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Digital, Cyber and AI
Focusing our research and analysis to address challenges and opportunities in a rapidly advancing digital landscape.
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Focus on digital, cyber and AI
Find out more about our work on digital technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
We live in a world where technology has created a global community, connected in ways thought impossible a generation ago. But while new technologies can increase innovation and better deliver public services, how do we manage the risks that come with new opportunities, such as ethical considerations, privacy concerns, and the digital divide? How do we address growing cyber threats? How can we ensure we strike a balance between innovation and responsible governance? At the Blavatnik School we carry out cutting-edge research and insights, collaborate with governments and institutions across the world, and focus on equipping practitioners with the skills, knowledge and networks needed to thrive in the digital world.

FEATURED

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Programme

Oxford Programme for Cyber and Technology Policy

The Oxford Programme for Cyber and Technology Policy (OxCTP) aims to help governments navigate the cyber frontier and encourage the responsible adoption of emerging technologies

Digital, Cyber and AI
Ciaran Martin
Online

Cyber Security Fundamentals for Leadership

Aimed at public sector leaders, or those leading organisations that handle vast amounts of public data, this eight-week online course will teach you the basics of cyber security so you can better plan for and respond to potential threats.

Find out more
Digital, Cyber and AI

PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS

    • Map focused on Europe with data points visualisation
      Programme

      Oxford Programme for Cyber and Technology Policy

    • A computer chip with a glowing logo
      Project

      Turning the tide: Active cyber defence to counter ransomware

    • Pupils in a classroom
      Programme

      Digital Pathways at Oxford

    • Blavatnik building line graphic
      Programme

      Pathways for Prosperity

    LATEST NEWS

    SEE ALL LATEST NEWS
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    News
    10 February 2025

    New programme to help governments navigate cyber and emerging technologies

    With ransomware and AI-driven cyberattacks on the rise, the need for a safe and secure cyberspace has never been more important. To help governments navigate the cyber frontier and encourage the responsible of adoption of emerging technologies, the Blavatnik School is establishing the Oxford Programme for Cyber and Technology Policy.

    Digital, Cyber and AI
    Abstract image representing cybersecurity
    News
    23 January 2025

    Blavatnik School Receives Open Philanthropy Grant for Research on AI Security

    New research at the Blavatnik School of Government on how to protect advanced AI systems from malicious attacks has been supported by a grant from Open Philanthropy. 

    Digital, Cyber and AI
    Hands with devices overlaid with abstract technology image
    News
    11 October 2024

    New programme will look at digital public infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries

    As various aspects of life go online, digital public infrastructure, such as data exchange mechanisms and payment platforms, is essential for people to access services. A new programme will investigate its effects on inclusion and wellbeing. 

    Digital, Cyber and AI
    Development
    ...
    Inclusion
    Centre for the Study of African Economies
    Ethiopia

    VOICES BLOG

    SEE ALL VOICES
    Opinion and insight from around the school
    Azerbaijan
    Blog
    14 April 2025

    Balancing tech and human connection: How Azerbaijan is redefining public services

    Abdulhakeem Abdulkareem, Aig Imoukhuede Foundation Scholar and MPP alumnus, explores how Azerbaijan’s government is balancing technological development alongside maintaining a human connection with its citizens.

    Abdulhakeem Abdulkareem
    Abdulhakeem Abdulkareem
    Digital, Cyber and AI
    Azerbaijan
    Strings of numbers and letters in green against a black background
    Blog
    24 February 2025

    Government AI adoption: formal-relational contracting can unlock responsible progress

    Governments worldwide are quickly ramping up efforts to adopt artificial intelligence, but concerns about risk, bias, and accountability loom large. Felix-Anselm van Lier, Research and Policy Fellow at the Government Outcomes Lab and Co-Director of the Leading Cross-Sector Partnerships Programme, argues that a flexible, collaborative contracting model can unlock progress.

    Felix-Anselm van Lier
    Felix-Anselm van Lier
    Public sector
    Digital, Cyber and AI
    ...
    Government Outcomes Lab
    United Kingdom (UK)
    Cyberspace lock image
    Blog
    11 December 2024

    Building responsible AI stewardship in the public sector

    In her summer placement policy report, MPP alumni Laman Ahmadova offers a way forward for the responsible management of AI.

    Laman Ahmadova
    Laman Ahmadova
    Digital, Cyber and AI
    Public sector

    PUBLICATIONS

      • Publication
        27 September 2024

        Artificial intelligence and algorithm accountability

        This paper from the Lemann Foundation Programme at Oxford analyses AI's impact on government, highlighting algorithmic accountability, global examples, Brazil's governance strategy, and needed improvements.

        Pedro Cavalcante
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Lemann Foundation Programme at Oxford
        ...
        Brazil
      • Publication
        11 September 2024

        AI governance and the future of digital trade policy

        This Policy Brief highlights challenges with source code non-disclosure in trade agreements, which hinder AI regulation. It recommends revising or removing these provisions to balance business confidentiality with the need for effective oversight and accountability.

        Emily JonesPhilippa CollinsHenning Grosse Ruse-KhanAlbert Sanchez-GraellsKristina IrionCosmina DorobantuBurcu KilicDaria Onitiu
        Trade
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        ...
        United Kingdom (UK)
      • Artificial intelligence for transparent finance cover
        Publication
        14 June 2024

        Artificial Intelligence for transparent public finance: The promise of chatbots in Brazil

        This policy brief from the Lemann Foundation Programme aims to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to make fiscal reports more accessible and understandable to the public. 

        Eduardo Araujo
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Lemann Foundation Programme at Oxford
        ...
        Brazil
      • Silhouette of Concorde over British flag
        Publication
        29 November 2023

        When missions fail: lessons in 'high technology' from post-war Britain

        What can post-war Britain tell us about how the state should approach technology today? Post WW2, technological frontiers were seen as crucial for both prosperity and security – but big bets on Concorde and nuclear power generation failed. This cautionary tale of 'techno-nationalism' may have more lessons for industrial strategy today than the post-war example of the US moonshot.

        Thomas Kelsey
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        United Kingdom (UK)
      • Publication
        12 April 2023

        The Path Forward For The Brazilian National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) – Strengthening Capacity And Autonomy

        This policy brief explores the capacity and autonomy gaps in the recently created Brazilian National Data Protection Authority (ANPD), and suggests alternatives to address them.

        Beatriz KiraAnna Petherick
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Lemann Foundation Programme at Oxford
        ...
        Brazil
      • Publication
        01 April 2022

        Revisiting digital inclusion: A survey of theory, measurement and recent research (Working Paper)

        Focusing on the internet as a foundational technology, this paper begins by summarising recent developments in digital inclusion theory, particularly as this relates to developing countries. It sets out a framework of core components of digital inclusion - including access/use, quality of access/use, affordability, and digital skills - and briefly considers policy implications

        Matthew Sharp
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Development
        ...
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
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        Publication
        01 April 2022

        Five tests for risk-based approaches to national cybersecurity in resource-constrained environments

        Ciaran MartinNoran Shafik Fouad
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
      • Publication
        09 March 2022

        Diagnostics for industrialisation: Growth, sectoral selection, and constraints on firms

        This paper reviews methods that have been suggested by the development literature on diagnostics. We subdivide the variety of diagnostics into three types: revealing the most binding constraints to economy-wide growth; selecting sectors in which to diversify; and identifying sources of sectoral underperformance.

        Nicolas Lippolis
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
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        Publication
        23 November 2021

        End-to-end encryption: the (fruitless?) search for a compromise

        This new research publication by Ciaran Martin, Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations, focuses on the use of end-to-end encryption to fight terrorism, online child abuse and other digital harms.

        Ciaran Martin
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Health, education and public services
        ...
        United Kingdom (UK)
      • Publication
        16 July 2021

        Digitalisation, the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ and the Constitutional Law of Privacy in South Africa: towards a public law perspective on constitutional privacy in the era of digitalisation

        Schwab’s ‘digitalisation as progress’ story, examined in this paper, accurately presents digitalisation as a global process. But this global process has impacts within states and is perhaps primarily responded to at the national level.

        Firoz CachaliaJonathan Klaaren
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Law
        ...
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        South Africa
      • Publication
        16 July 2021

        A South African public law perspective on digitalisation in the health sector

        Firoz CachaliaJonathan Klaaren
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Health
        ...
        Law
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        South Africa
      • Publication
        26 April 2021

        Fostering inclusive economic growth: the case of the Digital Code of Benin

        Beatriz KiraTebello QhotsokoaneSimphiwe Laura Stewart
        Economy
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        ...
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Benin
      • Publication
        10 March 2021

        Fiscal regimes and digital transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa

        Benno NduluCornel JosephKarline Tryphone
        Economy
        Public sector
        ...
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Africa
      • Publication
        15 February 2021

        The UK and digital trade: which way forward?

        Anna SandsBeatriz KiraDanilo B Garrido AlvesEmily Jones
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Trade
        ...
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Global Economic Governance Programme
        Economic growth and equality
        Global governance
        United Kingdom (UK)
      • Publication
        28 January 2021

        Lessons from implementing the Digital Economy Kit: Moving from diagnosis to action

        Elizabeth StuartPranjali GuptaTebello QhotsokoaneToby Phillips
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Public sector
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Bangladesh
        Benin
        Ethiopia
        Malawi
        Mongolia
        South Africa
      • Publication
        06 January 2021

        Can virtual replace in-person coaching? Experimental evidence on teacher professional development and student learning

        Jacobus CilliersBrahm FleischJaneli KotzéNompumelelo MohohlwaneStephen TaylorTshegofatso Thulare
        Education
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        ...
        Research on Improving Systems of Education Programme (RISE)
        South Africa
      • Publication
        10 December 2020

        Humanistic digital governance

        Dennis SnowerPaul Twomey
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Social Macroeconomics
      • Publication
        01 December 2020

        COVID-19 and disruption of the digital economy: evidence from low and middle-income countries

        Karishma BangaDirk Willem te Velde
        COVID-19
        Economy
        ...
        Development
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
      • Publication
        01 December 2020

        Balancing privacy with technology use: lessons from COVID-19

        Harshita AgrawalPrakhar MisraAnanth Padmanabhan
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        COVID-19
        ...
        Law
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
      • Publication
        10 November 2020

        Governing data and digital platforms in middle-income countries: regulations, competition and industrial policies, with sectoral case studies from South Africa

        Antonio AndreoniSimon Roberts
        Economy
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        ...
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
      • Publication
        01 November 2020

        New thinking for institutional distress of mobile money firms

        Jonathan Greenacre
        Business and capitalism
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        ...
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Bangladesh
        Fiji
        India
        Indonesia
        Kenya
        Nigeria
        Pakistan
        Papua New Guinea
        Rwanda
        Samoa
        Tanzania
        Tonga
        Uganda
        Vanuatu
      • Publication
        30 September 2020

        Revisiting digital governance

        Dennis SnowerPaul TwomeyMaria Farrell
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Law
        ...
        Social Macroeconomics
      • Publication
        01 August 2020

        The necessary dialogue between big data and tax in Brazil's tax administration

        Anelize Lenzi Ruas de Almedia
        Integrity
        Public sector
        ...
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Building Integrity
        Brazil
      • Publication
        23 May 2020

        Digital technologies and copyright: international trends and implications for developing countries

        Mariana Valente
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
      • Publication
        21 May 2020

        Digital technology governance: developing countries' priorities and concerns

        Beatriz KiraToby PhillipsJonathan DolanPutu NatihAndrea Tartakowsky
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        ...
        Economic growth and equality
      • Publication
        13 May 2020

        Using digital technologies to re-imagine cash transfers during the COVID-19 crisis

        Tebello QhotsokoaneToby PhillipsNika Soon-Shiong
        COVID-19
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        ...
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
      • Publication
        16 April 2020

        Education during the COVID-19 crisis

        Raluca DavidToby PhillipsArnaldo PelliniKaty Jordan
        COVID-19
        Education
        ...
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Health, education and public services
      • Publication
        13 November 2019

        The Digital Roadmap: How developing countries can get ahead

        Stefan DerconToby Phillips
        Economy
        Inclusion
        ...
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Pathways for Prosperity
      • Publication
        04 October 2018

        Digital lives: creating meaningful connections for the next 3 billion

        Stefan DerconToby PhillipsBenno Ndulu
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Pathways for Prosperity
        Economic growth and equality
      • Publication
        04 October 2018

        Charting pathways for inclusive growth: from paralysis to preparation

        Stefan DerconToby PhillipsBenno Ndulu
        Economy
        Development
        ...
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Digital Pathways at Oxford
        Pathways for Prosperity
      • Publication
        01 July 2017

        M-Pesa, a success story of digital financial inclusion

        Njuguna Ndung’u
        Economy
        Inclusion
        ...
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Economic growth and equality
        Africa
        Kenya
      • Publication
        01 November 2014

        Killer robots - Regulate, don't ban

        Tom SimpsonVincent Müller
        Digital, Cyber and AI
        Global security
        ...
        Global governance

      RESEARCH UPDATES

      SEE ALL RESEARCH UPDATES
      Image: Pixabay
      Research update

      New journal article on connecting the dots between the Domain Name System and today’s cyber reality

      Roxana Radu’s new article in the Journal of Cyber Policy on the 2022 DNS4EU initiative by the European Commission.

      Digital, Cyber and AI
      Concorde
      Research update

      Tom Kelsey wins prize for work on Concorde and 'techno-nationalism'

      Tom Kelsey, ESRC Policy Fellow and Researcher, has won the Levinson Prize from the Society for the History of Technology for his article 'Fighting the supersonic deception: the critics of Concorde in post-war Britain'.

      Digital, Cyber and AI
      United Kingdom (UK)
      Palace of Westminster, home of the UK Parliament
      Research update

      Tsvetelina van Benthem cited in the House of Lords AI in Weapon Systems Committee Report

      ELAC postdoctoral researcher Tsvetelina van Benthem cited in the report of the House of Lords Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems Committee.

      Digital, Cyber and AI
      Global security
      Close-up shot of hands typing on laptop
      Research update

      Journal article on measuring digital inclusion

      Focusing on the internet as a foundational technology, this paper sets out a framework of core components of digital inclusion — including quality of access and use, affordability, and digital skills and surveys the ways these components are currently measured.

      Development
      Digital, Cyber and AI
      ...
      Digital Pathways at Oxford

      UPCOMING EVENTS

        • 21
          May
          21 May 2025, 17:00 - 18:30

          In conversation with Katrina Mulligan

          Join Katrina Mulligan, National Security Lead for OpenAI and former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, in conversation with Dr Brianna Rosen, Senior Research Associate and Co-Director of the Oxford Programme for Cyber and Tech Policy, as part of the Global Tech Policy Seminar Series.

        • Davis Koh headshot
          09
          May
          09 May 2025, 15:30 - 17:00

          Singapore’s cybersecurity playbook

          David Koh, Commissioner of Cybersecurity and the founding Chief Executive of Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency, joins Professor Ciaran Martin to discuss Singapore’s approach to fostering responsible state behaviour in the digital realm as part of the Global Tech Policy Seminar Series hosted by the Oxford Programme for Cyber and Technology Policy (OxCTP).

        PEOPLE

        See all people
        Stefan Dercon
        Professor of Economic Policy
        Aaron Maniam
        Fellow of Practice and Director, Digital Transformation Education
        Ciaran Martin
        Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations
        Roxana Radu
        Associate Professor of Digital Technologies and Public Policy
        Brianna Rosen
        Senior Research Associate
        Robert F Trager
        Senior Research Fellow
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