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UNESCO and LG launch free AI ethics course worldwide

UNESCO and LG AI Research have launched a free AI ethics course designed to help technologists, researchers, policymakers, students, and other professionals apply responsible AI principles in practice.

The massive open online course, titled Empowering Minds: Transforming Lives, was launched in Seoul during the Ethics by Design: Industry and Innovation Conference. Hosted on Coursera, it is available free of charge to learners worldwide.

The programme is based on UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted by its 193 member states in 2021. According to UNESCO, it is intended to move beyond high-level principles by providing practical frameworks for decisions made throughout the AI lifecycle.

The course comprises ten modules covering fairness and inclusion, privacy and data governance, transparency, accountability, safety, security, environmental sustainability and global AI governance.

Through real-world case studies, reflective exercises and adaptable frameworks, participants are encouraged to explore the trade-offs involved in developing, deploying and regulating AI systems.

LG AI Research co-developed the curriculum with an international group of experts. Speakers at the launch emphasised that high-impact AI should be supported by evidence of safety and fairness, human rights safeguards, robust governance and transparent public communication.

The course is delivered primarily in English, with translation options available in 11 languages, and learners can receive a certificate upon completion.

UNESCO described the initiative as a global public good intended to widen access to practical AI education, while LG AI Research said it aims to make responsible innovation a routine industry practice rather than an aspiration.

Why does it matter?

The course addresses one of the main challenges in AI governance: translating broad ethical commitments into everyday decisions made by developers, organisations and policymakers. Practical training can help embed responsible AI considerations throughout the design, deployment and oversight of AI systems rather than treating ethics as a separate compliance exercise.

Making the programme freely available also supports wider international efforts to build AI governance capacity. As more organisations adopt AI, accessible education may become an increasingly important complement to regulation by helping practitioners understand how to apply ethical principles in real-world settings.

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UNESCO strengthens AI judicial training in Namibia

UNESCO and its partners have strengthened judicial capacity in Namibia through the second edition of the Artificial Intelligence and the Rule of Law training programme, held in Windhoek from 23 to 25 June 2026.

The programme brought together 22 judges, magistrates and legal officers to improve understanding of AI’s growing role in judicial processes while promoting the ethical, accountable and human rights-based use of the technology.

Organised by UNESCO’s Windhoek Office together with the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology, the Directorate of Research and Innovation under the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Namibia–Angola, the programme forms part of the EU-funded Global Rule of Law Programme.

It supports the implementation of UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence by helping justice systems adapt to rapidly evolving AI technologies.

Participants explored AI ethics, judicial independence, data protection, algorithmic transparency, cybersecurity, AI-generated evidence and the use of AI in judicial reasoning.

The programme also introduced UNESCO’s Global Toolkit on AI and the Rule of Law and presented Namibia’s national AI readiness assessment. Speakers stressed that AI should support judicial work rather than replace human judgement and that its use must remain subject to constitutional oversight and public accountability.

UNESCO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Namibia’s justice sector as it adapts to digital transformation. The programme highlighted the importance of equipping legal professionals with the skills needed to evaluate AI-generated evidence, safeguard fundamental rights and ensure that AI adoption remains consistent with the rule of law, transparency and accountability.

Why does it matter?

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into judicial systems, judges and legal professionals will need specialised knowledge to assess AI-generated evidence, protect fundamental rights and preserve public confidence in the administration of justice. Building institutional expertise is therefore becoming an essential component of responsible AI governance.

The programme also reflects a wider international effort to ensure that AI complements rather than replaces judicial decision-making. By emphasising human oversight, constitutional accountability and ethical safeguards, UNESCO is promoting a governance model that seeks to modernise justice systems without compromising judicial independence or the rule of law.

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Singapore issues personal data guidance for generative AI

Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) has issued guidance explaining how organisations should handle personal data throughout the development and deployment of generative AI systems.

Published jointly with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the guidance explains how organisations should comply with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) during the development, deployment and post-deployment use of generative AI.

Developers may rely on the PDPA’s exception for publicly available information when collecting personal data from openly accessible websites. However, information behind paywalls, registration requirements or other digital barriers may not qualify, meaning organisations may need consent or another legal basis for processing.

Where personal data is used to develop AI models, organisations should also provide AI-specific privacy notices explaining why the information is collected, how it will be processed and how individuals can withdraw consent.

The guidance assigns responsibilities across the AI supply chain. Model providers must comply with data retention and protection obligations, while system providers should review security arrangements and communicate safeguards to downstream users.

Organisations deploying AI systems retain primary responsibility for compliance, including defining lawful processing purposes, protecting personal data throughout deployment and regularly reviewing safeguards, particularly for agentic AI applications.

Individuals retain the right to request access to or correction of their personal data after it has been used in AI development. Organisations are expected to establish practical processes for handling such requests, even where training datasets are large or stored differently from conventional databases.

The final guidance reflects feedback from a public consultation involving technology companies, banks, airlines, healthcare organisations and other stakeholders.

Why does it matter?

The guidance clarifies that responsibility for protecting personal data does not disappear as information moves through increasingly complex AI supply chains. By defining the obligations of developers, providers and deployers, Singapore is reinforcing the principle that accountability must accompany every stage of the AI lifecycle.

The document also illustrates how privacy regulation is adapting to generative AI without creating a separate legal regime. Instead, it applies established data protection principles—such as consent, transparency, security and individual rights—to emerging AI technologies, providing organisations with clearer expectations for responsible deployment.

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South Korea and Saudi Arabia deepen AI and startup partnership

South Korea and Saudi Arabia have agreed to deepen cooperation on startups, AI and digital transformation following talks in Seoul between South Korean Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) Roh Yong-Seok and Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha.

The discussions focused on expanding collaboration in AI, venture investment, digital transformation and innovative startups.

A central topic was a proposed joint investment fund, currently under discussion between Korea Venture Investment and Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Valley Company, which would co-invest in deep-tech companies developing strategic technologies such as AI and semiconductors.

The Korean government said it hopes to launch the fund before the end of 2026.

The ministers also discussed accelerating the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises through wider AI adoption. South Korea outlined planned legislation to encourage AI deployment among smaller businesses, while inviting greater Saudi investment in Korean companies developing AI and other frontier technologies.

The meeting also highlighted broader efforts to strengthen bilateral startup ecosystems. South Korea pointed to initiatives including its Global Business Center in Riyadh and participation in startup events such as COMEUP and Saudi Arabia’s BIBAN. Both governments agreed to encourage greater investment, business exchanges and market access for companies in both countries.

Why does it matter?

The partnership illustrates how international AI cooperation is increasingly centred on investment, startup ecosystems and industrial policy rather than research alone. By combining Saudi capital with South Korea’s technology sector, both countries aim to accelerate the commercial development of strategic technologies such as AI and semiconductors.

The discussions also reflect a broader trend towards linking AI adoption with SME competitiveness and cross-border venture investment. Such partnerships could strengthen innovation ecosystems while supporting national ambitions for digital transformation and economic diversification.

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OECD warns of growing shadow AI in government

The OECD has warned that ‘shadow AI’ is spreading across public administrations as civil servants adopt generative AI without formal approval, consistent oversight or clear operational rules.

A review of official guidance from 14 countries found that while governments have widely adopted AI ethics principles, practical guidance for designing, monitoring, and evaluating generative AI experiments remains fragmented. The result is inconsistent practices, duplicated pilot projects and excessive risk aversion.

The OECD argues that structured experimentation should bridge the gap between national AI strategies and day-to-day public administration. Governments should begin with controlled, low-risk applications before extending AI to sensitive services or decisions affecting citizens.

Evaluation remains a major weakness. Many pilot projects rely on basic indicators such as usage rates and user satisfaction rather than systematically assessing output quality, costs, institutional impact or regulatory compliance.

The OECD therefore recommends evaluating experiments across five dimensions: performance, public value, feasibility, usability and risk management. Because generative AI can produce different outputs from identical prompts, continuous monitoring may be more appropriate than one-off testing.

The framework presented in the report shows that trustworthy adoption depends on three connected elements: enablers such as skills, data and infrastructure; guardrails including legislation, oversight and ethical principles; and engagement with public servants, citizens and external partners.

To contain shadow AI, the OECD recommends shared tools, secure testing environments, stronger AI literacy, clearer accountability and better coordination across projects. Experiments and evaluation methods should be designed together from the outset. Without these measures, governments risk creating isolated pilot projects that cannot be safely scaled, compared or discontinued when they fail.

Why does it matter?

The rapid spread of shadow AI suggests that public servants are adopting generative AI faster than governments can establish formal governance processes. Without common standards for testing, evaluation and oversight, informal AI use could undermine accountability, expose sensitive information and create inconsistent public services.

The OECD’s framework reflects a broader shift in AI governance from developing high-level principles to establishing practical methods for responsible deployment. As governments move from experimentation to implementation, structured evaluation may become as important as regulation itself.

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China releases international AI ethics governance action plan

China has released an Action Plan on International Artificial Intelligence Ethics Governance during the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, outlining its vision for international AI governance and ethical cooperation.

Issued under the guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and relevant partners, the plan seeks to strengthen international cooperation on AI ethics within the framework of the UN Pact for the Future and its Global Digital Compact.

The action plan encourages countries to develop AI governance according to their national circumstances while promoting ethical oversight across the entire AI lifecycle. It advocates risk-based governance, agile regulation, stronger cooperation across AI supply chains and greater international policy coordination based on consultation, joint participation and shared benefits.

China also committed to working with international organisations to implement the plan, expand multilateral cooperation and strengthen dialogue among governments, industry and academia. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting developing countries through capacity building, improving access to AI governance resources and promoting a more inclusive global AI governance ecosystem.

The plan further encourages research and open-source collaboration on AI explainability, privacy protection and bias mitigation. It also calls for integrating AI ethics into education, protecting vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities, and helping narrow the digital divide.

Why does it matter?

The action plan reinforces China’s ambition to play a leading role in shaping international AI governance through multilateral institutions, ethical standards and capacity building. By linking the initiative to the UN Global Digital Compact and the Pact for the Future, Beijing is positioning its governance approach within ongoing global discussions on AI regulation.

The emphasis on flexible national implementation, support for developing countries and open-source collaboration also reflects China’s broader effort to influence how international AI governance evolves, particularly in areas where global rules and standards are still taking shape.

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UNESCO advances AI and ICT teacher training in Tanzania

UNESCO, together with the University of Dodoma, the Tanzania Institute of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government, has trained 1,492 pre-service teachers to strengthen the integration of digital technologies in Tanzanian classrooms.

The programme introduced participants to Tanzania’s 2025 ICT Competency Standards for Teachers through the Tanzania Institute of Education’s learning management system. Training covered AI in education, internet safety, cybersecurity, digital citizenship, digital assessment and learner-centred teaching methods.

According to UNESCO, the initiative aims to strengthen teachers’ digital competencies and support the effective and responsible use of technology in classrooms. Participants said the practical training increased their confidence in using digital tools and applying AI responsibly in line with Tanzania’s curriculum and national education priorities.

The training forms part of the ICT Transforming Education in Africa Phase III project, funded by South Korea, and supports Tanzania’s wider digital transformation strategy for education. It was delivered at the University of Dodoma.

Why does it matter?

Preparing teachers to use AI and digital technologies effectively is becoming a central part of education policy worldwide. Equipping future educators with technical skills, digital literacy and responsible AI practices can help ensure that new technologies improve learning rather than widen existing educational gaps.

The programme also illustrates how teacher training is evolving beyond basic ICT skills to include AI, cybersecurity and digital citizenship. As countries integrate AI into education, building educator capacity is increasingly recognised as essential for successful and responsible digital transformation.

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ILO, Zambia and Japan launch e-waste project for green jobs

The International Labour Organization (ILO), the governments of Zambia and Japan have launched a Japan-funded initiative to promote sustainable e-waste management while creating green employment opportunities for young people.

The Sustainable E-Waste Management for Youth Employment Project will support green enterprise development, expand employment opportunities for young people, women and persons with disabilities, strengthen skills development and promote circular economy practices as part of Zambia’s environmental and economic transformation.

According to the ILO and project partners, the initiative demonstrates how environmental sustainability and decent work can be advanced together. Employers, workers and government representatives said it will encourage entrepreneurship, strengthen collaboration, and help address Zambia’s growing e-waste challenge.

The project was launched in Lusaka as part of a partnership between the ILO and the governments of Zambia and Japan to support a greener and more resilient economy.

Why does it matter?

The initiative links environmental protection with employment creation by treating electronic waste as an economic resource rather than simply a disposal problem. Developing recycling and circular economy industries could help create new jobs while reducing the environmental and health impacts of poorly managed e-waste.

The project also reflects a broader international trend towards integrating climate, labour and development policies. By combining skills development, entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability, it illustrates how green transition programmes are increasingly being designed to deliver both economic and social benefits.

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Nearly six in ten UK adults now use generative AI, survey finds

Nearly six in ten UK adults used generative AI during the previous three months, according to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) first Public Engagement Survey.

The survey found that 59% of adults had used generative AI, while 97% reported at least some awareness of AI. Tools capable of producing human-like text or speech were used by 56% of respondents, while 54% had used AI-powered digital assistants.

Adoption was highest among adults aged 16 to 44 before declining steadily with age, reaching just 8% among people aged 85 and over. Use also increased with education levels, from 19% among adults without formal qualifications to 75% among degree holders. Regionally, London recorded the highest adoption rate at 69%, compared with 51% in North East England.

Among online respondents using the technology, 83% reported personal use, 54% used it for work, and 27% for education or study. Saving time was the main motivation, followed by generating ideas and summarising information. Although easier access to information or advice was seen as AI’s biggest benefit, 74% of adults remained concerned that AI-generated information could be inaccurate.

The findings also point to broad public support for regulation. At least two-thirds of respondents backed legislation to improve AI safety, increase transparency, reduce bias and limit job displacement.

The survey was conducted between November 2025 and March 2026 and included 30,698 respondents, providing one of the broadest official snapshots of generative AI use across the UK.

Why does it matter?

The survey suggests that generative AI has moved rapidly into the mainstream, making questions of governance, digital skills and public trust increasingly important. As adoption grows across everyday life and work, ensuring people can use AI safely and effectively may become as important as expanding access to the technology itself.

The findings also highlight persistent inequalities in adoption across age, education and geography. Combined with strong public support for AI regulation, they suggest that future policy will need to address both access to AI and confidence in how it is developed and used.

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China promotes inclusive AI governance at Shanghai conference

China has pushed back against claims that its open-source AI strategy and cooperation with developing countries are intended to expand its geopolitical influence.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on 16 July that AI development affects all humanity and should be guided by openness, inclusion and stronger international governance.

He called for efforts to narrow digital and technological divides, strengthen AI safety and give developing countries greater access to the benefits of the technology.

Lin also criticised technological restrictions and attempts to divide AI development along ideological lines, saying China supports sharing experience and expanding global AI innovation.

The comments came ahead of the World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, which opened in Shanghai on 17 July and runs until 20 July.

At the opening ceremony, President Xi Jinping called for a global AI governance system centred on openness, inclusion, safety and shared development.

The conference brings together government representatives, international organisations, researchers and technology companies to discuss AI development and governance.

China is using the event to present international cooperation, open-source development and capacity-building for developing countries as central elements of its approach to global AI governance.

Why does it matter?

China’s position reflects growing competition over who shapes global AI standards, infrastructure and access. Its emphasis on open-source models and capacity-building may appeal to developing countries seeking affordable technology, while also strengthening Beijing’s influence in global AI governance. The debate, therefore, concerns both narrowing the AI divide and the strategic dependencies that may emerge around models, infrastructure and technical standards.

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