global Digital Compact.

Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary detailed the country’s 10-year National Digital Strategic Framework, boasting 92% 3G and 91% 4G coverage and regional infrastructure links. Meanwhile, Benin’s Hon. Adjara presented the Cotonou Declaration and proposed an African Digital Performance Index to monitor broadband, skills, cybersecurity, and inclusion. From the private sector, Jimson Odufuye called for ‘annual WSIS reviews at national level’ and closer alignment with Sustainable Development Goals, stating, “If we cannot measure progress, we cannot reach the SDGs.”

Gender advocate Baratang Pil called for a revision of WSIS action lines to include mandatory gender audits and demanded that ‘30% of national AI and DPI funding go to women-led tech firms.’ Youth representative Louvo Gray stressed the need for $100 billion to close the continent’s digital divide, reminding participants that by 2050, 42% of the world’s youth will be African. Philippe Roux of the UN Emerging Technology Office urged policymakers to focus on implementation over renegotiation: ‘People are not connected because it costs too much — we must address the demand side.’

The panel concluded with a call for enhanced continental cooperation and practical action. As Seck summarised, ‘Africa has the youth, knowledge, and opportunity to lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We must make sure digital inclusion is not a slogan — it must be a shared commitment.’

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

A unified call for a stronger digital future at IGF 2025

At the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway, global stakeholders converged to shape the future of digital governance by aligning the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) with the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Plus 20 review and the Global Digital Compact (GDC) follow-up. Moderated by Yoichi Iida, former Vice Minister at Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the session featured high-level representatives from governments, international organisations, the business sector, and youth networks, all calling for a stronger, more inclusive, better-resourced IGF.

William Lee, WSIS Plus 20 Policy Lead for the Australian Government, emphasised the need for sustainable funding, tighter integration between global and national IGF processes, and the creation of ‘communities of practice.’ Philipp Schulte from Germany’s Ministry of Education, Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation echoed these goals, adding proposals such as appointing an IGF director and establishing an informal multistakeholder sounding board.

The European Union’s unified stance also prioritised long-term mandate renewal and structural support for inclusive participation. Speaking online, Gitanjali Sah, Strategy and Policy Coordinator at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), argued that WSIS frameworks already offer the tools to implement GDC goals, while stressing the urgency of addressing global connectivity gaps.

Maarit Palovirta, Deputy Director General at Connect Europe, represented the business sector, lauding the IGF as an accessible forum for private sector engagement and advocating for continuity and simplicity in governance processes. Representing over 40 youth IGFs globally, Murillo Salvador emphasised youth inclusion, digital literacy, online well-being, and co-ownership in policymaking as core pillars for future success.

Across all groups, there was strong agreement on the urgency of bridging digital divides, supporting grassroots voices, and building a resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking IGF. The shared sentiment was clear: to ensure digital governance reflects the needs of all, the IGF must evolve boldly, inclusively, and collaboratively.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

How ROAMX helps bridge the digital divide

At the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway, experts and stakeholders gathered to assess the progress of UNESCO’s ROAMX framework, a tool for evaluating digital development through the lenses of Rights, Openness, Accessibility, Multi-stakeholder participation, and cross-cutting issues such as gender equality and sustainability. Since its introduction in 2018, and with the rollout of new second-generation indicators in 2024, ROAMX has helped countries align their digital policies with global standards like the WSIS and Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr Tawfik Jelassi of UNESCO opened the session by highlighting the urgency of inclusive digital transformation, noting that 2.6 billion people remain offline, particularly in lower-income regions.

Brazil and Fiji were presented as case studies for the updated framework. Brazil, the first to implement the revised indicators, showcased improvements in digital public services, but also revealed enduring inequalities—particularly among Black women and rural communities—with limited meaningful connectivity and digital literacy.

Meanwhile, Fiji piloted a capacity-building workshop that exposed serious intergovernmental coordination gaps: despite extensive consultation, most ministries were unaware of their national digital strategy. These findings underscore the need for ongoing engagement across government and civil society to implement effective digital policies truly.

Speakers emphasised that ROAMX is more than just an assessment tool; it offers a full policy lifecycle framework that can inform planning, monitoring, and evaluation. Participants noted that the framework’s adaptability makes it suitable for integration into national and regional digital governance efforts, including Internet Governance Forums.

They also pointed out the acute lack of sex-disaggregated data, which severely hampers effective policy responses to gender-based digital divides, especially in regions like Africa, where women remain underrepresented in both access and leadership roles in tech.

The session concluded with a call for broader adoption of ROAMX as a strategic tool to guide inclusive digital transformation efforts worldwide. Its relevance was affirmed in the context of WSIS+20 and the Global Digital Compact, with panellists agreeing that meaningful, rights-based digital development must be data-driven, inclusive, and participatory to leave no one behind in the digital age.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

Grassroots internet governance faces crossroads at IGF 2025

At the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway, the IGF Support Association convened a critical session addressing the long-term sustainability of National and Regional Internet Initiatives (NRIs). With over 170 NRIs worldwide playing a key role in connecting local voices to global internet policy, participants discussed how a potential renewal of the IGF’s UN mandate might influence their operations.

While many, including internet pioneer Vint Cerf, welcomed the idea of institutional stability through UN backing, most agreed it wouldn’t automatically resolve the chronic funding and legitimacy challenges NRIs face on the ground. A recurring concern was the disconnect between expectations and resources.

After nearly two decades, most NRIs still operate on volunteer labour despite being expected to deliver professional-level outcomes. Sandra Hoferichter of EuroDIG warned that this grassroots model is reaching a breaking point, echoing others who called for more stable secretariats and professional staffing.

Joyce Chen and Fiona Asonga emphasised the importance of formalising multistakeholder teams to prevent initiatives from collapsing when key individuals depart. Funding strategies were a central theme, with diverse models discussed—from partnerships with ccTLD managers and technical communities to modest support from national governments.

Yet securing sustainable private sector investment remains difficult, partly because the IGF’s non-decisional format makes it a harder sell to business. Several speakers stressed the need to articulate clear value propositions, especially for big tech companies that benefit from an open and stable internet but often contribute little to maintaining its governance structures.

The session closed with a consensus that real sustainability demands more than money: NRIs need legitimacy, inclusivity, and a deeper integration with national policymaking. Proposals ranged from establishing parliamentary tracks to expanding sub-national IGFs, all with the aim of grounding internet governance in local realities while keeping it globally connected.

Why does it matter?

Despite unresolved questions, the mood remained constructive, with calls to continue the conversation and co-develop innovative models for the next chapter of grassroots digital governance.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

WGIG reunion sparks calls for reform at IGF 2025 in Norway

At the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway, a reunion of the original Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) marked a significant reflection and reckoning moment for global digital governance. Commemorating the 20th anniversary of WGIG’s formation, the session brought together pioneers of the multistakeholder model that reshaped internet policy discussions during the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

Moderated by Markus Kummer and organised by William J. Drake, the panel featured original WGIG members, including Ayesha Hassan, Raul Echeberria, Wolfgang Kleinwächter, Avri Doria, Juan Fernandez, and Jovan Kurbalija, with remote contributions from Alejandro Pisanty, Carlos Afonso, Vittorio Bertola, Baher Esmat, and others. While celebrating their achievements, speakers did not shy away from blunt assessments of the IGF’s present state and future direction.

Speakers universally praised WGIG’s groundbreaking work in legitimising multi-stakeholderism within the UN system. The group’s broad, inclusive definition of internet governance—encompassing technical infrastructure and social and economic policies—was credited for transforming how global internet issues are addressed.

Participants emphasised the group’s unique working methodology, prioritising transparency, pluralism, and consensus-building without erasing legitimate disagreements. Many argue that these practices remain instructive amid today’s fragmented digital governance landscape.

However, as the conversation shifted from legacy to present-day performance, participants voiced deep concerns about the IGF’s limitations. Despite successes in capacity-building and agenda-setting, the forum was criticised for its failure to tackle controversial issues like surveillance, monopolies, and platform accountability.

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Jovan Kurbalija, Executive Director of Diplo

Speakers such as Vittorio Bertola and Avri Doria lamented its increasingly top-down character. At the same time, Nandini Chami and Ariette Esterhuizen raised questions about the IGF’s relevance and inclusiveness in the face of growing power imbalances. Some, including Bertrand de la Chapelle and Jovan Kurbalija, proposed bold reforms, including establishing a new working group to address the interlinked challenges of AI, data governance, and digital justice.

The session closed on a forward-looking note, urging the IGF community to recapture WGIG’s original spirit of collaborative innovation. As emerging technologies raise the stakes for global cooperation, participants agreed that internet governance must evolve—not only to reflect new realities but to stay true to the inclusive, democratic ideals that defined its founding two decades ago.

Track all key moments from the Internet Governance Forum 2025 on our dedicated IGF page.

Tailored AI agents improve work output—at a social cost

AI agents can significantly improve workplace productivity when tailored to individual personality types, according to new research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). However, the study also found that increased efficiency may come at the expense of human social interaction.

Led by Professor Sinan Aral and postdoctoral associate Harang Ju from MIT Sloan School of Management, the research revealed that human workers collaborating with AI agents completed tasks 60% more efficiently. This gain was partly attributed to a 23% reduction in social messages between team members.

The findings come amid a surge in the adoption of AI agents. A recent PwC survey found that 79% of senior executives had implemented AI agents in their organisations, with 66% reporting productivity gains. Agents are used in roles ranging from customer support to executive assistance and data analysis.

Aral and Ju developed a platform called Pairit (formerly MindMeld) to examine how AI affects team dynamics. In one of their experiments, over 2,000 participants were randomly assigned to human-only teams or teams mixed with AI agents. The groups were tasked with creating advertisements for a think tank.

Teams that included AI agents produced more content and higher-quality ad copy, but their human members communicated less, especially regarding emotional and rapport-building messages.

The study also highlighted the importance of matching AI traits to human personalities. For example, conscientious humans worked more effectively with open AI agents, whereas extroverted humans underperformed when paired with highly conscientious AI counterparts.

‘AI traits can complement human personalities to enhance collaboration,’ the researchers noted. However, they stressed that the same AI assistant may not suit everyone.

The insight underpins the launch of their new venture, Pairium AI, which aims to develop agentic AI that adapts to individual work styles. The company promotes its mission as ‘personalising the Agentic Age.’

Ju emphasised the importance of compatibility: ‘You don’t work the same way with all colleagues—AI should adapt in the same way.’

Devanshu Mehrotra, an analyst at Gartner, described the research as groundbreaking. ‘This opens the door to a much deeper conversation about the hyper-customisation of AI in the workplace.’

Looking ahead, Aral and Ju plan to explore how personalised AI can assist in negotiations, customer support, creative writing and coding tasks. Their findings suggest fitting AI to the user may become as critical as managing human team dynamics.

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