Development Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

World Economic Forum highlights growing role of AI in public administration

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has highlighted the growing role of AI in public administration and digital government systems.

According to Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab of the Abu Dhabi Department of Government Enablement, future public services may become more automated and integrated across agencies.

The piece points to examples such as Abu Dhabi’s TAMM platform, which integrates more than 1,150 government services into a unified digital system. Officials said the TAMM platform uses AI-enabled systems to support service delivery and reduce administrative processes for users.

The WEF discussed how AI systems could support coordination of public services across government agencies following major life events, such as births, healthcare changes, or residency updates, reducing the need for citizens to navigate complex bureaucratic structures themselves.

The report also emphasised the importance of trust, accountability, transparency, and institutional oversight in government AI deployment. Instead, policymakers are urged to prioritise trust, accountability, transparency, and institutional legitimacy when deploying AI systems in public administration.

WEF’s report also highlights growing interest in agentic AI systems capable of coordinating workflows and executing administrative tasks autonomously. According to the report, decisions involving areas such as healthcare and legal outcomes should continue to involve human oversight and accountability.

The discussion forms part of broader international interest in AI-enabled public services and digital government infrastructure.

Why does it matter?

AI-driven public administration could fundamentally reshape state capacity, public trust, and citizen interaction with government systems, as WEF argues. Automated coordination across agencies may improve efficiency, reduce bureaucracy, and lower administrative costs. However, AI-native governance models also introduce major governance challenges involving privacy, explainability, cybersecurity, algorithmic bias, and democratic accountability. The debate reflects a wider global shift towards AI-powered digital states and intelligent public infrastructure.

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New Zealand outlines public service reforms focused on digital systems and AI

New Zealand has announced public service reforms aimed at improving efficiency, reducing duplication and expanding digital systems across government operations.

Public Service Minister Paul Goldsmith outlined plans to streamline departments and expand the use of digital systems and AI in public administration. The government said the reforms respond to public sector growth that has increased in recent years.

The programme sets a target of returning the core public service to around 55,000 employees by 2029, reversing growth that saw staffing rise from approximately 47,000 in 2017 to more than 65,000 in 2023. According to officials, projected savings are intended to support areas including healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security.

Critics, including the Public Service Association, have raised concerns that the reforms could weaken service delivery and that AI and restructuring may not adequately replace experienced workers, warning of potential disruption across essential public services.

Why does it matter?

The reform reflects a shift towards ‘digital-first state capacity’, where governments attempt to maintain or improve service delivery while constraining headcount growth through automation, AI integration and organisational consolidation.

The approach signals an increasing reliance on data-driven and AI-enabled systems to offset labour intensity in back-office functions, while reallocating fiscal resources towards frontline services and infrastructure.

At the same time, it raises structural questions about institutional resilience, transition costs of large-scale digitisation, and whether productivity gains from AI can realistically substitute for experienced human capacity in complex public service environments.

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South Korea expands industrial policy support for AI manufacturing technologies

South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced plans to establish an industrial growth fund to support manufacturing AI transformation and other industrial policy initiatives over the next three years.

According to the ministry, private banks managing government research and development funds pledged combined anchor investments of 1.1 trillion won for the initiative, including 620 billion won from Hana Bank. The ministry said additional private-sector investment is expected to support the fund.

A M.AX innovation fund established under the initiative will support projects related to manufacturing AI transformation, including robotics, AI factories, mobility technologies, and autonomous vessels. According to the ministry, the government aims to raise 500 billion won for the sub-fund based on an initial 100 billion won anchor investment.

The ministry also signed a cooperation agreement with banks and related agencies to provide 700 billion won in financial support programmes, including technology guarantees and trade insurance, for companies participating in research and development projects.

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China pushes deeper AI integration with advanced manufacturing

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for deeper integration between AI and advanced manufacturing as China seeks to accelerate the intelligent upgrading of its industrial economy.

Li made the remarks during an inspection tour of technology companies in Beijing, where he was briefed on innovation and industrial development in intelligent robotics. He described intelligent robots as a key vehicle for integrating AI with advanced manufacturing.

The premier called for stronger basic research, breakthroughs in core technologies and further exploration at the frontier of intelligent robotics. He also urged faster innovation in complete machines, key components, and intelligent decision-making and control systems to support high-quality industrial development.

Li said China should make use of its large domestic market, complete industrial chains and wide range of application scenarios to expand the intelligent robotics sector. He also said enterprises should play a leading role in industrial transformation.

Companies were encouraged to advance intelligent upgrades across the full production process, including research and development, design, manufacturing, operations management and after-sales services.

Why does it matter?

The remarks show how China is positioning AI as part of industrial modernisation, not only as a digital services technology. By linking AI with robotics, manufacturing processes and enterprise-led upgrading, Beijing is reinforcing the role of intelligent systems in productivity, competitiveness and high-quality industrial growth.

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European Commission backs €5 billion fund for AI and deep tech

The European Commission has announced that the European Innovation Council Fund Board has selected EQT as the preferred investment adviser and fund manager for the new €5 billion Scaleup Europe Fund, an initiative designed to support European deep-tech scaleups.

According to the Commission, the fund will be the largest initiative of its kind launched in Europe and forms a central pillar of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy. It aims to provide late-stage growth capital for European companies operating in strategic technology sectors, including AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, clean technology, biotech, medical technologies, space and dual-use technologies.

European officials said the fund is intended to address the financing gap that has often pushed promising European scaleups to seek investment outside the continent. The aim is to help more high-growth technology firms remain headquartered and operational in Europe as they expand.

EQT was selected following what the Commission described as a competitive process focused on investment expertise, fundraising capability and operational experience in scaling technology companies.

The initiative is being developed alongside several major European institutional investors and financial organisations, including Novo Holdings, Allianz, CriteriaCaixa, ABP and Santander/Mouro Capital.

The Commission said legal agreements and investor approval processes are underway, with the Scaleup Europe Fund expected to begin investment operations in autumn 2026. The initiative will also be formally presented during the EIC Summit on 3 June 2026.

Why does it matter?

he fund reflects Europe’s concern that strategic technologies such as AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, biotechnology and space are increasingly tied to economic security and geopolitical influence. By creating a large European growth-capital vehicle, the EU policymakers are trying to reduce the pressure on scaleups to rely on foreign financing or relocate abroad, while strengthening Europe’s ability to retain innovation, industrial capacity and technological leadership.

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Indian science ministry outlines AI and quantum technology priorities

India’s Ministry of Science and Technology has outlined a strategy placing AI and quantum sovereignty at the centre of future growth, according to statements by Jitendra Singh. The announcement was made during a programme hosted by the Technology Development Board.

Minister Jitendra Singh said long-term progress in deep technology depends on a coordinated national approach. The minister linked the strategy to the Research, Development and Innovation Fund scheme, which aims to expand private-sector participation in research and innovation.

According to officials, five projects were approved under the scheme in areas including battery technology, satellite systems, healthcare, and unmanned aerial systems. Initial funding disbursement has begun, alongside the release of progress reports and outlining a national quantum safe ecosystem.

Officials said post-quantum cryptography and secure digital infrastructure are emerging priorities under the National Quantum Mission. The announcements were made during a programme hosted by the Technology Development Board in New Delhi, India.

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SAIFA project launched to support AI and high-performance computing in Serbia

The School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Belgrade has announced the launch of SAIFA, the Serbian Artificial Intelligence Factory Antenna, supported by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. According to the organisers, the project forms part of a broader EU initiative focused on interconnected AI and high-performance computing environments.

SAIFA is intended to expand access to AI and computing resources for academia, public administration, startups, and industry. It also aims to integrate national expertise into the broader European AI ecosystem through collaboration, application development, and knowledge exchange.

Project leadership highlighted SAIFA as both a continuation of ongoing work in advanced computing and a step towards stronger regional cooperation within the EU. The initiative includes partners from research, innovation, and government sectors.

A consortium of institutions, including research institutes and government bodies, will support the project’s development and implementation. The launch event and initial meeting took place in Belgrade, Serbia.

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UNESCO expands online course on AI and digital citizenship

UNESCO has launched the second edition of its free Massive Open Online Course focused on digital citizenship and AI, following the first programme, which attracted more than 23,000 registered participants.

The course, titled ‘Educating in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Digital Citizenship from the Classroom’, is expanding internationally through the introduction of a new English-language version alongside its existing Spanish programme. Classes for both versions are scheduled to begin on 15 June 2026.

UNESCO said the initiative aims to help educators, schools, and broader communities better understand how AI systems affect everyday life, democratic participation, and digital environments. According to UNESCO, the course examines algorithms, digital ethics, online behaviour, information integrity, and societal aspects of AI.

The programme covers digital citizenship topics, including disinformation, digital footprints, online participation, and protection of rights in digital spaces.

UNESCO highlighted the importance of analytical skills, critical thinking, and ethical reflection in relation to emerging technologies.

The course includes five thematic modules covering algorithms, AI in education, and the role of digital systems in communication and public discourse. Participants will engage with videos, expert discussions, case studies, and collaborative forums throughout the programme.

Why does it matter?

Educational systems globally are increasingly under pressure to prepare citizens for digital environments shaped by AI, algorithmic recommendation systems, synthetic media, and automated decision-making. Digital literacy is gradually evolving beyond technical competence into a broader set of civic, ethical, and critical thinking skills connected to democratic participation and societal resilience.

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Malta offers free ChatGPT Plus through AI literacy initiative

OpenAI and the Government of Malta have announced a partnership to provide Maltese citizens with access to ChatGPT Plus through a national AI literacy initiative.

The programme, called AI for All, will require participants to complete a course developed by the University of Malta before receiving one year of ChatGPT Plus at no cost. The course is designed to explain what AI is, what it can and cannot do, and how it can be used responsibly at home and at work.

The first phase is scheduled to launch in May, with distribution managed by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority. OpenAI said the programme will scale as more Maltese residents and citizens abroad complete the course.

OpenAI framed the partnership within its OpenAI for Countries initiative, which supports governments and institutions developing national AI adoption strategies. The company said the Malta model combines a locally designed course, access to ChatGPT Plus and a national programme intended to help citizens use AI for learning, work, creativity and public participation.

George Osborne, Head of OpenAI for Countries, said the partnership reflects a model in which national AI access is paired with skills development. Malta’s Minister for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri, said the initiative is intended to help citizens build confidence and practical skills for a digital economy.

Why does it matter?

Malta’s initiative links access to advanced AI tools with structured AI literacy, rather than treating adoption as a matter of availability alone. By requiring citizens to complete training before receiving ChatGPT Plus, the programme addresses both access and responsible use. It also shows how governments may increasingly shape AI adoption through national skills programmes, partnerships with AI companies and public-facing digital capability initiatives.

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ITU Radiocommunication Bureau outlines key aspects future connectivity

ITU Radiocommunication Bureau has highlighted the critical role of radio-frequency spectrum in ensuring digital resilience, emphasising that reliable connectivity underpins essential services such as healthcare, transport and emergency communications.

According to the Bureau, resilience begins before disruption through coordinated spectrum management, international standards and regulatory frameworks. These systems enable wireless networks and satellite services to operate reliably and avoid harmful interference.

The organisation stressed that growing demand for connectivity, including 5G, satellite broadband and AI-enabled systems, increases pressure on spectrum resources. Technical standards and global coordination are therefore essential to maintain interoperability and support innovation.

ITU also pointed to the importance of satellite systems and early warning technologies in responding to climate risks and disasters. Future decisions at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 in China will further shape how resilient digital infrastructure develops globally.

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