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UNESCO-backed initiative promotes AI skills and workforce innovation in East Africa

Nearly 1,000 students from across East Africa participated in the AI4EAC Innovation Challenge, a regional initiative designed to strengthen AI skills while encouraging practical solutions to local challenges.

Supported by UNESCO Campus Africa and several regional and international partners, the programme brought together students from 57 universities across East Africa.

One of the programme’s central themes was employment and workforce development through the Skills2Job Challenge. Participants were tasked with developing AI systems capable of identifying suitable occupations based on an individual’s skills profile.

Using data from UNESCO’s Global Skills Tracker, students developed machine-learning models aimed at improving career guidance, workforce mobility and skills-based hiring.

The winning projects explored different approaches to matching skills with labour market opportunities. Several participants argued that labour markets across Africa continue to place significant emphasis on formal qualifications, often overlooking transferable skills that could support employment across multiple sectors and industries.

UNESCO said the initiative demonstrates growing demand for AI skills across the region while highlighting the ability of young innovators to develop solutions tailored to local economic and social challenges.

The programme forms part of wider efforts to strengthen links between higher education, innovation ecosystems and employment opportunities throughout Africa.

Why does it matter?

The initiative highlights how AI can be applied to address practical development challenges, including the gap between education outcomes and labour market needs. By focusing on skills-based matching rather than formal qualifications alone, AI tools could help improve workforce mobility, career guidance and access to employment opportunities.

The programme also reflects the growing importance of AI capacity development across Africa. As governments, universities and businesses invest in digital transformation, building local AI talent and innovation ecosystems will be essential for ensuring that AI solutions are developed in ways that reflect regional priorities, economic realities and social needs.

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South Korea and Saudi Arabia expand cooperation on AI and digital transformation

South Korea and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in AI and digital transformation as part of a broader partnership spanning energy, advanced industries and critical mineral supply chains.

The agreement was signed in Riyadh by South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-Kwan and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

While the memorandum includes cooperation in oil and gas, a key focus is the use of AI and digital technologies to modernise energy infrastructure, improve resource management and enhance operational efficiency.

The two countries also agreed to expand collaboration in advanced technology sectors, including AI, digital innovation and emerging industrial technologies. The partnership aims to combine Saudi Arabia’s resource base with South Korea’s industrial and technological capabilities to support future economic growth and industrial development.

Officials described the agreement as an important step towards deeper cooperation in emerging technologies, with AI expected to play an increasingly important role in energy innovation, supply-chain resilience and industrial transformation.

Why does it matter?

The agreement highlights how AI is becoming an increasingly important component of industrial and energy policy. Governments are no longer viewing AI solely as a digital technology sector, but as a tool for improving efficiency, resilience and competitiveness across strategic industries such as energy, manufacturing and resource management.

The partnership also reflects a broader trend of linking technological cooperation with economic diversification and supply-chain security. By combining Saudi Arabia’s resource strengths with South Korea’s technological and industrial expertise, the two countries are seeking to position themselves more strongly within the evolving global landscape of AI-driven industrial development.

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UK deepens AI adoption in healthcare with new NHS funding

According to UKAuthority, the UK government is investing nearly £30 million to expand the use of AI-powered diagnostic technologies across England’s National Health Service (NHS). The funding aims to accelerate diagnoses and improve patient care for millions of people.

Under the programme, £20 million will be allocated to deploy AI-powered chest X-ray tools across every NHS trust in England by 2029. The technology is already used by around half of NHS trusts and has supported more than four million patients through faster lung cancer diagnosis or clearance.

A further £8.1 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) will support trials of six AI and digital technologies across 13 NHS sites. The technologies will assess scans and cardiac tests, prioritise urgent cases and provide digital therapies for a range of health conditions.

The investment forms part of the AI Diagnostic Fund under the Prime Minister’s AI Exemplars programme. Healthcare organisations and charities welcomed the initiative while noting that successful implementation will also depend on workforce capacity, digital infrastruture and operational readiness across the NHS.

Why does it matter?

The investment reflects the growing role of AI in healthcare, particularly in diagnostic imaging and clinical decision support. By helping clinicians identify urgent cases more quickly and process growing volumes of medical data, AI tools have the potential to improve efficiency and reduce delays in patient care.

The initiative also highlights a broader challenge facing health systems: scaling AI successfully requires more than access to technology. Workforce skills, digital infrastructure, clinical integration and governance frameworks will play a key role in determining whether AI delivers measurable improvements in healthcare outcomes.

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South Korea launches AI-RAN project for 6G networks

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has launched the AI-RAN Global Flagship Project, a multi-year research and development programme backed by an investment of 47 billion won (approximately $31.2 million). The initiative aims to develop AI native network technologies for the 6G era.

The project will run until 2030 and brings together South Korea’s three largest mobile operators, SK Telecom, KT Corp and LG Uplus, alongside technology companies, universities and research institutions. The programme aims to integrate AI training and inference capabilities directly into next-generation network architecture.

As part of the initiative, ETRI plans to build an AI-RAN virtual network platform based on commercial base station software and establish a testing environment for validating AI-powered wireless network technologies.

ETRI said it will collaborate with international organisations, including the AI-RAN Alliance, 3GPP and the O-RAN Alliance, to support joint research and contribute to global standardisation efforts. The project forms part of South Korea’s efforts to strengthen AI-native network technologies and secure a leading position in the development of 6G communications.

Why does it matter?

AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network) is emerging as a key component of future telecommunications infrastructure. By embedding AI capabilities directly into network operations, operators could improve network efficiency, optimise resource allocation and support increasingly complex applications that require real-time processing.

The initiative also reflects intensifying global competition around 6G technologies. As countries and companies position themselves for the next generation of communications infrastructure, AI-native networks are becoming an important area of research, standardisation and strategic investment that could shape the future of connectivity and digital services.

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Manchester tops UK AI city ranking for third consecutive year

Manchester has ranked as the UK’s most AI-ready city outside London for the third consecutive year, according to the SAS AI Cities 2026 Index.

The index, produced by data and AI company SAS, assesses cities using indicators including AI-related jobs, business activity, innovation funding, education opportunities and digital infrastructure.

Manchester received the highest overall score in the 2026 index, supported by strong AI employment, education and business activity. SAS said the city recorded the highest number of AI businesses in the ranking, with 655 organisations operating in the sector.

The city also performed strongly in Innovate UK funding for AI and data economy projects, while skills and training initiatives have supported Greater Manchester’s wider AI ecosystem.

Recent regional initiatives include the expansion of technology learning hubs for secondary school students and the Future of Work Alliance, a five-year programme focused on AI research, training, internships and scholarships.

Bristol, Glasgow, Oxford, Birmingham, Southampton, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool and Cambridge completed the top ten cities in the 2026 ranking.

Why does it matter?

The ranking points to the growing importance of regional AI ecosystems beyond London. Cities competing for AI investment increasingly need a mix of skills, education, research links, digital infrastructure, business activity and public-sector support. Manchester’s position suggests that local AI strategies are becoming part of wider economic development and workforce planning, although the ranking should be read as a private-sector index rather than an official measure of national AI capacity.

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Foxconn and Schneider Electric partner on AI data centre infrastructure

Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) has formed a strategic partnership with Schneider Electric to develop next-generation AI data centres and support the global expansion of AI infrastructure.

The companies plan to develop a reference architecture for AI data centres focused on closed-loop energy optimisation, modular power and cooling systems, and standardised designs. They aim to create repeatable, high-performance ‘AI factory’ models that can be deployed at scale.

Foxconn said the collaboration will help create scalable and energy-efficient infrastructure to meet growing demand for AI computing capacity. The company said the partnership is designed to deliver integrated solutions for large-scale AI applications.

Schneider Electric said the rapid growth of AI is increasing the importance of energy systems capable of supporting large-scale computing workloads. The company added that closer integration between computing and energy management will be essential for building resilient and efficient AI infrastructure, particularly as AI deployment expands in Taiwan and globally.

Why does it matter?

The partnership highlights the growing importance of infrastructure in the AI economy. As demand for AI computing accelerates, data centres are becoming critical strategic assets, requiring significant investment in power, cooling and energy management systems to support increasingly intensive workloads.

The announcement also reflects a broader shift towards integrated approaches that combine computing infrastructure with energy optimisation. As governments and companies seek to expand AI capacity while managing costs and sustainability concerns, efficient data centre design is likely to become a key factor in the competitiveness of national and regional AI ecosystems.

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Armenian finance minister highlights AI’s economic potential and risks

Armenia’s Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan said AI could support economic growth while also creating new economic and labour-market challenges. He made the comments during a parliamentary discussion on the performance of the 2025 state budget.

Hovhannisyan said the impact of AI is being widely debated internationally and that governments around the world are actively exploring its economic implications. He was responding to questions about AI’s potential effect on GDP growth and the expansion of the tax base.

The minister cited international estimates suggesting that AI adoption could add approximately 0.8 to 1 percentage point to economic growth. He said AI has the potential to generate new forms of employment while supporting productivity and economic growth.

At the same time, Hovhannisyan warned that AI could disrupt existing jobs and create adjustment challenges for labour markets. The remarks were made during discussions on Armenia‘s 2025 budget performance, as the government’s 2026 budget projects economic growth of 5,4%.

Why does it matter?

The comments reflect a broader global debate about AI’s economic impact. Policymakers increasingly view AI as a potential driver of productivity, innovation and economic growth, while also recognising the possibility of labour-market disruption and changing workforce demands.

For emerging economies such as Armenia, the challenge is not only adopting AI technologies but also ensuring that workers and businesses can benefit from them. The long-term impact of AI on growth, employment and public finances will depend on investment, skills development and the ability to adapt to technological change.

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Canada seeks stronger privacy rights through new digital governance law

The Canadian government has introduced the Protecting Privacy and Consumer Data Act, a major legislative proposal designed to modernise the country’s private-sector privacy framework and strengthen protections in an increasingly AI-driven digital environment.

According to the government, Canada’s existing privacy legislation was developed more than 25 years ago and no longer reflects technological realities such as AI, automated decision-making systems, deepfakes and the large-scale collection of children’s data.

The proposed law seeks to address those challenges by establishing stronger rights for individuals and clearer obligations for organisations.

The legislation would recognise privacy as a fundamental right, strengthen protections for children’s data, require meaningful consent for the collection and use of personal information, and introduce greater transparency around automated decision-making.

Canadians would also gain the right to request the deletion of their personal information and benefit from enhanced safeguards when their data is transferred outside Canada.

The proposed framework would be overseen by a newly established Digital Safety and Data Protection Commission of Canada.

The regulator would have authority to issue binding orders and impose significant penalties on organisations that fail to comply with privacy requirements. The government describes the legislation as a key component of its recently launched national AI strategy, aimed at strengthening trust in digital services, data-driven innovation and emerging technologies.

Why does it matter?

The proposed legislation represents one of Canada’s most significant privacy reforms in decades and reflects a broader international trend of updating data protection frameworks for the AI era. As AI systems, automated decision-making tools and digital platforms become more deeply embedded in everyday life, governments are seeking stronger safeguards for personal data, transparency and accountability.

The bill also signals a growing convergence between privacy policy and AI governance. By introducing stronger protections for children’s data, new rights for individuals and greater oversight of automated systems, Canada is positioning privacy as a key foundation for public trust in digital services and emerging technologies.

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European Commission opens applications for RAISE AI research advisory board

The European Commission has opened applications for the RAISE High-Level Academic Advisory Board, inviting leading researchers in AI and AI-enabled science to help shape Europe’s future AI research agenda.

The advisory board will support the implementation of the EU’s AI in Science Strategy and provide independent scientific guidance on the development of RAISE (Resource for AI Science in Europe).

RAISE was launched in 2025 under Horizon Europe to strengthen European leadership in both fundamental AI research and the application of AI across scientific disciplines.

The Commission is seeking academics with expertise in AI research or experience applying AI in fields such as medicine, climate science and advanced materials. Board members will provide strategic recommendations on research priorities, governance structures, benchmarks and framework conditions needed to accelerate AI-enabled scientific discovery.

Through RAISE, the EU aims to bring together leading researchers, computational resources, data and funding within a coordinated ecosystem that supports scientific excellence and strengthens Europe’s position in global AI research and innovation.

Why does it matter?

The initiative reflects growing recognition that AI is becoming a foundational tool for scientific discovery across disciplines ranging from healthcare and climate research to materials science and physics. Governments are increasingly investing in AI research infrastructure to ensure that researchers have access to the computing power, data and expertise needed to remain globally competitive.

The advisory board also highlights Europe’s ambition to play a larger role in shaping the future of AI-enabled science. By coordinating talent, infrastructure and funding through initiatives such as RAISE, the EU aims to strengthen both its scientific capacity and its position in the global race for AI innovation.

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Humanists UK urges government to adopt human-centred AI principles

Humanists UK has urged the UK government to place human dignity, democratic oversight and human flourishing at the centre of AI governance.

The call followed a House of Lords debate on the impact of AI on human relationships and society, during which peers discussed the ethical, social and regulatory challenges raised by rapidly advancing AI systems.

Humanists UK pointed out to the government the Luxembourg Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Human Values, adopted by Humanists International in 2025. The declaration argues that AI should support human judgement, the common good, democratic governance, transparency, autonomy and protection from harm.

Lord Michael Cashman, a patron of Humanists UK and member of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, urged the government not to ‘reinvent the wheel’ and said the declaration already sets out principles relevant to AI governance.

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Clement-Jones said the debate showed a convergence of values across different traditions, including the need for democratic oversight, transparency and safeguards to ensure AI serves human beings rather than replacing them.

Responding for the government, Digital Economy Minister Baroness Lloyd of Effra said AI is already changing the economy, public services and human relationships. She said the government’s responsibility is to ensure that the transformation strengthens rather than diminishes the fabric of society.

Humanists UK said it has written to Baroness Lloyd and shared a copy of the Luxembourg Declaration.

Why does it matter?

The story reflects the growing role of civil society, religious groups and ethical movements in AI governance debates. While it does not signal a new UK policy, it shows how discussions on AI safety are broadening beyond technical risk to include human dignity, democratic accountability, transparency, autonomy and the public interest. Such value-based frameworks may influence how governments frame future AI regulation, assurance and safeguards.

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