TLDR: UNESCO and the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School are launching a free, open-access online course titled ‘AI and Digital Transformation in Government’ on November 10, 2025. This initiative aims to equip civil servants and public leaders globally with the essential knowledge and practical skills to ethically and effectively implement artificial intelligence and digital technologies, addressing a critical gap in current e-government strategies.
In a significant move to bolster digital governance worldwide, UNESCO and the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School are set to launch a new, free online course, ‘AI and Digital Transformation in Government,’ on November 10, 2025. This global initiative is designed to empower public sector workers with the necessary tools and understanding to navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies responsibly and effectively. The course is a direct response to the current landscape where only 21% of national e-government strategies adequately address the ethical use of AI.
The collaboration was formally announced during UNESCO’s Global Conference on Capacity Building for AI and Digital Transformation in the Public Sector, held from June 4-5, 2025, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The partnership leverages UNESCO’s extensive policy expertise and Oxford’s renowned academic excellence to cultivate a new generation of public leaders. Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information at UNESCO, emphasized this synergy, stating, “By combining UNESCO’s policy expertise with Oxford’s academic excellence, we aim to foster a new generation of public leaders equipped to drive digital transformation responsibly.” Caroline Williams, Executive Director of Oxford Saïd Online, echoed this sentiment, highlighting their commitment to global challenges: “Our collaboration with UNESCO underscores our dedication to addressing global challenges through education. Together, we will develop education that not only imparts technical knowledge but also instill the values necessary for ethical leadership in the digital age.”
Kenya is pioneering the rollout, with its inaugural cohort of participants scheduled to commence in October 2025, ahead of the global launch. This localized effort is part of the broader UN Joint SDG Fund initiative, ‘DigiKen – Digital Platforms Kenya programme,’ which aims to train over 20,000 public servants across the nation by 2027. Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, Principal Secretary for the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy in Kenya, expressed national pride in this pioneering role: “Kenya is proud to pioneer this Massive Open Online Course on AI and Digital Transformation in Government.” He further noted that the MOOC is designed to foster “visionary and ethical leadership, aligned with global best practices in digital governance,” forming the twin pillars of Kenya’s digital transformation strategy.
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The self-paced course is expected to take an average of six weeks to complete and is structured around UNESCO’s AI and Digital Transformation Competency Framework for Civil Servants. Key topics covered include the foundations of AI, understanding data as a public asset, human rights and ethical considerations in AI, effective governance of digital systems, principles of inclusive service design, and developing robust digital leadership skills. This comprehensive curriculum is intended to strengthen public trust in institutions by ensuring leaders are capable of governing digital platforms, safeguarding citizen data, and upholding fundamental human rights in the digital era.
