AI Skills for UN personnel is an initiative led by the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC), in close collaboration with the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and Microsoft Elevate, with contributions from teams across the UN, in support of the UN 2.0 and UN80 agendas.

Recent technological advances with emerging technologies like Artificial intelligence, Big data, the Internet of Things, Mobile banking, and many others offer multiple opportunities to optimize the governance of cities and territories in Africa. In a context of rapid urban transformation, digital governance then emerges as a key element to promote Digital Inclusion, Transparency, Accountability, and Public Participation in urban management while building more Safe, Resilient and Inclusive African cities. Through Case Studies, Experience Sharing, Expert Testimonies, and Learning Materials, this MOOC aims to equip participants with tools to transform urban systems through digital-based solutions for more Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable African Cities.

AI-powered robots, and in particular humanoid and semi-humanoid robots, are increasingly recognised as a foundational and emerging technology with the potential to profoundly transform work, learning, and social systems. This course is part of the broader reflection on the nexus between emerging technologies and decent work: using human-machine collaboration as a guiding lens, the course provides a space to learn about the status of humanoid robots today, their opportunities, risks, and ethical dimensions to act fast and responsibly as its impact on the world of work and learning accelerates. Grounded in the UN and ILO human-centred approach to technology, the course invites participants to explore how humanoid and semi-humanoid robots can be harnessed, rather than merely adopted, to support social justice, decent work, and sustainable development.

The course builds upon the Inclusive Digital Economies and Gender Equality Playbook, UNCDF’s practical how-to guide on using the market system development approach to decrease the digital and financial divide for women and girls, use technology to improve women’s economic opportunities and help to transform women into builders of emerging digital economies.