China, Saudi Arabia, and Europe Advance Data-driven Governance Initiatives

China, Saudi Arabia, and Europe are all making significant strides in advancing their digital economies and promoting transparent and accountable public governance through the use of data and AI technologies.

China recently established the National Data Agency (NDA) under the National Development and Reform Commission. Led by Liu Liehong, the NDA aims to digitize government services, build smart cities, and promote data sharing between public and private entities. With its vast data resources, China aims to gain a competitive edge in the global AI race and shape the future of AI technology [7d1120b0].

Similarly, Saudi Arabia has launched the National Data Index (Nudei) to promote transparency, create a national data-based economy, and assess data maturity in government entities. The index, a collaboration between the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority and the National Transformation Program, evaluates government agencies' progress in data management and compliance. These initiatives in Saudi Arabia demonstrate the country's commitment to digital transformation and its efforts to leverage data for economic growth and innovation [7d1120b0].

In Europe, the CEDAR project aims to promote transparent and accountable public governance. The project, funded by Horizon Europe and involving 31 partners, focuses on sharing high-quality datasets, developing secure connectors for European data repositories, and employing innovative technologies for efficient big data management and analysis. CEDAR aims to combat corruption, reduce fraud, and promote evidence-based decision-making in public administration. It will identify, collect, fuse, harmonize, protect, and share new high-quality datasets, as well as develop methods, tools, and guidelines for digitizing, protecting, and integrating data using AI and big data technologies. The project will implement advanced machine learning pipelines, multimedia processing technologies, graph-based analysis, and econometric methods to detect complex corruption patterns in financial transactions and socioeconomic data. CEDAR will validate its activities through specific use cases in Italy, Slovenia, and Ukraine, focusing on monitoring national recovery funds, transparent management of public healthcare funds, and transparent management of foreign aid for rebuilding Ukraine [001f70be].

These initiatives in China, Saudi Arabia, and Europe highlight their commitment to digital transformation and their efforts to leverage data for economic growth, innovation, and transparent public governance. By establishing national data agencies and implementing data-driven governance projects, these countries aim to drive the development of AI, shape the future of their digital economies, and combat corruption through evidence-based decision-making.