In a recent report titled 'The race against time for smarter development', UNESCO looks at the transition to digital and green economies. Among other things, the study emphasises that the fourth industrial revolution is on the agenda for many countries irrespective of their level of income. It specifies that governments are increasingly adopting strategies to tackle digital questions including those pertaining to artificial intelligence (AI). The report also tackles the risks such as greater social inequalities as well as so-called 'anxiety about automation' resulting from the introduction of digital technologies in the economy. Moreover the document observes other challenges, in particular, in the context of the North-South dynamics citing underinvestment in research and development in Central Asia, lack of female professionals in the digital field and lower shares of researchers in developing regions.