Development Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

EU consultation closes on AI energy measurement

The European Commission has moved forward with work on measuring the energy consumption and emissions of AI models and systems, as part of preparations for a possible AI energy measurement framework under the EU AI Act.

The targeted consultation forms part of a Commission-procured study on measuring and promoting energy-efficient and low-emission AI in the European Union. Responses will help refine the study, contribute to a measurement framework for the AI Act’s energy-related objectives and support the design of a potential AI energy and emissions label.

The process focuses on how to measure energy use across the AI lifecycle, including development and training, as well as operational use and inference. The Commission says a comprehensive picture of AI’s energy efficiency and carbon footprint requires data on computational resources, electricity consumption and hardware details.

Under Annex XI of the AI Act, providers of general-purpose AI models must document known or estimated energy consumption as part of their technical documentation obligations. The consultation, therefore, targets developers and deployers of general-purpose AI models and AI systems, as well as component and service suppliers.

Stakeholders were asked about the accessibility of data needed to assess AI energy consumption and emissions, as well as the suitability of different AI performance indicators. The Commission said the aim is to develop a robust and practical industry-informed framework for measuring AI energy consumption and efficiency.

The AI Office will publish a summary of the consultation results based on aggregated data, with respondents not directly quoted.

Why does it matter?

AI’s growing energy demand is becoming a regulatory and environmental policy concern, especially as general-purpose AI models require substantial computing resources for training and inference. A common EU framework for measuring AI energy use and emissions could make environmental impacts more visible, support future transparency obligations and help compare systems more consistently. A possible AI energy and emissions label would also push sustainability into AI governance alongside safety, transparency and accountability.

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Canada launches AI learning initiative for federal public servants

Canada’s School of Public Service is organising the Learning Week on Artificial Intelligence, an initiative aimed at strengthening AI understanding across the federal public service.

The programme is linked to the Government of Canada’s AI Strategy for the Federal Public Service 2025–2027.

The AI learning programme is open to public servants at all levels and across the country. The initiative includes live events, virtual sessions, self-paced learning tools, and practical demonstrations related to AI technologies.

According to organisers, the programme aims to improve awareness of AI-related opportunities, challenges, and skills within the public service.

The initiative also aligns with broader public service priorities involving digital transformation, productivity, and process modernisation.

Sessions will examine potential applications of AI in areas including policy development, service delivery, and internal administrative functions.

The programme is intended to support responsible AI adoption and prepare public servants in Canada for organisational and operational changes linked to AI technologies.

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UN DESA launches AI governance workshop for Africa and Asia-Pacific officials

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) is organising a capacity-building workshop in Hangzhou, China, focused on AI governance and digital transformation for senior government officials from Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

The activity is part of the project ‘Strengthening AI Capabilities and Governance for Sustainable Digital Transformation in Africa and Asia-Pacific’, implemented in partnership with the Government of China. The programme includes a five-day study tour examining policy, institutional, and technical approaches to AI governance and adoption.

According to the concept note, the initiative responds to gaps in national AI governance frameworks and implementation capacity in many countries. The programme references findings from the UN E-Government Survey 2024 and OECD data concerning AI regulation and national AI strategies.

The programme will draw on the UN E-Government Survey 2024 and its AI Addendum, as well as China’s experience in using AI to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth.

Participants are expected to review AI governance structures, regulatory frameworks, and institutional coordination mechanisms. The agenda also includes briefings with relevant ministries or AI bodies, as well as visits to AI coordination or digital transformation institutions.

The agenda includes discussions on international cooperation, regulatory interoperability, public-private collaboration, and AI-related opportunities for small businesses.

According to the concept note, the workshop aims to strengthen institutional understanding of AI governance and support integration of digital policies into national development strategies. Participation is by invitation only and limited to around 20 attendees.

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World Bank highlights ‘Small AI’ for farmers and rural communities

According to Hindustan Times, World Bank President Ajay Banga highlighted the potential of ‘Small AI’ systems to support farmers and rural communities through locally deployed and lower-cost technologies.

Examples discussed included farmers in India using mobile phones to share images of diseased crops and receive agricultural advice remotely. Banga also referred to healthcare workers in Indonesia using basic internet connections to access local diagnostic support systems in remote areas.

At the summit, entrepreneur Saurav Mukherjee said AI adoption was expanding into sectors including agriculture and food production. Mukherjee said AI tools may support agricultural decision-making through analysis of seed quality and environmental conditions such as soil, weather, and water availability.

He also noted that wider internet connectivity and 5G access could support wider AI adoption in underserved regions. However, he cautioned that shortages of skilled workers could limit implementation capacity in some regions.

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International Labour Organization warns AI could reshape labour markets across the Arab region

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) have examined how AI may reshape labour markets and employment patterns across the Arab region.

The organisations released a report exploring how AI adoption may transform jobs, productivity, and workforce dynamics by 2035. According to the report, outcomes will depend on policy choices related to skills development, labour protections, and social support systems.

The report outlines three possible scenarios ranging from inclusive AI-driven growth to increased inequality linked to insufficient labour protections and workforce adaptation measures.

One projected strong AI-driven economic growth, combined with large-scale investment in workforce transition and retraining programmes.

Another warned that rapid technological adoption without sufficient social safeguards could deepen inequality and displace large numbers of lower- and middle-skilled workers.

A third scenario envisaged a more gradual AI integration, supported by coordinated policy reforms and inclusive labour-market strategies.

The report identifies sectors such as healthcare, education, logistics, tourism, and digital services as areas where AI-related employment opportunities may emerge. At the same time, the organisations noted that automation could reduce demand for some routine and clerical occupations.

ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat said AI technologies are already affecting workplaces across public administration and service sectors in the region. She added that nearly one-quarter of occupations may experience either displacement or technological augmentation linked to generative AI systems.

The analysis also highlighted widening skills mismatches between education systems and labour market demands, with some countries facing gaps ranging from 40% to 70%. The report also highlights the importance of investment in lifelong learning, labour market institutions, social protection, and AI governance frameworks.

The discussions took place during a preparatory session linked to the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development, where policymakers, labour organisations, and international experts examined how AI may affect youth employment, women workers, and lower-skilled populations across the region.

Why does it matter?

ILO highlights how developing and emerging economies may experience AI transitions differently depending on infrastructure, education systems, governance capacity, and investment levels. Policymakers across the Arab region are now under increasing pressure to modernise labour systems while ensuring that AI adoption supports inclusive growth instead of deepening social inequality.

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EU and Africa deepen cooperation on AI investment and digital infrastructure

European Commission has expanded cooperation discussions with African partners on AI through a new EU-Africa AI Tech Business Offer Event held in Brussels.

The event brought together policymakers, technology companies, development finance institutions, and digital cooperation organisations from Europe and Africa.

Government representatives from Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania participated in discussions alongside European digital companies and private sector organisations.

According to the European Commission, discussions focused on investment opportunities, AI infrastructure, and long-term cooperation between European and African digital ecosystems.

The initiative was organised under the Team Europe approach in cooperation with Smart Africa, the German development agency GIZ, and the Digital for Development Hub.

Why does it matter?

The event highlights increasing geopolitical and economic competition around ΑΙ partnerships, infrastructure, and digital influence across emerging markets. For Europe, cooperation with African countries supports broader goals linked to digital development, technological sovereignty, and global AI governance. For African governments, the partnerships may accelerate access to AI infrastructure, investment capital, skills development, and digital innovation ecosystems.

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EU lawmakers challenge confidentiality rules on data centre emissions data

A group of 35 Members of the European Parliament has called on the European Commission to review confidentiality rules affecting public access to environmental data from data centres. The request focused on the disclosure of information related to emissions, energy use, and water consumption.

According to reporting by Investigate Europe, the disputed wording was linked to proposals submitted during consultations by Microsoft and DIGITALEUROPE. The clause was later incorporated into the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and limits disclosure of certain information related to individual data centres.

Critics argue that the measure may reduce transparency regarding the environmental impact of expanding digital infrastructure. Some lawmakers and advocacy groups have also raised questions about compatibility with transparency principles under the Aarhus Convention. Reports said critics believe the rules reduce scrutiny of the environmental impact linked to expanding AI and cloud infrastructure.

The lawmakers called on the European Commission to reconsider the provision and publish more detailed environmental reporting data. The issue has contributed to broader discussions in the EU regarding environmental accountability and oversight of digital infrastructure.

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Switzerland advances National Cyberstrategy implementation

Switzerland has reported progress in implementing its National Cyberstrategy, with more than 90 projects underway and new measures addressing the role of AI in cybersecurity.

The Federal Council was informed of the 2025 implementation report. The implementation report was prepared by the National Cyberstrategy Steering Committee together with the National Cyber Security Centre. The report tracks work across five objectives:

Empowering the public
Securing digital services and critical infrastructure
Managing cyberattacks
Combating cybercrime
Strengthening international cooperation

The report identifies AI as an important area influencing both cybersecurity risks and defensive capabilities. The report describes measures related to AI-assisted cyber threats, AI-supported cyberdefence, research projects, and public awareness activities.

The report also refers to regulatory safeguards linked to Switzerland’s ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on AI. The report frames those steps as part of a broader response to the growing importance of AI in cybersecurity.

According to the report, the National Cyber Security Centre has received 222 reports since mandatory reporting requirements for cyberattacks on critical infrastructure entered into force in April 2025. Authorities say the reports improve national cyber situational awareness and support coordinated responses to threats.

The report also highlights developments involving sector-specific cybersecurity centres, information-sharing initiatives, and vulnerability management programmes. Switzerland also continued its federal bug bounty programme and other vulnerability management initiatives.

Capacity-building programmes include the Cyber-Defence Campus Fellowship, the Cyber Startup Challenge, and the national S-U-P-E-R.ch awareness campaign. The report also notes information-sharing work through Cyber-CASE, Cyber-STRAT, and NEDIK to support faster handling of digital crimes.

International activities included participation in cyber diplomacy and capacity-building initiatives linked to Geneva Cyber Week and UN and OSCE processes.

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NASA develops AI system to track harmful algal blooms using satellite data

NASA researchers have developed an AI system designed to combine satellite datasets to improve monitoring of harmful algal blooms.

The system uses self-supervised machine learning to analyse patterns across five satellite missions and instruments, helping researchers identify blooms in regions including western Florida and Southern California. According to researchers, the approach could support environmental monitoring and earlier identification of marine health risks.

Harmful algal blooms can affect ecosystems, wildlife, coastal environments, and public health. In parts of Florida, blooms caused by Karenia brevis have disrupted coastal communities for decades, while toxic blooms along the US West Coast have harmed dolphins, sea lions, and other marine species.

NASA researchers said the system combines information from multiple satellite observation technologies. Instruments such as the PACE satellite and the TROPOMI monitoring instrument help identify algae characteristics, including pigment, fluorescence, and biological activity across ocean surfaces.

The researchers said the self-supervised AI model identifies relationships between datasets without relying heavily on manually labelled data. The system was trained using satellite observations collected during 2018 and 2019 before being tested on later bloom events.

Michelle Gierach of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said the system could help environmental agencies identify areas for water sampling earlier during bloom development. Researchers said combining satellite observations with field data may improve coordination between scientific and public health teams.

The project team said the system is being expanded using additional coastal and freshwater datasets.

Why does it matter?

NASA’s development highlights growing use of AI and satellite intelligence for environmental monitoring and climate-related risk management. Harmful algal blooms are becoming an increasing concern for coastal economies, fisheries, tourism, biodiversity, and public health systems worldwide.

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Canada advances 5G expansion with new spectrum and tower infrastructure reforms

Canada has announced measures to strengthen wireless connectivity, expand 5G infrastructure and accelerate the deployment of next-generation telecommunications technologies.

The government confirmed the rules for a planned 2027 millimetre-wave spectrum auction in the 26 GHz and 38 GHz bands. The auction will make 4.8 GHz of spectrum available to support advanced 5G applications and future 6G technologies. An additional 850 MHz of spectrum in the 26 GHz band will be made available through a future non-competitive licensing process.

The auction framework includes spectrum caps intended to ensure that several operators can access spectrum in each area. It also introduces smaller licensing areas, allowing operators to target spectrum access according to regional and business needs.

Alongside the spectrum measures, the government is proposing reforms to modernise Canada’s wireless tower-siting process. Planned changes include a standardised digital approval process and a publicly accessible online portal for applications and consultations. The reforms are intended to reduce administrative burden, improve transparency and support faster infrastructure deployment.

Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly said reliable and affordable connectivity is essential for economic growth, public safety and quality of life. The government said faster and more efficient infrastructure approvals would support competition, innovation and expanded wireless coverage across the country.

Officials also noted that millimetre wave spectrum can carry large amounts of data over short distances, supporting applications such as industrial automation, smart agriculture, private networks and fixed wireless services in rural and remote communities.

Why does it matter?

The announcement shows how 5G and future 6G planning increasingly depend on both spectrum policy and infrastructure deployment rules. By combining new mmWave spectrum with tower-siting reforms, Canada is trying to increase wireless capacity, reduce rollout delays and support data-intensive applications in industry, agriculture, private networks and rural connectivity.

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