The Union Budget 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, sets a forward-looking framework to drive transformative growth in India’s electronics, information technology, and artificial intelligence sectors. The Budget introduces measures to strengthen AI data centres, semiconductor manufacturing, and IT services, positioning India as a global hub for digital infrastructure, innovation, and high-tech investments. AI […]
Generative AI in Education: Tips for Teachers and Students to Maximize Learning
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has rapidly integrated into educational environments, transforming how students and teachers interact with learning. Since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, students have been using chatbots for homework assistance, while teachers employ AI tools to design lesson plans. The technology’s accessibility and intuitive interface, which requires no prior coding or […]
AI vs Humans: Can Workers Compete and Thrive in the Automation Age?
Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping both personal and professional spheres, making it impossible to ignore its impact. The United Nations has long advocated for a “people-first” approach, emphasizing that human oversight must remain central in AI decision-making. In 2024, UN Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned that the fate of humanity should never be entrusted entirely to […]
How AI is Shaping Education and the Future Workforce
The panel discussion highlighted that workforce readiness is now the critical factor in determining whether AI adoption drives growth, anxiety, or inequality within organizations. While access to AI technology is no longer the main barrier, employees often lack the skills, confidence, and guidance to use tools effectively, and executive nervousness can slow adoption. Skilling must […]
Boosting Trust in Healthcare AI: ICR-Led Initiative Receives Key Funding
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, has been awarded a major Medical Research Council (MRC) grant to advance the use of sensitive medical imaging data for research. The nearly £400,000 award will fund the FIREDANSE project—Federated Infrastructure for digital pathology Reporting and Expert Data Annotation in a Secure Environment—developed in collaboration with The Royal […]
Youth Innovators Tackle Climate with AI Farming and Aquaculture Solutions
Ho Chi Minh City, 25 January 2026 – The Youth Digital Citizen Challenge (YDCC) 2025 Hackathon, under the theme “AI for Climate Action,” recognized innovative AI solutions addressing climate challenges in Viet Nam. Top prizes were awarded to projects focusing on salinity forecasting for farmers, smart disease detection in shrimp aquaculture, and low-emission fertilizer optimization. […]
East Asia’s AI-Ready Workforce: A Comparative Study on Reskilling
East Asia is a key driver of global economic and technological progress. While many of its economies lead in AI adoption and literacy, they are grappling with a shrinking workforce due to ageing populations and declining birth rates. To address this challenge, the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific, led by AVPN with support from Google.org and […]
Syria: Restricted Access Resumes at Al Hol Camp as Security Worries Persist
The United Nations has confirmed that limited access has been restored to Syria’s Al Hol camp after days of disruption caused by security concerns. Briefing reporters in New York, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, was able to enter the camp on Friday alongside Syrian government officials, re-establish contact with some […]
UN Raises Alarm Over Growing AI Risks to Children, From Deepfakes to Grooming
UN agencies are warning that artificial intelligence is rapidly amplifying threats to children, with new technologies being exploited for online grooming, deepfakes, cyberbullying and the spread of harmful content. According to Cosmas Zavazava of the International Telecommunication Union, children are increasingly targeted through AI tools that can analyse their online behaviour, emotions and interests, enabling […]
Can AI Turn the Tide? How Technology Is Fighting Forest Fires in Bhutan
A forest fire that broke out near Sangaygang in Thimphu on January 2, 2026, served as a stark reminder that Bhutan’s fire season has begun. While this particular blaze was contained, many others burn for days despite the courageous efforts of firefighters working with limited resources. Recent years have seen increasingly frequent and intense forest […]
AI in African Healthcare: Gates and OpenAI Launch Pilot Projects
The Gates Foundation and OpenAI have announced a $50 million pilot program aimed at advancing AI capabilities for healthcare in Africa. Named Horizon 1000, the initiative will provide funding, technology, and technical support to implement AI solutions in 1,000 primary healthcare clinics across the continent by 2028. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized that while AI […]
AI’s Role in Transforming the Future of Nuclear Energy
Global electricity demand is growing at an unprecedented pace, with projections indicating an increase of over 10,000 terawatt-hours by 2035, roughly equivalent to the current total consumption of all advanced economies. A major driver of this surge is artificial intelligence (AI), which relies heavily on data centers. A medium-sized data center consumes as much electricity […]
Scenario Planning for NGOs Using AI Models
As leaders and staff in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) navigate an increasingly complex world, strategic foresight becomes paramount. Scenario planning, a method for exploring multiple plausible futures, traditionally involves significant human effort in data analysis, trend identification, and narrative construction. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) offers NGOs powerful new tools to augment and enhance these […]
AI for Cleaning and Validating Monitoring Data
In the world of non–governmental organizations (NGOs), data is the lifeblood of accountability, impact measurement, and informed decision-making. From tracking beneficiaries to assessing program effectiveness, the insights you gather directly influence your ability to secure funding, refine strategies, and ultimately, achieve your mission. However, this critical data often comes with a challenge: it’s rarely pristine. […]
AI Localization Challenges and Solutions
As the digital landscape evolves, so too do the opportunities for nonprofit organizations to amplify their impact. Artificial intelligence (AI), once a concept relegated to science fiction, is now a tangible tool poised to revolutionize how NGOs operate. For organizations of all sizes, from bustling urban centers to remote communities across the Global South, understanding […]
Mongolia’s AI Readiness Explored in UNDP’s “The Next Great Divergence” Report
Today, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Mongolia, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications, launched the “The Next Great Divergence” report and convened a high-level dialogue on Mongolia’s readiness for artificial intelligence (AI). The report, published by UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, highlights AI’s potential to […]
Key Lessons NGOs Learned from AI Adoption This Year
Key Lessons NGOs Learned from AI Adoption This Year This year has seen a significant surge in interest and early adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among NGOs worldwide. From large international organizations to smaller, community-based initiatives, many have begun to explore how AI can enhance their operations, streamline workflows, and ultimately, amplify their social […]
How AI Can Reduce Administrative Work in NGOs
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a present-day reality offering powerful solutions for organizations of all sizes, including those dedicated to social impact. For small to medium nonprofits, the administrative burden can often feel like a relentless tide, pulling valuable energy and resources away from core mission work. NGOs.AI is here […]
AI for Gender, Youth, and Inclusion-Focused NGOs
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various sectors, and the non-profit world is no exception. For organizations dedicated to gender equality, youth empowerment, and broader inclusion, AI offers a powerful, albeit complex, suite of tools. This article aims to demystify AI for NGO leaders, fundraisers, program managers, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) specialists, and communications staff […]
Measuring the ROI of AI Investments in NGOs
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a practical tool that can significantly enhance the operations and impact of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). As your organization considers integrating AI technologies, a crucial question arises: how do you measure the return on this investment? This article explores how NGOs can thoughtfully approach measuring the […]
