Why Africa’s Economic Resilience Matters for India

Africa’s economic resilience is increasingly important to India’s trade, investment, energy, and strategic interests. India-Africa relations stronger partnerships in infrastructure, digital technology, agriculture, healthcare, and skills can support African growth while creating new opportunities for India and strengthening South–South cooperation.
URL: https://www.orfonline.org/expe....rt-speak/why-africa-

Unlocking SME Financing for BRICS Economies: Lessons from Case Studies

Improving SME access to finance is critical to strengthening growth, innovation, and employment across BRICS economies. Case studies highlight the need for diversified financing channels, stronger financial institutions, digital lending, targeted policy support, and better access to capital for small and medium enterprises.
URL: https://www.orfonline.org/rese....arch/unlocking-sme-f

Built Locally, Scaled Globally: Bridging the Digital Divide with AI Diffusion Pathways

At the ITU AI for Good Summit, leading global voices from UNDP, the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, and international policy organizations came together to showcase the 100 Pathways for AI Diffusion by 2030.

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Built Locally, Scaled Globally: Bridging the Digital Divide with AI Diffusion Pathways

At the ITU AI for Good Summit, leading global voices from UNDP, the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, and international policy organizations came together to showcase the 100 Pathways for AI Diffusion by 2030.

This session shifts the conversation from technological capabilities to real-world deployment, human capacity, and local infrastructure.

Non-Technological Barriers: Robert Opp (UNDP) emphasizes that scaling AI to achieve the SDGs isn't blocked by code or algorithms, but by institutional readiness, governance, and human capacity.

Population-Scale Diffusion: Keyzom Ngodup Massally (AI Hub for Sustainable Development) frames AI adoption as a once-in-a-generation opportunity, calling for global collaboration to bridge the digital divide for millions on the ground.

Proven Local Successes: Eva Spina highlights real-world African-led innovations already operating at scale—from offline AI voice tech to multi-country tele-radiology networks in Ghana, Senegal, and Kenya.

Co-Creation & Local Resilience: Ambassador Philip Thigo makes the case for building technology with communities rather than importing pre-packaged solutions, showing why models built in complex local environments create more resilient global software.

#AIForGood #AI4SDGs #SustainableDevelopment #GlobalSouth #DigitalDivide #UNDP #AIInfrastructure #ResponsibleAI #TechForImpact #ITU #AIDiffusion #GlobalHealthAI

Unlocking Last-Mile AI: Workflows, Local Languages & Offline Access

Artificial Intelligence achieves its highest potential not by replacing people, but by empowering those on the frontlines. When integrated seamlessly into daily workflows—supporting local languages and operating both online and offline—AI can democratize access to healthcare, education, and agriculture at an unprecedented scale.

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Unlocking Last-Mile AI: Workflows, Local Languages & Offline Access

Artificial Intelligence achieves its highest potential not by replacing people, but by empowering those on the frontlines. When integrated seamlessly into daily workflows—supporting local languages and operating both online and offline—AI can democratize access to healthcare, education, and agriculture at an unprecedented scale.

This session breaks down the essential blueprint for moving AI from small-scale pilots to population-wide deployment. Discover why trust, minimal data collection, regulatory sandboxes, and interoperable standards are crucial for building last-mile AI solutions that governments, communities, and frontline workers can confidently adopt.

Speakers:

Aashi Agarwal, Director, Global Health, Qure.AI

Krishna Raju Jampana, Director of Digital Transformation, EkStep Foundation

Nidhi Bhasin, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Green

Manjari Sheel, Senior Product Manager, Wadhwani AI

Moderator: Rudra Chaudhuri, Vice-president, Observer Research Foundation

#AIAtScale #FrontlineAI #LastMileTech #InclusiveAI #AIGovernance #TechForGood #DigitalTransformation #EthicalAI #PublicSectorAI

India’s Titanium Bottleneck Could Threaten Fighter Jet and Submarine Ambitions

India’s growing defence ambitions face a potential titanium supply bottleneck, with implications for fighter aircraft and submarine production. India titanium production strengthening domestic titanium processing, diversifying supply chains, and building strategic material capabilities will be crucial to reducing vulnerabilities and supporting long-term defence manufacturing.
URL: https://www.orfonline.org/expe....rt-speak/the-titaniu