Development Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

Latvia gains EIB expertise to scale technology companies

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will guide Latvia on promoting technological innovation and scaling high-growth companies.

Cooperation with the Ministry of Economics and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) aims to strengthen national policies, financing tools, and support mechanisms.

EIB experts will assess existing support for businesses, research, and emerging technologies, while exploring regional alignment with Estonia and Lithuania to foster Baltic-wide initiatives.

The advisory programme includes capacity-building for public authorities and universities, ensuring practical, market-aligned solutions. Riga Technical University’s development plan will be evaluated to link investments with national innovation objectives.

Recommendations will provide a strategic roadmap to amplify the innovation ecosystem of Latvia and attract international investment.

The initiative falls under the InvestEU programme, using data-driven insights to bridge early-stage financing gaps, support scale-ups, and enhance high-growth sectors.

Latvia’s goal is to expand its tech ecosystem, increase competitiveness, and integrate with Europe’s dynamic innovation networks.

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Digital Public Goods Alliance roadmap incorporates UNESCO Open Solutions

UNESCO announced that its Open Solutions have been included in the Digital Public Goods Alliance’s roadmap as part of its membership.

Roadmap activities focus on Open Solutions supporting knowledge ecosystems and information resilience by advancing Open Educational Resources as digital public goods, mainstreaming equitable open access to knowledge ecosystems, unlocking open data for research and learning, and strengthening Free and Open Source Software, according to UNESCO.

Mariya Gabriel, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, said: ‘The inclusion of UNESCO’s Open Solutions— Open Educational Resources, Open Access, Open Data and Free and Open Source Software— in the Digital Public Goods Alliance roadmap, underscores our commitment to knowledge as a public good and to multilateral cooperation. Through these open systems, UNESCO supports Member States in expanding access to information and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.’

UNESCO said its Open Solutions support the discovery, use, and adaptation of digital public goods that help reduce structural barriers to knowledge. It added that they prioritise multilingual access, equitable participation, and the reuse of educational, scientific, and public-interest resources.

UNESCO described the Digital Public Goods Alliance as a multistakeholder initiative that supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by advancing the discovery, development, use, and investment in digital public goods. It said these include open source software, open data, open AI models, and open content that adhere to applicable laws and best practices, are designed to do no harm, and contribute to sustainable development.

Liv Marte Nordhaug, Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Public Goods Alliance Secretariat, said: ‘Through its Open Solutions, UNESCO is advancing open and inclusive knowledge ecosystems while strengthening the development and adoption of digital public goods that expand access to shared, interoperable resources and enable equitable participation in the digital age.’

UNESCO also said its engagement in the alliance contributes to implementing the UN Global Digital Compact and the United Nations Pact for the Future, reaffirming that knowledge, and the digital systems that underpin it, must remain a global public good, governed in the public interest, anchored in international human rights standards, and accessible to all without discrimination.

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Eurasian Development Bank Fund expands digital cooperation with Uzbekistan

A delegation from the Fund for Digital Initiatives (FDI) of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) visited Uzbekistan to enhance cooperation in digital transformation and AI technologies. Tigran Sargsyan, Vice Chairman of the EDB Management Board, met with Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies and National CIO.

The meeting highlighted ongoing initiatives, including solutions in water management, labour markets, jewellery trade, and air quality monitoring. Uzbekistan’s Ministry representatives expressed interest in evaluating FDI-supported projects and presenting their own digital solutions.

Both parties agreed to develop a joint roadmap for implementing the projects and strengthening long-term collaboration. The FDI delegation also toured IT Park Uzbekistan to understand its role in innovation and startup development.

The visit marked a step toward accelerating Uzbekistan’s digital transformation and expanding economic and technological ties with the EDB Fund. Planned projects aim to integrate AI and digital tools to support sustainable growth and innovation.

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Kazakhstan Machinery Forum examines technology policy, industrial development and energy strategy

Representatives from Samruk-Energy JSC took part in the 13th Kazakhstan Machinery Forum, according to the company. The event brought together government and business figures to discuss the future of the machinery and manufacturing sectors.

During a sector session, Managing Director Galymbek Autalipov outlined plans to adopt and localise clean coal technologies. These are described as a strategic priority to balance energy security with environmental commitments.

Company representatives also joined discussions on procurement and industrial policy under Samruk-Kazyna JSC. Talks focused on import substitution, technological modernisation and increasing domestic value in supply chains.

The forum serves as a platform for shaping long-term industrial strategy through cooperation between state bodies and businesses, including the development of manufacturing capacity and modern technologies in Kazakhstan.

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CNN develops agent infrastructure for AI media trading

CNN is developing an internal agent infrastructure as part of a plan to begin AI-driven media trading by early 2027. The company aims to complete protocol scoping by the end of the second quarter before moving into testing phases later in the year.

Testing will focus on how properties are interpreted by large language models and how buyers allocate budgets to agent-based systems. Executives say the timeline may change as the technology and market conditions continue to evolve.

The initiative combines in-house development with external technology partners, while aligning with industry frameworks to ensure compatibility. CNN is also working with standards bodies to ensure agent communication produces accurate outcomes for buyers.

Agentic protocols enable systems to exchange information, negotiate pricing, and manage tasks autonomously between buyers and sellers. The company is prioritising consistent communication to support efficient and reliable transactions.

Early efforts are centred on learning and experimentation, even without immediate revenue generation. Initial use cases are expected to focus on performance-driven campaigns before expanding into broader advertising activities.

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UN warns of urgency in shaping responsible AI governance

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has told the inaugural meeting of a newly formed Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence that its members have a major responsibility to help shape how the technology is used “for the benefit of humanity”.

The new 40-member panel brings together experts from different regions and disciplines and is expected to help close what Guterres described as ‘the AI knowledge gap’. Its role is to assess the real impact AI will have across economies and societies so that countries can act with the same “clarity” on a more level playing field.

Addressing the scientists at the panel’s first meeting, Guterres said: “Individually, you come from diverse regions and disciplines, bringing outstanding expertise in AI and related fields. Collectively, you represent something the world has never seen before.”

He stressed that the group would provide scientific assessments independently of governments, companies, and institutions, including the UN itself. “AI is advancing at lightning speed… no country, no company, and no field of research can see the full picture alone,” he said, adding that “the world urgently needs a shared, global understanding of artificial intelligence; grounded not in ideology, but in science.”

Guterres also linked the panel’s work to a much broader global agenda, warning that AI will shape peace and security, human rights, and sustainable development for decades to come. He cautioned that misunderstanding around the technology could deepen political and social divisions, saying: “I have seen how quickly fear can take hold when facts are missing or distorted – how trust breaks down and division deepens.”

At a time when “geopolitical tensions are rising and conflicts are raging,” he said, the need for shared understanding and “safe and responsible AI could not be greater.”

He also framed the panel’s task as urgent, arguing that governance efforts are struggling to keep pace with the speed of technological change. “Never in the future will we move as slow as we are moving now. We are indeed in a high level of acceleration,” he said, while warning that the panel is also “in a race against time.”

Referring to earlier UN work through the High-Level Advisory Body on AI, Guterres said the panel does not “start from zero”, before concluding: “I can think of no more important assignment for our world today.”

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AI and 6G strategy drives South Korea’s digital transformation agenda

South Korea has outlined an ambitious national strategy to position itself among the world’s leading AI powers, linking technological advancement with broader economic and societal transformation.

Instead of isolated innovation efforts, the plan adopts a systemic approach, combining infrastructure development, data governance, and industrial policy to accelerate digital transition.

Central to South Korea’s strategy is the evolution of network infrastructure, with a shift from 5G to next-generation 6G technology targeted by 2030. The emphasis on connectivity and speed is complemented by efforts to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks and establish a national data integration platform.

Such measures aim to create a more resilient and competitive digital environment capable of supporting large-scale AI deployment.

The policy also prioritises the integration of AI across multiple sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and disaster management.

By embedding intelligent systems into critical industries, South Korean authorities seek to enhance productivity, improve public service delivery, and strengthen national resilience.

Workforce development is positioned as a key pillar, with phased training initiatives designed to build expertise in advanced technologies such as semiconductors and quantum computing.

In parallel, the strategy incorporates digital inclusion measures to ensure broader societal participation. Expansion of AI learning centres and assistive technologies reflects an effort to reduce digital divides while supporting vulnerable groups.

Long-term success will depend on effective coordination across government bodies and to balancing rapid technological deployment with equitable access and robust governance frameworks, rather than purely growth-driven objectives.

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Brazil expands AI in public services through Fala.BR reform

The Brazilian government is integrating AI into Fala.BR platform to streamline how citizens communicate with public authorities, marking a notable shift in digital governance.

Instead of relying on manual classification, the system now automatically identifies the nature of submissions, reducing administrative burden and simplifying access to state services.

The reform is designed to improve inclusivity in public participation in Brazil. By lowering technical barriers and reducing the complexity of submitting complaints or requests, authorities aim to expand engagement among users with limited digital familiarity.

Greater accessibility may strengthen civic oversight, allowing broader segments of society to report issues and interact with government institutions more effectively.

From a policy perspective, the initiative reflects an effort to align digital transformation with transparency and accountability objectives.

Enhanced data classification and internal processing are expected to improve how public bodies in Brazil respond to citizen input. At the same time, integrated reporting tools may support more consistent monitoring of service performance across agencies.

The use of AI in citizen feedback systems also raises broader governance implications.

While efficiency gains and anti-corruption potential are emphasised, the long-term impact will depend on data governance standards, oversight mechanisms, and the ability to ensure equitable access rather than reinforce existing digital divides.

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Gallup finds AI is shaping some college students’ academic choices

Gallup reported that 16% of currently enrolled college students had changed their major or field of study due to AI’s potential impact. They claim that 14% have thought ‘a great deal’ and 33% ‘a fair amount’ about changing their major or field of study for the same reason.

Gallup said the findings are based on web surveys conducted from 2 to 31 October 2025 with 3,801 adults pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree. The article is part of Gallup’s work with Lumina Foundation on higher education.

According to Gallup, men were more likely than women to report having changed majors because of AI’s potential impact, at 21% compared with 12%. Associate degree students were also more likely than bachelor’s degree students to say they had changed their major or field of study, at 19% compared with 13%.

Gallup also found that concern about AI’s impact on majors was greater among students in technology and vocational fields than among those in business, humanities, and engineering. In a separate write-up published the same day, the organisation said AI use is already routine for many students, even where institutions discourage or prohibit it.

The research presents the findings as evidence that AI is affecting how some students think about academic choices and future work. It does not show a policy decision or institutional rule change, but it does add survey evidence to debates about AI, higher education, and future-of-work expectations.

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Brazil launches national assistive technology centre to advance disability rights

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in Brazil has inaugurated a national centre dedicated to assistive technology, signalling a policy shift towards embedding innovation within disability rights frameworks.

Located at the Benjamin Constant Institute, the initiative is designed to strengthen coordination between research institutions and public demand for accessible technologies.

The Centre for Access, Research and Innovation in Assistive Technology (Capta) is part of a broader national strategy to improve inclusion and accessibility.

Instead of focusing solely on technological development, the approach integrates social policy objectives, ensuring that innovation contributes directly to autonomy, participation, and quality of life for people with disabilities.

Such alignment reflects growing recognition that technological progress must be anchored in rights-based principles.

From a governance perspective, Capta functions as an interface between citizens, researchers, and public institutions in Brazil. By facilitating experimentation, adaptation, and dissemination of assistive tools, it may improve the responsiveness of public services to diverse needs.

Integration with existing legal frameworks, including Brazil’s disability inclusion legislation, reinforces the institutionalisation of accessibility as a policy priority.

The long-term impact will depend on sustained investment and the ability to scale similar initiatives nationwide.

While the centre represents a structural advancement in assistive technology policy, its effectiveness will rest on equitable access, inter-agency coordination, and continued engagement with affected communities, rather than on isolated technological deployment.

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