The International Telecommunication Union has published an updated overview of global standards related to the internet of things, digital twins, and smart, sustainable cities. The document was approved in September 2025 and released in January 2026 as a reference guide for policymakers, regulators, and technical communities.
The World Wide Web Consortium has published an updated draft of the Web Neural Network API, a technical specification that aims to make artificial intelligence tasks run faster directly in web browsers by using specialised hardware.
A coalition of civil society organisations has launched a campaign calling for the integration of humanitarian safeguards into the deployment of direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite connectivity technologies, citing recent internet shutdowns in Iran as a case that illustrates the risks of large-scale connectivity disruptions.
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2026 has launched its Open Consultation Process, inviting governments, civil society, the private sector, and the technical community to help shape the programme and priorities of one of the UN’s main platforms for digital development.
A January 2026 report by the US Council of Economic Advisers argues that artificial intelligence is likely to accelerate economic divergence between countries, with the United States positioned as the main beneficiary under current investment and policy trends.
Backing the European Commission’s Apply AI Strategy, the European Economic and Social Committee argues that reliability, trust and inclusive governance should define Europe’s approach to artificial intelligence deployment.
A new UN Women policy brief examines the dual role of artificial intelligence in enabling and countering technology-facilitated gender-based violence across the region.
The American Registry for Internet Numbers has opened registration for ARIN 57, its next Public Policy and Members Meeting, scheduled for April 2026 with both in-person and online participation.
The Global Network Initiative has commented on the internet disruption reported in Uganda during the January 2026 general elections, referring to its broader work on the impacts of network shutdowns and applicable international standards.
A new report by the International Telecommunication Union examines how countries and organisations can assess their preparedness to adopt and scale artificial intelligence. The document presents an analytical framework designed to measure AI readiness across infrastructure, skills, data, governance, and innovation systems, based on empirical use cases and expert input.
Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE) is a project co-funded by the European Union.
