Unlocking Rural Development through Data and Emerging Technologies in the Global South

Data powers development and is the fuel of emerging technologies which are the driving the global digital revolution and redefining the global future. Data offers a range of new opportunities to break down existing barriers to economic development and social inclusion and to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, rural economies located specially in the Global South, risk being left behind since vast datasets and robust data ecosystems are critical for emerging technologies such as AI-driven solutions.

As a response to both the promise and the challenges of digital transformation in rural economies in the Global South, the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) developed the “Unlocking Rural Development through Data and Emerging Technologies in the Global South”, a knowledge-sharing event focusing on harnessing pioneering initiatives where emerging technologies are being put into practice for sustainable rural development, aiming to bridge the digital divide by ensuring no one is left behind in the current landscape.

This knowledge-sharing event comes at a crucial time as rural economies strive to create opportunities for decent work and promote social inclusion in an era of global digital revolution powered by emerging technologies. While emerging technologies hold immense potential for boosting productivity and improving livelihoods, their benefits have so far been concentrated in large-scale and high-income settings, which is a key barrier to the effective development and use of emerging technologies at a local level.

Over three days, experts and practitioners from the Global South will learn on existing initiatives, exchange knowledge and co-create strategies to leverage local data, AI, and innovation for inclusive growth in rural areas, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and social justice in rural communities.

This Knowledge-Sharing Event on “Unlocking Rural Development through Data and Emerging Technologies in the Global South” puts together rural development specialists, emerging technology experts, policymakers, innovators and researchers to learn from existing initiatives from both academia, public and private sectors and international cooperation partnerships addressing critical questions around data and AI in rural development:

• How can we build high quality, accurate datasets and digital infrastructure to ensure data systems are inclusive and drive rural developement?
• How do we ensure that emerging technology solutions work for everyone?
• How can emerging technologies themselves can help collecting data and then processing it to be really beneficial in rural communities?

Through peer learning and showcasing of initiatives, the event aims to foster a human-centered approach to digital innovation in rural areas. It will advocate for inclusive data collection and use, and explore how citizen-generated data and other non-traditional sources are being integrated into existing systems to ensure that data also reflects the realities of marginalized communities, while emphasizing the importance of investing in data and infrastructure to benefit rural economies in the Global South.

The event will offer a unique opportunity to connect with peers and experts in the field to stay at the forefront of innovation by learning about the latest emerging technologies in rural development being put into practice, enhancing the capacity to create and benefit properly from data and emerging technologies.

By understanding successful cases and demonstrating the long-term returns of investing in data systems, attendees will be better equipped to advocate for stronger support and funding for digital transformation in rural and bring to work a clearer vision of how to leverage technology while safeguarding equity and social justice for rural populations.

This knowledge-sharing event is addressed to:

• the ILO’s tripartite constituents;
• data and emerging technology experts;
• policymakers involved in rural development;
• practitioners from development partner agencies and international organizations;
• social innovators and entrepreneurs; and
• academia and members of civil society organizations engaged in addressing critical questions around data and emerging technologies in rural development.

During the three-day event, through interactive and participatory sessions, participants will:

• Be introduced to the importance of data for emerging technologies in the current landscape;
• Explore how traditional and innovative data sources can be integrated to fuel innovation;
• Learn from public and private initiatives leveraging data for rural development;
• Discover partnership and international cooperation efforts advancing inclusive data ecosystems;
• Reflect on challenges of scaling data-driven initiatives and engage in a foresight exercise to envision future opportunities.

Discussions will highlight innovative solutions developed for rural development are fair and accountable and to  collaboratively advance digital innovation in the Global South.

The Knowledge-Sharing Event on “Unlocking Rural Development through Data and Emerging Technologies in the Global South” will take place over three days, from 18 to 20 November 2025 and will consist of six online live sessions, of 90 minutes each, delivered in Zoom Platform, with access links available in the ITCILO eCampus.

Each session will be hosted by a facilitator and an expert on the topic of the session.

To receive the certification, participantes need to attend to all the six sessions as detailed in the event’s agenda and on the online learning environment on the ITCILO’s eCampus.

Applicants are kindly asked to send us a completed online registration form: https://oarf2.itcilo.org/DSB/E9719129/en

Language: The course will be held in English.

Course Fees: The event is free for participants with hosting cost being fully covered by the ITCILO Development Investment Programme.

Certificate: After successfully participating in all sessions and its activities, participants obtain an official ITCILO Certificate of Participation in Digital Credentials Format.

Contact: For further information, please email devinvest@itcilo.org or v.dasilva@itcilo.org directly.