  We discuss recent developments towards next-to-leading order (NLO) accuracy
in the dipole picture. We review recent NLO results for exclusive vector meson
production and diffractive structure functions, and discuss how it is becoming
possible to describe both inclusive and exclusive DIS data simultaneously
within the Color Glass Condensate framework at NLO accuracy. These developments
will make it possible to probe the gluon saturation phenomena in detail
especially when nuclear-DIS data from the EIC become available.
