Digital Watch Observatory - Digital Governance in 50+ issues, 500+ actors, 5+ processes
As the global race to harness AI accelerates, a new international effort is working to ensure that progress doesn't come at the cost of people or the planet.
Legal experts suggest that Russia’s proposed crypto law will clarify the seizure process but raise questions about protecting citizens’ rights.
Many business owners say Meta's support system is slow and unresponsive during social media account recovery.
'Operation Avalanche' disrupted a major Ethereum phishing scam, helping victims recover funds through US-Canada cooperation.
Following the freeze of USDT wallets, Russia is exploring the development of domestic stablecoins to reduce reliance on foreign-issued tokens.
Grok joins ChatGPT and Gemini in using memory to tailor replies, pushing xAI’s bot closer to top-tier AI competitors.
BitNet b1.58 2B4T beats several rival models on benchmarks and runs twice as fast on some tasks, requiring less memory and no GPU.
Mayor Mizrachi confirmed Panama City’s plan to facilitate cryptocurrency payments, using banks to convert assets into fiat currency.
Apple says privacy remains central as it fine-tunes AI using on-device comparisons.
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Analysis
Beyond the imitation game: GPT-4.5, the Turing Test, and what comes next
What happens when machines not only speak like us but begin to mirror the subtleties of our personalities, emotions, and intentions — and we can no longer tell the difference?
Analysis
Microsoft at 50 – A journey through code, cloud, and AI
Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975, Microsoft grew from a small startup into the world’s largest software company. Through strategic acquisitions, the company expanded into diverse sectors, solidifying its global dominance.
Analysis
Ghibli trend as proof of global dependence on AI: A phenomenon that overloaded social networks and systems
How Ghibli-inspired AI art went viral, exploring mainstream AI trends, creativity impact, and ethical concerns raised by Hayao Miyazaki.
Analysis
X’s Türkiye tangle, between freedom of speech, control, and digital defiance
Freedom of speech has taken centre stage this week, with Türkiye’s streets erupting in mass protests and Elon Musk’s platform X again under fire. With account suspensions, government requests, and a tech giant caught between free expression and compliance, all eyes are on how X navigates this storm.
Analysis
America’s Bitcoin gamble: A power play for financial dominance
The US is leading a Bitcoin charge—will the world follow, or is this just another high-stakes power move?
Analysis
The future of digital regulation between the EU and the US
The EU's bold Digital Markets and Services Acts set the stage for a transatlantic clash with the US over the regulation of tech giants. As Brussels pursues digital sovereignty, Washington defends innovation. Could these tensions reshape the global digital landscape?
Analysis
OEWG’s tenth substantive session: Entering the eleventh hour
The OEWG’s tenth session in February 2025 saw states emphasise collective action against cyber threats, address divisions on norms implementation and binding regulations, highlight the Voluntary Fund and Capacity-Building Portal, and discuss the future permanent mechanism for ICT security.
DW monthly
Digital Watch newsletter – Issue 98
Issue 98: In our monthly newsletter March in Retrospect, the Trump administration’s cyber ceasefire with Russia, the UN and the way forward for discussions on AI governance and the future of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Google made its largest acquisition to date by purchasing Wiz, the Israeli cloud cybersecurity firm, Ghibli-style AI-generated images overwhelmed OpenAI’s servers, sparking debates on AI copyright and system resilience.
DW WEEKLY
DW Weekly #207 – China disagrees with Trump over $54B TikTok deal due to tariffs rise
DW Weekly #207 China disagrees with Trump over $54B TikTok deal due to tariffs rise | Memecoin scandal hits Melania Trump’s crypto project | Meta's existence threatened by a colossal antitrust trial
DW at a glance
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The process towards a Global Digital Compact
How will the Global Digital Compact be developed and what will it focus on?
Explore the Observatory
Digital Technologies
From internet applications to quantum computing, we focus on advanced and emerging digital technologies which are increasingly reshaping our economies and societies.
Clusters of Policy topics
We unpack digital policy by exploring over 50 topics – from access and sustainable development to network security and the future of work – classified in 7 clusters.
Processes
Follow some of the most important digital policy processes, from the EU's work on the Digital Services Act/Digital Markets Act to the UN Cybercrime Ad Hoc Committee.