Development Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

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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Greece marks six years of gov.gr and unveils public service CRM

The Greek government has marked the sixth anniversary of gov.gr by presenting new figures on the platform’s use and outlining the next phase of public sector digitalisation.

At an event organised by the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, officials highlighted the expansion of Greece’s digital public services. They presented a new unified customer relationship management system for citizens and businesses.

According to the ministry, gov.gr now offers more than 2,257 digital services and has been used by over 9 million citizens. More than 431 million documents and certificates have been issued through the platform since its launch. At the same time, the digitisation and simplification of 20 selected procedures is estimated to generate annual savings of €312 million.

The new CRM infrastructure is intended to consolidate interactions between citizens, businesses and public services into a single environment. Requests and cases submitted through gov.gr, Citizens’ Service Centres and call centres will be tracked in one place, allowing users to follow their status and receive updates on the service handling the case and its expected completion.

The CRM project is being implemented under Greece’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, ‘Greece 2.0’, with financing from the EU’s NextGenerationEU programme. Officials said the system is intended to reduce bureaucracy, improve transparency and make public administration more consistent across different service channels.

Why does it matter?

The move points to a shift in digital government from putting individual services online towards building an integrated public service infrastructure. If implemented effectively, a unified CRM system could make interactions with the state more traceable and coordinated, while also raising important questions about interoperability, data governance, service accountability and citizens’ access to public administration across digital and non-digital channels.

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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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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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UK launches £200 million initiative to accelerate AI adoption across the economy

The UK government has unveiled a nationwide initiative to accelerate AI adoption, announcing more than £200 million in funding to help businesses deploy AI technologies while strengthening workforce skills.

The announcement was made at the inaugural AI Adoption Summit, which brought together technology companies, trade unions and industry leaders to discuss the practical deployment of AI across the economy.

The programme includes a £100 million expansion of the Bridge AI scheme to connect businesses with AI solutions and expertise, alongside £53 million for new AI innovation and adoption initiatives. Additional funding will support AI Growth Zones, scholarships, workforce training and sector-specific programmes aimed at helping organisations adopt AI responsibly and effectively.

A key element of the initiative is the creation of the AI Economics Institute, chaired by Nobel Prize-winning economist Simon Johnson. The institute will examine how AI affects employment, productivity and economic growth.

More than 30 companies have also committed to sharing data and experiences related to workplace AI adoption to help inform future policy development.

The UK government said the strategy seeks to increase AI adoption across businesses while ensuring workers gain the skills needed to benefit from technological change. Alongside public investment, several technology companies announced additional commitments focused on training, workforce development, research and business support.

Why does it matter?

Governments are increasingly shifting their focus from supporting AI research alone to encouraging widespread adoption across businesses and public services. Many policymakers see AI deployment as a key driver of productivity, competitiveness and economic growth, provided organisations and workers have the skills needed to use the technology effectively.

The UK’s initiative reflects this broader trend by combining investment in AI adoption with workforce development and evidence-based policymaking. The creation of the AI Economics Institute also signals growing interest in understanding how AI will affect jobs, productivity and economic performance as adoption accelerates.

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UNESCO IFAP focuses on digital inclusion

UNESCO’s Information for All Programme (IFAP) convened an orientation meeting on 20 May to brief stakeholders on its activities and priorities in an increasingly complex digital and information environment. The meeting took place as the Programme marks its 25th anniversary in 2026.

IFAP Chair Ambassador Salih Abdullah said the anniversary presents an opportunity to strengthen the Programme’s role as a global platform for policy dialogue and standard-setting in the digital era. He linked IFAP’s mission to UNESCO’s wider goal of ensuring access to information and supporting inclusive knowledge societies.

UNESCO said the endorsement of IFAP’s Manual of Operations by the 13th IFAP Council represents a significant milestone for the Programme. The manual is intended to guide the revitalisation of IFAP National Committees and support the translation of the ‘Information for All’ mandate into national policies and local initiatives.

Guilherme Canela De Souza Godoi, UNESCO’s Director for Digital Inclusion, Policies and Transformation, and IFAP Secretary, said IFAP is positioned to guide Member States as the world aligns with the UN Global Digital Compact and the WSIS+20 review. He also emphasised the Programme’s role in advancing digital public goods, human rights and inclusive digital development.

The meeting also addressed the need to strengthen engagement across IFAP National Committees, working groups, experts, and partners. UNESCO encouraged Member States to establish IFAP National Committees and submit nominations for IFAP Working Groups in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Manual of Operations.

More than 80 delegates participated, including representatives of UNESCO Member States, the IFAP Council and Bureau, IFAP Working Groups and National Committees, experts, and partners. The IFAP 35th Bureau meeting is scheduled for 17 June 2026.

Why does it matter?

As governments and international organisations seek to implement the UN Global Digital Compact and prepare for the WSIS+20 review process, questions of digital inclusion, access to information and digital governance are becoming increasingly important.

IFAP provides a longstanding multistakeholder platform for addressing these issues and promoting inclusive knowledge societies. Strengthening national participation and coordination mechanisms could help countries translate global digital policy objectives into practical national initiatives and capacity-building efforts.

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UAE laboratory introduces AI-powered prostate cancer diagnostics

M42’s National Reference Laboratory has introduced an AI-powered tool for prostate cancer diagnostics in the UAE in partnership with digital pathology company Qritive. The platform will be integrated into the laboratory’s diagnostic workflow at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

The system analyses digital pathology slides, highlights suspicious findings and provides structured insights to help pathologists detect prostate cancer and assess disease severity. It is designed to identify cancerous tissue, assess tumour patterns, support grading according to internationally recognised standards and measure tumour burden.

M42 said the technology is intended to assist medical professionals rather than replace them, with final clinical decisions remaining the responsibility of physicians. The company said AI can help pathologists make complex decisions more efficiently, reduce interpretation variation, and support better patient outcomes.

NRL said the platform could help healthcare providers manage growing diagnostic demand while giving patients and clinicians faster access to critical information. Prostate cancer remains a growing health concern in the Middle East, with officials citing an estimated 50,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

The introduction of the platform forms part of NRL’s wider strategy to strengthen oncology services and expand the use of digital pathology and AI-enabled diagnostics. Officials said the initiative supports the UAE’s broader objectives of advancing healthcare innovation, improving patient outcomes and building a more data-driven health system under UAE Vision 2031.

Why does it matter?

AI-assisted diagnostics are increasingly being adopted to help healthcare professionals manage growing workloads, improve consistency in clinical assessments and accelerate access to diagnostic results. In pathology, AI tools can help identify patterns in medical images and support decision-making, particularly in areas where demand for specialist expertise is rising.

The deployment also reflects the UAE’s broader strategy of integrating AI into healthcare services as part of its digital transformation agenda. As healthcare systems seek to improve efficiency and patient outcomes, AI-enabled diagnostics are becoming an increasingly important component of modern medical practice.

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EU and Kenya deepen cooperation on digital transformation and connectivity

The European Union and Kenya are deepening their strategic partnership on trade, digital transformation, and sustainable investment.

The commitments were set out in Brussels, where European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto.

The Commission said the reinforced cooperation reflects Kenya’s role as a key EU partner in Africa and at the multilateral level.

Under the Global Gateway initiative, the EU and Kenya will support clean transport and trade facilitation along the Northern Corridor, a strategic route for East African trade.

Digital development is also central to the partnership. The two sides will support the rollout of high-speed connectivity to more than 3,000 public offices, schools, health centres, and digital hubs across Kenya.

The discussions also advanced cooperation under the EU-Kenya Strategic Dialogue and welcomed progress in the EU-Kenya data adequacy process. If completed, the adequacy process would facilitate safe data flows between the partners and support digital trade and innovation.

The EU said the assessment so far has been positive and that it intends to conclude the process as soon as possible.

Why does it matter?

The EU-Kenya partnership shows how digital infrastructure, connectivity, data flows, and trade facilitation are becoming central to international economic cooperation. The data adequacy process is especially important because it could create a trusted framework for cross-border data transfers, supporting digital trade, innovation, public services, and closer economic links between Kenya and the EU.

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China brings AI into advanced ocean forecasting systems

China has unveiled LangYa 2.0, an upgraded AI-powered ocean forecasting system designed to predict complex marine phenomena with greater precision and detail. The model was unveiled at the Fourth China Digital Earth Conference in Qingdao and represents a step forward from earlier ocean monitoring tools.

Developed by the Institute of Oceanology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the system goes beyond monitoring variables such as temperature and salinity to forecast high-impact events, including typhoons, storm surges, extreme rainfall, internal waves, mesoscale eddies, and sea ice.

The platform combines specialised AI sub-models trained on diverse datasets and informed by physical ocean processes.

LangYa 2.0 is designed to provide decision-support information for applications including disaster preparedness, maritime safety, polar navigation and climate adaptation. The system can simulate rapid typhoon intensification and sudden track shifts, while also forecasting hidden ocean dynamics that may impact offshore infrastructure.

According to researchers, the model ranked first in a 2025 international Arctic sea ice forecasting evaluation, highlighting its potential for polar forecasting applications. Researchers are exploring ways to expand the system into broader climate and ecological modelling, with the aim of supporting future marine intelligence and environmental monitoring platforms.

Why does it matter?

Accurate ocean forecasting plays a critical role in disaster preparedness, maritime safety, climate adaptation and the protection of coastal infrastructure. AI-based systems can process large volumes of environmental data more quickly and identify complex patterns that may be difficult to capture using traditional forecasting methods alone.

LangYa 2.0 also reflects a broader trend towards using AI in Earth system science. As climate-related risks become more frequent and complex, governments and researchers are increasingly investing in AI-driven tools to improve environmental monitoring, risk assessment and decision-making.

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OECD calls for smarter regulation to boost competitiveness and innovation

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a report on regulatory simplification, warning that excessive and fragmented rules can undermine competitiveness, investment, and innovation. The report, titled ‘Smart Regulations, Strong Business’, was approved and declassified by the OECD Regulatory Policy Committee on 18 May.

The report draws on the OECD’s Simplifying for Success surveys, conducted between July and September 2025 among governments and business organisations across OECD Members, accession countries, and the European Union. Responses were received from 34 jurisdictions, with the analysis also drawing on OECD regulatory governance data and discussions from a 2025 high-level symposium.

The OECD emphasises that regulation remains essential for market functioning, public health and safety, and transparent government processes. However, the report argues that the accumulation of rules and administrative requirements has created increasingly complex systems that are more difficult for businesses to navigate, comply with and adapt to.

Survey findings show that government respondents in 72% of participating countries and business organisations in 90% of countries consider current levels of regulation and bureaucracy to be excessive. More than three-quarters of business organisations also said full compliance is too costly, while many linked the regulatory environment to negative effects on competitiveness, investment, and innovation.

The report says regulatory burdens often stem from reporting, record-keeping, permitting, inspections, and fragmented rules, rather than solely from substantive policy goals. The OECD recommends targeting areas where regulatory burdens are greatest, streamlining administrative procedures through risk-based and digital approaches, and making rulemaking more future-ready through evidence-based policymaking, stakeholder engagement and stronger coordination.

Why does it matter?

Governments around the world are seeking ways to improve competitiveness and stimulate innovation while maintaining high standards of consumer protection, safety and market oversight. As regulatory frameworks expand, concerns have grown about the cumulative costs of compliance and administrative complexity for businesses.

The OECD’s findings contribute to broader debates on regulatory reform, highlighting the importance of balancing effective regulation with efficiency. The report also reflects growing interest in digital tools, risk-based approaches and evidence-driven policymaking as ways to reduce unnecessary burdens without weakening regulatory objectives.

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