Sandboxes need a science and a community. We are bringing this together.

What is a sandbox?

What's next

Sandbox Summer School 2025

As part of the Global Sandbox Forum capacity building program, the Sandbox Summer School offers a unique opportunity for civil servants and policymakers to learn how to design, implement, and manage sandboxes in key emerging sectors. Over the course of the 5 days program, participants will engage with experts, share experiences, and develop practical knowledge that can be applied to their own contexts. It includes a hands-on lab to co-create a sandbox, putting theory into practice.

Sandboxes for Data

Discover how sandboxes can tackle complex digital policy challenges and enable cross-border data collaborations in the Datasphere Initiative’s foundational report, supported by the UK government, offering the world’s first roadmap for designing cross-border sandboxes for data.

Sandboxes for AI

Explore sandbox initiatives and the potential of sandboxes as tools for the regulation and development of AI and data-driven technologies.

Africa Sandboxes Outlook: Thinking outside the box for Responsible Innovation in the Age of AI

Explore the evolving sandbox landscape across Africa in the Datasphere Initiative’s Africa Sandboxes Outlook Report. Through unique case studies, see their impact in driving innovation and addressing regulatory challenges. Through stakeholder engagements, discover their potential for key policy areas such as AI, health, climate and sustainability.

Cross-Border Sandboxes for Data Course

Embark on an interactive learning journey with the dynamic modules of the “Guide to Cross-Border Sandboxes for Data” course.

Advancing Global AI Governance Report

The Datasphere Initiative and the ICC organized a official side event titled “Advancing Global AI Governance: Exploring Adaptive Frameworks and the Role of Sandboxes” during France’s AI Action Summit. This report summarizes the insights of the roundtable and panel discussions with numerous international experts.

GSF Inaugural Meeting Report

Take a look at the Insights Report of the Inaugural meeting of the Global Sandboxes Forum that happened in July 2024 in Rio de Janeiro to learnn more about the potential of the GSF.

Articles

Events

On April 3-4, 2025, the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT & Innovation, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, will host the inaugural Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali, under the theme: “AI and Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Reimagining Economic Opportunities for Africa’s Workforce.”

We invite you to a special side event during the Summit—the kick-off of our Co-creation Lab Series on Africa Sandboxes for AI, on April 2nd, where we will highlight insights from the two new publications from the Datasphere Initiative and engage stakeholders in shaping the building blocks of responsible AI sandboxes.

Register your interest before March 24 2025 and join us in Kigali for the kick-off event.

On 10 and 11 February 2025, France hosted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, gathering Heads of State and Government, leaders of international organizations, CEOs of small and large companies, representatives of academia, non-governmental organizations, artists and members of civil society.

On February 26-27, 2025, the Open Institute hosted the East Africa Data Governance Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together multistakeholders to shape the future of data governance in Africa. The event will offer an immersive experience with thought-provoking insights and practical solutions for the region’s evolving data landscape.