The Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) submitted a detailed civil society response to the United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance, emphasizing that AI governance frameworks must center the realities of the unconnected, underserved, and underrepresented communities of the Global South.
At her Nano SheMaker digital centre, Girja’s work goes far beyond education; it has become a vital access point for citizen entitlements in her region. Every week, community members visit her centre seeking help with essential services that were once difficult to access due to distance, lack of awareness, or digital barriers. Girja assists them…
In the remote Himalayan town of Dharchula, where steep paths connect scattered homes and the river marks both a boundary and a lifeline, education had long been shaped by geography. Schools existed, but access, resources, and exposure, especially to the digital world, remained limited. A quiet shift began when a group of educators, community volunteers,…
ChakraView is an artistic exploration of how data extracted from human lives is processed, reshaped, and often distorted within algorithmic systems frequently without meaningful human oversight. Presented as part of the Museum of Digital Society (MoDS), the exhibition examines how deeply personal data—drawn from our behaviors, choices, and identities, is transformed into algorithmic outputs that…
“I never imagined that I could become a digital warrior for my community. Today, I am not only earning but also helping others access essential services. If I can do it, why not others?” With these powerful words, Soochnapreneur Business Mitra Rakhi Biswas reflects on a journey that has transformed not only her own life…
The Digital Empowerment Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, inaugurated Samriddhi Kendra in Umri Village, Guna District, Madhya Pradesh, in the presence of Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region. More than a ceremonial launch, the initiative represents a critical step…
This edition brings together a set of stories that sit at the intersection of policy, technology, and grassroots transformation, with a special focus on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its growing role in reshaping rural development outcomes. As India continues to build and scale DPI systems—spanning identity, payments, data exchange, and service delivery the conversation…
The Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) and its Just AI – Data & Algorithms for Communities initiative actively participated in the India AI Impact Summit 2026, advancing a strong people-centric and Global South perspective on AI governance, safety, and digital public infrastructure. Across multiple high-level engagements, DEF ensured that community voices, grassroots realities, and rights-based frameworks…
Access to essential government services can often be a challenge for rural communities, especially for those who lack digital literacy or resources. Bridging this gap, a recent Digital Yojana Camp organized in Solapur, Maharashtra, demonstrated how targeted grassroots efforts can transform lives. For many villagers, this initiative was more than just a camp, it was…
At the Indian Institute of Crafts & Design (IICD), Jaipur, a one-day seminar brought together artisans, practitioners, and experts to explore how technology can strengthen craft-based enterprises. Organised under the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and supported by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, the workshop created a space for dialogue between tradition and…