The Green Revolution helped India avert famine in the 20th century by boosting agricultural productivity, but its heavy dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides created long-term environmental and health challenges. As a result, organic farming is gaining momentum, combining scientific advances with traditional practices to produce healthier food while restoring soil quality. Amit Singh of […]
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Asia-Pacific’s AI Moment: Who Leads and Who Lags Behind?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping global opportunities and risks, and this transformation is especially evident across Asia and the Pacific. UNDP’s upcoming regional report, The Next Great Divergence: Why AI may widen inequality between countries, highlights that while AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, countries are starting from vastly different positions. Some nations are […]
Africa’s Digital Future: UAE Launches $1 Billion AI Infrastructure Initiative
The UAE has launched a $1 billion initiative to support and finance artificial intelligence projects across African countries. Announced at the G20 summit by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the AI for Development program aims to expand the adoption of advanced technologies in key sectors such as education, […]
Surge in Digital Violence Against Women Fueled by AI and Anonymity
Online abuse against women is escalating rapidly, fueled by artificial intelligence, anonymity, and weak legal protections. UN Women warns that 1.8 billion women and girls worldwide still lack adequate legal safeguards against online harassment and technology-facilitated abuse. The rise in digital violence coincides with the 16 Days of Activism campaign, highlighting the urgent need to […]
Africa Launches New Blueprint to Build the Next Generation of AI Talent
Across Africa, interest in artificial intelligence is surging, with public enthusiasm reaching exceptionally high levels. Yet businesses report that their greatest obstacle is not access to funding but finding workers with the AI skills needed to grow. This widening skills gap threatens to limit the continent’s technological and economic potential, making targeted investment in talent […]
UN Warns Healthcare Sector to Adopt Legal Protections for AI
The World Health Organization’s Europe office has issued a strong warning about the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in healthcare, stressing the urgent need for legal safeguards and clear governance. While AI is increasingly used to help doctors detect diseases, streamline administrative tasks, and improve communication with patients, WHO cautioned that without proper strategies on […]
How Community-Driven AI Is Shaping the Future of Humanitarian Communication
A recent discussion on the use of AI-generated visuals in the humanitarian sector highlights concerns about charities creating synthetic images of poverty and suffering. While ethical risks persist, the conversation also opens possibilities for using AI to produce more empowering representations. One overlooked opportunity is the potential for organisations to collaborate directly with communities to […]
Rockefeller Foundation, Cassava Technologies Boost AI Computing for NGOs in Africa
Cassava Technologies and The Rockefeller Foundation have launched a major collaboration to expand access to artificial intelligence computing for African organizations. Through this initiative, Cassava will provide AI compute capacity—powered by NVIDIA infrastructure—to several of the Foundation’s grantees working across Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. The effort aims to boost […]
AI-Related Risks: ILO Urges HR Managers to Boost Awareness and Skills
A new ILO working paper studying the use of artificial intelligence in human resource management reveals that many AI tools used by organizations are based on unclear objectives, incomplete or biased data, and opaque programming processes. According to the authors, these weaknesses can distort HR decision-making, reinforce existing inequalities, and create significant legal and ethical […]
Africa’s Public Data Infrastructure: Key to Unlocking the AI Future
Public data—from census information to administrative records—is crucial for addressing major challenges such as food security, climate change, and economic development. In Africa, where the population is young and rapidly growing, this data will be central to shaping an AI-enabled future. As the continent has previously leapfrogged technological barriers, it now has the opportunity to […]
Infosys Introduces AI-First GCC Framework to Power Next-Gen Innovation Centers
Infosys announced the launch of its new AI-First GCC Model, a specialized offering designed to accelerate the creation and transformation of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) into AI-powered innovation hubs. The new model aims to help enterprises position their GCCs as strategic assets that enhance innovation, agility, and competitiveness in an AI-driven world. The offering builds […]
Ghana Advances Development Goals Through Intelligent De-Risking of Private Sector Finance
Micro, small, and medium enterprises are central to Ghana’s economy, yet many business owners continue to face major barriers to financial inclusion. Although MSMEs generate most of the country’s employment and economic activity, many operate informally, lack financial literacy, and cannot access traditional financial services. As a result, they frequently rely on high-interest digital loans […]
The Environmental Cost of AI and How the World Can Respond
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is raising awareness about the growing environmental footprint of artificial intelligence (AI) ahead of the United Nations Environment Assembly in December. While AI holds promise for addressing environmental challenges, such as monitoring methane emissions and mapping ecosystem damage, research highlights its negative environmental impacts, including high energy use, water […]
Governments Move to Curb AI Child Exploitation Content with Tough New Legislation
The UK government has introduced world-leading legislation to prevent the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), working closely with the AI industry and child protection organisations to ensure safeguards are built into AI models. The new laws will empower the Technology Secretary and Home Secretary to designate AI developers and organisations such as […]
Empowering the Future: New Commitments in AI and Education
AI is rapidly transforming the way people learn and teach, opening new possibilities while also prompting reflection on how to ensure education remains a foundation for a better future. In this context, Google has published a paper titled AI and the Future of Learning and hosted the Google AI for Learning Forum in London, in […]
Implementing and Scaling AI Solutions: Best Practices for Safe and Effective Adoption
Adnan and Erik discussed their ongoing projects that aim to transform healthcare delivery through artificial intelligence (AI). Adnan’s project focuses on automating the screening process for diabetic retinopathy — a condition caused by diabetes that can lead to vision loss. Currently, millions of retinal images are analyzed manually by trained technicians each year in the […]
Learning from Global Leaders in AI for Health and Care Innovation
Countries around the world are taking diverse approaches to implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in health and care systems, guided by the need for clear strategy, regulation, and collaboration. Norway has developed a Joint Action Plan to ensure the safe and effective integration of AI within its health services. Its strategy focuses on cross-agency cooperation and […]
How AI Is Revolutionizing Waste Recycling for a Cleaner Planet
In an era where environmental sustainability is paramount, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force in waste recycling. The global waste crisis, characterized by overflowing landfills and increasing pollution, necessitates innovative solutions that can enhance recycling processes and reduce waste generation. AI technologies are being harnessed to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and ultimately […]
How AI Helps NGOs Bridge Language Barriers in Crisis Situations
In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to communicate effectively across language barriers is more crucial than ever, especially in crisis situations. Natural disasters, armed conflicts, and public health emergencies often displace populations and create environments where communication becomes a matter of life and death. When individuals are unable to understand or convey critical information […]
