Finland Leading the Way in Digital Innovation and Future Skills, Nigeria Embracing Emerging Technologies for Productive Governance, UK Focusing on Data Initiatives to Transform Public Services, and More
Published: 2023-10-11Finland is leading the way in digital innovation and future skills, with a strong focus on making digital services accessible to all citizens. The Finnish government aims to equip at least 80% of adults with basic digital skills by 2030. This commitment to digitalization is supported by a robust digital infrastructure and a digitally literate population.
One of the key aspects of Finland’s approach to digitalization is its emphasis on transparency and information security. The government strives to make digital services more invisible, automating processes such as tax returns to make them easier and more efficient for citizens. This not only saves time and effort but also ensures that information is handled securely.
In addition to its focus on digitalization, Finland is also committed to environmental sustainability. The country has implemented initiatives such as green data centers and the transfer of excess heat to the municipal district heating system. These efforts not only reduce the environmental impact of digital services but also contribute to the overall well-being of the population.
Moving to Nigeria, experts at the annual Nigeria eGovernment Summit highlighted the need for the government to leverage emerging digital technologies to make governance more productive and accessible. Technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, Blockchain, and Big Data Analytics can revolutionize the way services are delivered to citizens.
The summit also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors, capacity building, and local content development in driving eGovernment processes. By working together and investing in the development of digital skills, Nigeria can ensure that its citizens have access to the information and services they need.
In the UK, the public sector is increasingly focusing on data initiatives to transform its services. The Government’s Integrated Data Service has gained accreditation as a trusted research environment, allowing for the ethical use of public sector data. However, concerns about data quality and ethical use are growing, particularly as AI is being explored for decision-making.
To address these issues, the upcoming UKAuthority virtual conference, AI & Data4Good 2023, will showcase initiatives in the public sector and provide a platform for discussion. This conference will bring together speakers from various organizations and allow online attendees to contribute to the conversation.
Meanwhile, a new task force called GenAI for Local Governments is exploring how generative AI can improve city services while ensuring just, equitable, and reliable use. This task force, consisting of representatives from local governments, universities, and private-sector organizations, aims to guide the project and publish its findings in April.
In Jordan, security forces are facing a new challenge with the surge in drone smuggling operations. Drones are being used to transport drugs, arms, and explosives across the border from Syria, posing a significant threat to national security. The use of drones for smuggling has increased due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of operation.
To counter this emerging threat, it is crucial for the United States and its allies to support Jordan in enhancing its technical capacities and intelligence gathering. By investing in technology and sharing knowledge, Jordan can better detect and intercept drones used for smuggling.
In the field of biodiversity and ecosystem services, David Obura has been elected as the Chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform. Obura aims to promote science-led decision-making and increase the role of data and knowledge sharing in addressing the crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Finally, Google has warned of a new flaw in the HTTP/2 protocol that can be exploited to launch massive DDoS attacks. While Google and other major cloud providers have developed mitigations for this flaw, any company or user hosting HTTP-based workloads should apply vendor patches to ensure their systems are secure.
Overall, these news summaries highlight the importance of data, information, and knowledge sharing in driving digital innovation and improving public services. By leveraging emerging technologies and promoting transparency and accessibility, countries can create a better future for their citizens.
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/10/12/finland-digital-innovation-journeyRelated news on 2023-10-11
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