New global lab turns AI ambition into action through policy support, skills development and public AI infrastructure
GENEVA, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The ITU's AI for Good Lab forms part of the implementation agenda of the United Nations AI for Good Impact Initiative, helping developing and emerging economies move beyond isolated AI pilot projects and build the policy, skills and public infrastructure needed to deploy locally relevant AI solutions responsibly and at scale.
Announced during the AI for Good Global Summit 2026 in Geneva, the Lab brings together three interconnected areas of support: national AI readiness and policy, skills development and public AI infrastructure.
Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei, Chairperson of the United Nations AI for Good Impact Initiative, said:
"Artificial intelligence is entering its implementation decade. Countries are no longer asking whether AI can transform society; they are asking how it can be implemented responsibly, inclusively and at scale. The ITU's AI for Good Lab will help turn proven ideas into national capabilities and measurable outcomes."
Seizo Onoe, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, said:
"Every country deserves the chance to shape its own AI future. Our AI for Good Lab reflects ITU's commitment to ensuring that the benefits of AI reach everyone, everywhere."
Through AI readiness assessments and policy guidance, the Lab will help governments identify national priorities. Its skills-development programmes will build inclusive local talent pipelines for policymakers, entrepreneurs, students and innovators, including through the AI for Good Innovation Factory, which has engaged over 200 startups from 88 countries.
The Lab will also support public AI infrastructure, giving countries access to open datasets, compute resources, reusable AI models and open-source tools for priority sectors such as health, agriculture, education and mobility.
The Lab builds on AI for Good Sandbox activities in ten pilot countries: Cameroon, India, Mozambique, Nepal, Peru, Tanzania, the UAE, Uzbekistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It also works with the African Telecommunications Union, national governments and ITU regional offices to establish local hubs and scale successful projects.
Notes to Editors
About AI for Good: The UN's leading platform on artificial intelligence, established in 2017 and organized by ITU with more than 50 UN agencies, spanning over 180 countries advancing responsible AI solutions, skills and standards.
Dr. Ebtesam Almazrouei is a globally recognized AI and advanced technology executive, Chairperson of the United Nations AI for Good Impact Initiative, and a member of Kazakhstan's Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence, chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. She developed foundation models such as Falcon 180B, ranked the world's most powerful open AI model at its 2023 release. Her career spans telecommunications, robotics, and AI, advancing national AI strategies and building the full AI value chain. She holds a PhD in Artificial Intelligence for Wireless Communication Engineering and Computer Science and serves as a Trustee of the American University of Sharjah.
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The ITU's AI for Good Lab launches to help developing economies scale responsible AI
Marking the brand's second destination in Portugal, the project introduces a new expression of the brand's resort lifestyle to the country's southern coast
NEW YORK, July 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nobu is pleased to announce plans for a new luxury destination at Monte Rei, the award-winning resort in Portugal's Eastern Algarve. The Nobu development will form the centrepiece of a broader investment programme led by Norfin, spanning hospitality, residential living, leisure amenities and future additions, including a beach club. With construction expected to begin in 2027, the Nobu Hotel is anticipated to welcome its first guests in 2029.
Set within more than 1,000 acres of unspoiled countryside in Portugal's Eastern Algarve and centred around its acclaimed Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the development will bring together Nobu's unmistakable approach to luxury hospitality, genre-defining cuisine, timeless design and intuitive service. As Nobu expands its presence into Portugal, this latest addition to the brand's growing European portfolio introduces a new expression of the Nobu lifestyle to the Eastern Algarve - one defined by year-round resort living and a close connection to the region's picturesque surroundings and coastline.
The Nobu Hotel will feature 100 rooms and suites, a signature Nobu restaurant and thoughtfully curated guest amenities. The development will also include 21,000 square meters of Nobu villas and branded residences, offering owners and guests alike the opportunity to enjoy the Nobu lifestyle within the privacy of Monte Rei's exceptional setting.
Over almost two decades, Monte Rei has established an international reputation through its award-winning golf, high standards of service, residential community and enviable location in one of Portugal's most characterful resort regions. The next phase of its development will build upon those foundations, creating a more complete year-round destination for residents, members and guests while preserving the privacy and authenticity that have long defined the resort.
An esteemed international design team has been appointed to shape the project, including DSA Architects and the Rockwell Group, the internationally renowned architecture and design studio and long-standing Nobu partner. Together, the team will develop a cohesive architectural and interior vision that brings Nobu's understated design philosophy into dialogue with Monte Rei's landscape and the character of the Eastern Algarve.
"Monte Rei offers a rare combination of natural beauty, privacy and an established reputation for exceptional golf and residential living," said Trevor Horwell, CEO of Nobu Hospitality. "Together with Norfin, we have the opportunity to create a distinctive Nobu destination that feels deeply connected to the Eastern Algarve while delivering the hospitality, dining, design and service for which the brand is known around the world."
"This is an important milestone for Monte Rei," said Miguel Mateus, CEO of Norfin. "The resort has long been recognised for the quality of its golf, service and residential environment. We are now building on that legacy with a broader ambition for the destination - one that brings together world-class hospitality, exceptional residential living and carefully designed leisure experiences.
Our partnership with Nobu is central to delivering that ambition. It introduces one of the world's most recognised luxury hospitality brands to the Eastern Algarve, with a Nobu Hotel, signature Nobu Restaurant and branded residences that will further strengthen Monte Rei's international appeal while complementing the wider investment across the resort."
www.nobuhotels.com/hotel-collection/algarve
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Nobu to Launch Hotel, Restaurant, Villas and Residences at Monte Rei in Portugal's Eastern Algarve
Nobu to Launch Hotel, Restaurant, Villas and Residences at Monte Rei in Portugal's Eastern Algarve
