poci_wasiats 1) the new approach is providing information
2) the new approach is to provide information
They may mean the same thing. The difference would just be in the predicate.
1) The new approach is providing [the predicate is composed of the linking verb "to be" and the gerund "providing"] information.
2) The new approach is to provide [the predicate is composed of the linking verb "to be" and the infinitive "to provide"] information.
Here is another example of the same construction:
1) Her greatest pleasure is travelling. (It doesn't mean that we have a travelling pleasure
but that travelling is her pleasure.)
2) Her greatest pleasure is to travel. (To travel is her pleasure.)