World News in Brief: Tackling the AI digital divide, deadly migration journeys, Lucy Hale named new WFP Goodwill Ambassador

The UN’s Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance is one of the key initiatives on AI. 

It brings together all 193 United Nations Member States, the private sector, civil society, academia and the tech world to share best practices and build common approaches to AI governance.

The Dialogue’s first meeting takes place in Geneva in July; its discussions will draw on data that’s being put together by another UN AI initiative – the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI.

That’s being headed by campaigning Philippines journalist Maria Ressa and iconic computer scientist, Yoshua Bengio. 

‘Science and evidence based’

UN Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Amandeep Gill, said that the debate over policy would be “science and evidence-based,” with a variety of perspectives considered.

“This is how policy discussions should be, and the UN is very proud to facilitate this first ever such confluence of science and policy in a fast-paced emerging technology.”

Ahead of the UN’s AI governance meeting in Switzerland, discussions are continuing between all the parties involved to ensure that the best national initiatives on how to best use the technology can be shared.

Priorities for the Swiss meeting include promoting respect for human rights, drawing up safety measures to prevent the technology from causing harm, and discussing measures to bridge a huge AI access gap, explained co-chairs of the Dialogue, Egriselda López and Rein Tammsaar.

In responses to media questions, the co-chairs and Mr. Gill clarified that military uses of AI would not be part of the discussion but they will address general safety and human rights concerns. 

They underscored optimism that the UN can serve as a global hub for sharing best practices and advancing an action-oriented, inclusive approach to AI governance.

Shifting migration routes claiming more lives, UN agency warns

Nearly 8,000 migrants were reported dead or missing worldwide in 2025, bringing the total recorded fatalities since 2014 to over 82,000, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed on Tuesday.

New data from IOM’s Missing Migrants Project and the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) shows that while arrivals have declined in some regions, migration routes are shifting rather than easing. Enforcement measures and conflict are pushing people toward longer, more fragmented, and increasingly dangerous journeys.

“Routes are shifting in response to conflict, climate pressures, and policy changes, but the risks are still very real,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. 

She emphasized that an estimated 340,000 family members have been directly affected by these disappearances.

Significant shift

The report highlights significant shifts: while northbound movements through Central America and arrivals to the Canary Islands dropped, journeys became more geographically dispersed. In Europe, Bangladeshi nationals emerged as the largest arrival group as Syrian numbers fell.

Ahead of May’s International Migration Review Forum, IOM is calling for stronger international cooperation.

The agency stresses that lower arrival figures do not equate to safer journeys, urging sustained investment in evidence-based responses to save lives and support affected families.

Actress Lucy Hale newest WFP Goodwill Ambassador

American actress and producer Lucy Hale – star of the hit television series Pretty Little Liars – has been named a Goodwill Ambassador with the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN agency announced on Tuesday.

She will advocate on behalf of the more than 318 million people worldwide facing extreme hunger.

Ms. Hale is the daughter of a Tennessee farmer and a nurse. She has raised her voice on behalf of women and children and cares deeply about food security, small-scale farmers, and children’s health and education.

Honour, passion and commitment

“It is the honour of a lifetime to become a WFP Goodwill Ambassador,” she said. “It has long been my dream to give back in this way, and I am eager to shine a spotlight on WFP’s critical work to save and change lives around the world.”

Ms. Hale has been raising awareness and generating support for WFP’s work since 2024, including in Sudan, Gaza, Myanmar, and Ukraine.

“In a world where so many people go to bed hungry, we are fortunate to have someone as passionate and committed as Lucy partnering with us,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.

“Her voice will elevate attention to people and places too often overlooked – and help drive the action needed to reach them.” 

Ms. Hale joins a roster of WFP Goodwill Ambassadors, including fellow Americans actress Kate Hudson and fashion designer Michael Kors, Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur, and Canadian singer and songwriter The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye.