United Nations Global Pulse

Beyond “Digital as Usual”: Rethinking How We Innovate I was delighted to be a panelist at the UN Global Pulse Partnerships & Networking Event – “Transforming Development: AI, Innovation & Partnerships for the SDGs” at the University of Helsinki. A warm thank you to Tapio Vahtola and Marketta Gland for the kind invitation, and to Timo Pätiälä (Hellon Group) for the expert moderation. It was a privilege to share the panel with Timo Harakka (Member of Parliament, Finland), Sasu Tarkoma (University of Helsinki), Kaisa Salakka (Illusian), and Kristine Alanko (Ministry of Transport and Communications) - each bringing deeply insightful perspectives from policy, research, business, and government. Our conversation underscored that the transformation we seek through AI and innovation must be ethical, human-centred, and sustainable. Technology alone is never the answer - it’s the values, intentions, and collaborations behind it that determine whether progress truly serves people and the planet.   From the education perspective, I shared how, at UNICEF’s Global Learning Innovation Hub in Finland, we are rethinking how digital and AI can accelerate learning for every child - by embedding it meaningfully in systems that empower teachers, promote equity and inclusion, and are grounded in evidence. Despite vast investments in EdTech over the past 15 years, global learning outcomes have barely improved. We need to move beyond "digital as usual" toward smarter, more inclusive, and sustainable innovation that strengthens what we know already works in education. The event also featured inspiring remarks from Jouni Hirvonen (Vice Rector, University of Helsinki) and Tapio Vahtola (Head of Office, United Nations Global Pulse Europe), a keynote from Antti Vasara (Special Envoy for Technology, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland) and a message from Dr. Nina Smidt (CEO, Siemens Stiftung).    Earlier my colleagues Carlos Ferrari and Olli Vallo led a workshop on organizational readiness for innovation, highlighting how teams can build the right culture and capabilities to turn ideas into impact.   It was a reminder that meaningful innovation happens when we combine ethical foresight, human empathy, and scientific rigor - and when every sector works together to ensure that the promise of AI contributes to a fairer and more sustainable world. 🌍 #LearningInnovation #UNICEFLearningInnovationHub 

From pilots to platforms ↔ and platforms to policies. At #UNGA80, Talea von Lupin (Portfolio Manager, United Nations Global Pulse) and Vilas Dhar (President, The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation) discussed how DISHA, an AI-powered platform for disaster response, is helping the United Nations use data to act faster, learn by doing, and scale what works. Developed by United Nations Global Pulse, DISHA is the UN Secretary-General’s innovation lab initiative that turns complex data into actionable insights through reliable, tested models. 🎥 Hear their insights below. #AIforGood #DataForGood #DigitalTransformation 

From pilots to platforms ↔ and platforms to policies. At #UNGA80, Talea von Lupin (Portfolio Manager, United Nations Global Pulse) and Vilas Dhar (President, The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation) discussed how DISHA, an AI-powered platform for disaster response, is helping the United Nations use data to act faster, learn by doing, and scale what works. Developed by United Nations Global Pulse, DISHA is the UN Secretary-General’s innovation lab initiative that turns complex data into actionable insights through reliable, tested models. 🎥 Hear their insights below. #AIforGood #DataForGood #DigitalTransformation 

💡 “For the first time, every country will have a seat at the table of AI.” — António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General On 25 September 2025, during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, Member States, private sector leaders, civil society, academia, and other stakeholders gathered in the Trusteeship Council Chamber for the High-level Multi-Stakeholder Informal Meeting to Launch the Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance. The event was chaired by H.E. Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. The Global Dialogue on AI Governance is the world’s principal venue for collective focus on AI — ensuring that this transformative technology is developed and governed in the public interest. In his address, the Secretary-General outlined the Dialogue’s goals: 🔹 Build safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems grounded in international law and human rights 🔹 Promote interoperability between governance regimes to align rules and boost cooperation 🔹 Encourage open innovation through shared tools and global access With participation from all 193 Member States, the Dialogue represents a truly universal platform for global cooperation on the governance of AI — where every country will have a seat at the table. 🔗 Learn more about the Global Dialogue on AI Governance: un.org/ai-dialogue 🎥 Rewatch the event on UN Web TV: https://lnkd.in/e-6QAmjG #AIGovernance #DigitalCooperation #UNGA80 Office of the President of the General Assembly, United Nations

✨ What is the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI? The first global scientific body dedicated entirely to artificial intelligence, the AI Scientific Panel will bring together 40 leading experts to assess how AI is transforming lives. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in August 2025, the Panel will advance scientific understanding and ensure that international deliberations are informed by the best available evidence. The Panel builds on the Global Digital Compact and the recommendations of the Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Body on AI, and ensures that policymaking on this transformative technology can be grounded in independent science. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eqtWt5Pw #DigitalCooperation #AIGovernance