technology

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Technology brings positive change, but ‘collateral damage’ must be minimized: senior UN official

27 August 2019
Economic Development

Digital technology has the potential to bring about a sustainable future, but the “collateral damage” of this transition must be mitigated, says the head of the UN’s technology strategy team, Salem Avan.

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

News in Brief 25 June 2019

25 June 2019
News in Brief
  • ‘Immediate’ moratorium call, on use of surveillance technology
  • 20,000 migrants rescued in Sahara since 2016
  • Concern over slow decline of malnutrition in India 
Audio -
3'25"
WFP/Gabriela Vivacqua

News in Brief 14 June 2019

14 June 2019
News in Brief
  • South Sudanese facing famine in all but name, warns UN food agency
  • Amid Sudan protest uncertainty, Darfur is still in crisis: OCHA
  • 5G technology jeopardizes forecasting and early warning alerts, say UN weather experts
Audio -
4'9"
ITU Twitter

Artificial intelligence summit focuses on fighting hunger, climate crisis and transition to ‘smart sustainable cities’

28 May 2019
SDGs

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is at the forefront of fighting hunger, mitigating the climate crisis and facilitating “the transition to smart sustainable cities", said the chief of the UN agency which specializes in information and communication technologies, Houlin Zhao, kicking off the third AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.

UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

News in Brief 24 April 2019

24 April 2019
News in Brief
  • Violence continuing to inflict ‘high levels of harm’ on Afghan civilians
  • More regulation on new technologies needed: UN Human Rights chief says after visiting Silicon Valley
  • ‘Violent extremism must not divide us’: UN High Commissioner for Refugees on Sri Lanka’s attacks
Audio -
2'32"
IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth

5 world-changing ideas: our top picks for World Creativity and Innovation Day

20 April 2019
Economic Development

A low-cost, tiny home that provides everything you need. A boat made of recycled plastic and flip-flops. Vaccine-delivery drones… As the planet marks World Creativity and Innovation Day on Sunday, we’ve selected our favorite ideas to light up the way to a better future for all, across several sectors.

Screenshot

‘Warp speed’ technology must be ‘force for good’ UN chief tells web leaders

5 November 2018
Economic Development

Technological advances are happening “at a warp speed,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Monday in Lisbon, Portugal, as a major three-day Web Summit got underway.

UN News/Elizabeth Scaffidi

Solar cooking helps sauce up Sustainable Development Goals

20 July 2018
Interviews

Solar cooking can help achieve all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to clean water and gender equality, according to Alan Bigelow, Science Director at Solar Cookers International (SCI).  Solar cooking utilizes heat generated directly from the sun instead of converting sunlight to electricity.  Mr. Bigelow spoke with UN News about the revolutionary cookers.

Audio -
5'48"
World Bank/Simone D. McCourtie

It's high time tech community tackled digital challenge together, says expert panel senior official

12 July 2018
Interviews

It’s “high time” the international community decided how best to embrace the potential benefits of digital technology - and protect against its unexpected negative consequences - a senior official from a panel of tech experts appointed by UN chief António Guterres said on Thursday.

Audio -
7'35"
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Science, technology and innovation crucial to ‘transformative impact’ of Global Goals, UN forum hears

5 June 2018
SDGs

If everyone is to enjoy a future of peace, dignity and opportunity, then science, technology and innovation need to be at the heart of the race to reach the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, a Forum at UN Headquarters heard on Tuesday.