Capacity development Archives | Page 7 of 327

Victorian officials outline approach to managing AI risks in public sector

Ian Pham at the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) outlined approaches to managing AI adoption during the PSN Victorian Government Cyber Security Showcase. Organisations face the challenge of adopting AI while maintaining effective risk management as these systems become more embedded in government operations.

Cybersecurity teams have traditionally operated with a risk-averse approach focused on minimising threats. Such an approach can slow innovation when applied to AI systems used in public sector environments.

A shift towards managing risk in line with organisational objectives is presented as necessary. This includes prioritising relevant risks and moving from reactive responses towards supporting decision-making processes.

AI adoption involves secure environments for experimentation with defined guardrails, including synthetic or non-sensitive data, monitoring mechanisms, usage conditions, and identity and access controls. Exposure can then be increased gradually, supported by governance and continuous reassessment.

Risks linked to AI systems include data leakage, privacy concerns, unauthorised use, and data quality issues. These risks are described as requiring visibility and management, alongside organisational awareness and engagement to support confidence in AI use.

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Singapore’s HTX signs agreements to advance public safety technologies

The Home Team Science and Technology Agency has signed 10 agreements with partners across government, industry and academia to advance public safety technologies. The announcement was made at MTX 2026.

The partnerships focus on areas including AI, space technology and cybersecurity, aiming to accelerate development of next-generation capabilities for public safety operations.

Several agreements involve industry collaboration to apply commercial innovations, while others expand research links with academic institutions to deepen expertise in areas such as forensics and autonomous systems.

HTX said the partnerships will strengthen collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing across the public safety ecosystem. The agreements were announced at an event in Singapore.

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Microsoft report highlights growing use of AI in healthcare systems

Healthcare systems worldwide are entering a new phase of digital transformation, driven by the rapid adoption of AI, as highlighted in a Microsoft report.

Growing administrative pressure, complex workflows and rising patient demand are pushing hospitals to integrate AI not as a future concept, but as an immediate operational tool to improve efficiency and care quality.

Across different regions, AI is being deployed to reduce clinician workload and streamline hospital operations.

In the United States, AI-assisted documentation tools are helping medical staff reduce time spent on administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on patient care. Similar approaches are being applied globally to improve workflow efficiency and support overstretched healthcare professionals.

In emerging and developed markets alike, AI is also strengthening system resilience and accessibility. Applications range from improving pharmacy inventory management in Kenya to enhancing cybersecurity in Japan’s hospital networks following ransomware attacks.

In Spain, AI-based diagnostic tools are helping accelerate the detection of rare diseases, improving both speed and accuracy of medical decisions.

These developments highlight a broader shift in healthcare systems towards AI-driven infrastructure that supports not only clinical outcomes but also operational stability and data security.

Collaboration among healthcare providers, technology companies, and policymakers is becoming increasingly important to ensure that AI integration remains effective, responsible, and scalable.

Why does it matter?

AI-driven healthcare transformation is reshaping how modern health systems operate at a structural level, shifting the focus from reactive treatment to more efficient, data-informed, and system-wide care delivery.

As hospitals increasingly rely on digital tools, the balance between human clinical expertise and automated support systems is being redefined.

From a broader perspective, the impact extends beyond hospitals and patients, influencing national health resilience, cost efficiency, and equitable access to care.

Countries that successfully integrate AI into healthcare infrastructure are likely to gain significant advantages in service quality, system sustainability, and their ability to respond to future public health challenges.

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Brazil’s Ceará state introduces AI assistant for document review

The Junta Comercial do Estado do Ceará has launched an AI-powered document analysis assistant, marking the first public-facing AI service by the Government of the State of Ceará in Brazil. The initiative was announced through an official statement.

The tool is integrated into the Jucec services portal and acts as a pre-analysis system. It reviews documents, cross-checks data and identifies inconsistencies before formal submission.

Officials say the AI system allows users to correct errors in advance, reducing delays and improving efficiency. The analysis is conducted quickly and clearly highlights issues for businesses and accountants.

The initiative is part of wider efforts to modernise public services and support digital transformation in Brazil.

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New MIT research hub targets future of advanced computation

IBM and the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing have launched the MIT-IBM Computing Research Lab, expanding their long-running partnership into a broader research agenda focused on AI, algorithms, and quantum computing.

The initiative builds on the earlier MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab and reflects the rapid shift towards AI deployment and emerging quantum technologies.

The lab aims to explore the convergence of AI and quantum systems, including hybrid computing models that combine classical infrastructure with next-generation quantum hardware.

Research priorities include efficient AI architectures, advanced optimisation methods, and new algorithmic frameworks designed to improve reliability, transparency, and real-world applicability of machine learning systems.

Alongside AI development, the lab will focus on quantum algorithms for complex scientific problems in fields such as chemistry, biology, and materials science. Work will also address the mathematical foundations of modelling dynamic systems, with potential applications ranging from improved weather prediction to financial forecasting and supply chain optimisation.

Leaders from both MIT and IBM describe the lab as a platform for shaping the next generation of computing systems through integrated advances in AI and quantum technologies.

Why does it matter?

The launch of the MIT-IBM Computing Research Lab signals a broader shift in how foundational computing breakthroughs are now being shaped through close academic–industry collaboration.

As AI and quantum computing converge, the boundaries of what machines can model, predict, and optimise are being fundamentally redefined.

From a wider perspective, these developments could reshape entire sectors, including healthcare, finance, climate science, and global logistics, by enabling faster and more accurate problem-solving at scales that classical systems cannot handle.

The direction of this research also matters for technological sovereignty, as countries and institutions compete to lead in next-generation computing capabilities that will underpin future economic and scientific power.

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Digital Dubai rolls out AI workforce programme across public sector

Digital Dubai has launched the AI Workforce Transformation Programme to train 50,000 government employees in AI skills. The initiative is being delivered with the Dubai Government Human Resources Department and the Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence.

The programme aims to equip staff with practical knowledge to apply AI in public services and internal processes. It includes tailored training tracks based on job roles, from leadership to general employees.

Officials say the initiative will improve productivity, support innovation and enable more efficient service delivery. It also forms part of wider efforts to strengthen AI adoption across government operations.

The programme is designed to build long-term institutional capabilities and support a technology-driven government model. The initiative was launched by Digital Dubai in Dubai.

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AI research collaboration expands as Google plans campus in South Korea

A major step in global AI expansion is underway as Google prepares to establish its first overseas AI campus in Seoul within 2026. The initiative reflects a broader effort to deepen collaboration between global technology firms and regional innovation ecosystems.

The project is being developed in coordination with Google DeepMind and institutions in South Korea, with a dedicated research team expected to support joint development. Around ten specialists will lead technical cooperation, strengthening links between academia, startups and industry.

A central pillar of this collaboration is the K-Moonshot Project, which applies AI to challenges in biotechnology, climate and energy. Alongside this, an agreement with the Ministry of Science and ICT aims to enhance research capabilities and develop specialised human capital in advanced technologies.

The initiative highlights a growing convergence between national innovation strategies and global AI leadership, signalling a shift towards more distributed and collaborative research infrastructures across regions.

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UNESCO and Oxford University launch global AI course for courts

A free online course aimed at preparing judicial systems for the growing role of AI in legal decision-making has been launched, with UNESCO in partnership with the University of Oxford positioned at the centre of the initiative.

AI is already shaping court processes, influencing evidence assessment, and affecting access to justice. Yet, many legal professionals lack structured guidance to evaluate such systems within a rule-of-law framework.

The UNESCO programme introduces a practical, human rights-based approach to AI, combining legal, ethical, and operational perspectives.

Developed with institutions including Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Blavatnik School of Government, the course equips participants with tools to assess algorithmic outputs, manage risks of bias, and maintain judicial independence in increasingly digital court environments.

Central to UNESCO’s initiative is a newly developed AI and Rule of Law Checklist, designed to help courts scrutinise AI systems and their outputs, including use as evidence.

The course also addresses broader concerns, including fairness, transparency, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable groups, reflecting rising global reliance on AI across justice systems.

Supported by the EU, the course is available globally, free of charge, with certification from the University of Oxford. As AI becomes embedded in judicial processes, capacity-building efforts aim to ensure technological adoption strengthens rather than undermines the rule of law.

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The Philippines and South Korea launch a major cybersecurity centre project

The Department of Information and Communications Technology in the Philippines has formalised a major cybersecurity partnership with South Korea, securing funding and technical support to establish a National Cyber Security Centre to strengthen the country’s digital defences.

The agreement, supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency, has been described by Philippine officials as the largest cybersecurity cooperation project of its kind in the country.

The initiative is intended to create a central hub for cyber threat monitoring, incident response, and coordinated defence, while also improving information security management across government systems. The programme is backed by a US$25.6 million grant over five years, reflecting the growing urgency of responding to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats affecting infrastructure and public services.

Beyond infrastructure, the project also aims to strengthen national capacity through training and workforce development, helping build a larger pool of cybersecurity professionals. Philippine authorities have stressed that cybersecurity now extends beyond technical systems and increasingly affects public trust, economic stability, and everyday digital activity.

The agreement with South Korea points to a broader effort to strengthen the Philippines’ resilience as a digital economy, with stronger institutional safeguards against evolving cyber risks and a longer-term commitment to secure digital transformation.

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Malaysia expands national AI strategy through Microsoft partnership

Malaysia is strengthening its national AI strategy through an expanded partnership with Microsoft, launching the Microsoft Elevate initiative to accelerate AI readiness across society.

The programme aligns with the country’s AI Nation 2030 ambitions and extends digital skills development beyond traditional sectors.

An initiative that targets educators, public sector institutions, small businesses and wider communities, aiming to embed practical AI capabilities into everyday economic and social activity.

Early deployment has already reached tens of thousands of learners, reflecting a shift from pilot programmes to large-scale national implementation.

Government and industry leaders in Malaysia emphasise that long-term competitiveness depends not only on technological investment but on widespread adoption and understanding of AI tools.

The programme therefore prioritises workforce activation, institutional capacity and sustainable integration across sectors.

Malaysia’s approach reflects a broader global trend where public–private partnerships are increasingly central to AI development, focusing on inclusive access, responsible use and real-world application rather than purely technological advancement.

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