test marko

Session Transcript

concluded that while Geneva faces challenges, it retains significant advantages as a center for digital governance. However, maintaining this position will require strategic investment, improved collaboration among stakeholders, and adaptation to rapidly evolving technological landscapes.


Session at a Glance

Brief Summary Test Test

concluded that while Geneva faces challenges, it retains significant advantages as a center for digital governance. However, maintaining this position will require strategic investment, improved collaboration among stakeholders, and adaptation to rapidly evolving technological landscapes.


Major Keypoints

Major discussion points:


1. The changing landscape of digital governance and increased competition from other cities/regions to be hubs in this space.


2. The need for more collaboration and an panelists offering ideas for improvement and collaboration. There was an undercurrent of urgency throughout, emphasizing the need for swift action to address challenges.


Speakers

There were 6 main speakers in the discussion:


1. Moderator: Kasmira Jefford – Editor-in-chief of Geneva Solutions


2. Grégoire Barbey – Journalist for Le Temps


3. Dr. Jovan Kurbalija – Executive Journalism and media


– NGOs and civil society organizations in the digital space


Full session report

Brief Summary Test

concluded that while Geneva faces challenges, it retains significant advantages as a center for digital governance. However, maintaining this position will require strategic investment, improved collaboration among stakeholders, and adaptation to rapidly evolving technological landscapes.


Major Keypoints 23

Major discussion points:


1. The changing landscape of digital governance and increased competition from other cities/regions to be hubs in this space.


2. The need for more collaboration and an panelists offering ideas for improvement and collaboration. There was an undercurrent of urgency throughout, emphasizing the need for swift action to address challenges.


Speakerfdsfds

There were 6 main speakers in the discussion:


1. Moderator: Kasmira Jefford – Editor-in-chief of Geneva Solutions


2. Grégoire Barbey – Journalist for Le Temps


3. Dr. Jovan Kurbalija – Executive Journalism and media


– NGOs and civil society organizations in the digital space


G

Grégoire Barbey

Speech speed

Grégoire Barbey speed

Speech length

Grégoire Barbey speech length

Speech time

Grégoire Barbey speech duration

Ecosystem challenges – Lack of coordinated approach among various initiatives and actors

Explanation

Barbey noted that there are concerns among actors in Geneva about the capacity to remain an important place for digital governance discussions. There is a lack of generalized means within NGOs and fears about Switzerland’s ability to maintain its high-level state policy due to budgetary difficulties.


Evidence

Internet Society recently closed its Geneva office due to financial constraints, preferring to allocate funds to their mission rather than maintaining a physical presence.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 1: The current state of digital governance in Geneva


Agreed with

– Thomas Schneider
– Francesca Bosco
– Jovan Kurbalija

Agreed on

Need for better collaboration and coordination


Disagreed with

– Jovan Kurbalija
– Thomas Schneider

Disagreed on

Role of Geneva in digital governance


Resource constraints – Limited public funding and support for NGOs and initiatives

Explanation

Barbey highlighted that NGOs in Geneva are facing financial difficulties due to the geopolitical context. Donors are becoming rarer and more demanding, which impacts the ability of organizations to carry out their missions effectively.


Evidence

Potential election of Donald Trump could accelerate the process of reduced funding for NGOs.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 1: The current state of digital governance in Geneva


Agreed with

– Thomas Schneider
– Francesca Bosco

Agreed on

Resource constraints and funding challenges


J

Jovan Kurbalija

Speech speed

Jovan Kurbalija speed

Speech length

Jovan Kurbalija speech length

Speech time

Jovan Kurbalija speech duration

AI disruption – Profound changes to reporting, diplomacy, and organizational processes

Explanation

Kurbalija argued that AI is already having a significant impact on core activities in Geneva, such as reporting and diplomacy. He suggests that many traditional activities may become obsolete due to AI advancements.


Evidence

Diplo Foundation’s use of AI for just-in-time reporting from meetings.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 2: The impact of emerging technologies on digital governance


Need for adaptation – Existing systems and approaches becoming outdated

Explanation

Kurbalija emphasized that the entire system of international organizations and diplomacy needs to undergo significant rebooting to address the changes brought by AI. He argues that current approaches are becoming rapidly outdated.


Evidence

Comparison to New York City’s focus on horse-drawn carriage issues just before the advent of automobiles.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 2: The impact of emerging technologies on digital governance


Disagreed with

– Grégoire Barbey
– Thomas Schneider

Disagreed on

Role of Geneva in digital governance


Inclusion issues – Need for more involvement from Global South actors

Explanation

Kurbalija stressed the importance of involving NGOs, universities, and other actors from the Global South in Geneva’s digital governance ecosystem. He argued that this is crucial for Geneva to remain relevant as a global hub for digital and internet governance.


Evidence

Lack of day-to-day involvement from Indonesian, Indian, South African, and Brazilian NGOs in Geneva’s decision-shaping processes.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 1: The current state of digital governance in Geneva


Agreed with

– Grégoire Barbey
– Thomas Schneider
– Francesca Bosco

Agreed on

Need for better collaboration and coordination


T

Thomas Schneider

Speech speed

Thomas Schneider speed

Speech length

Thomas Schneider speech length

Speech time

Thomas Schneider speech duration

Global competition – Other cities/regions vying to become digital governance hubs

Explanation

Schneider pointed out that the digital governance landscape has become much more complex and diversified over the last 20 years. He noted that other cities and regions are now competing to become global leaders in digital policy, often with more resources than Switzerland.


Evidence

Mentions of cities in Europe, New York, and Gulf states as emerging competitors in the digital governance space.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 1: The current state of digital governance in Geneva


Agreed with

– Grégoire Barbey
– Francesca Bosco

Agreed on

Resource constraints and funding challenges


Disagreed with

– Grégoire Barbey
– Jovan Kurbalija

Disagreed on

Role of Geneva in digital governance


Ecosystem approach – Fostering more collaboration and cross-referencing among Geneva-based entities

Explanation

Schneider agreed with the need for better cooperation and cross-referencing among Geneva-based institutions. He emphasized the importance of working together and using synergies, especially given limited resources.


Evidence

Example of the ITU-led AI for Good Summit, which partners closely with over 40 UN institutions.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 3: Strengthening Geneva’s role in digital governance


Agreed with

– Grégoire Barbey
– Francesca Bosco
– Jovan Kurbalija

Agreed on

Need for better collaboration and coordination


Shift to New York – Increasing focus on digital issues in UN headquarters and processes

Explanation

Schneider acknowledged that digital issues are increasingly being discussed in New York due to their growing importance in geopolitical and security matters. However, he argued that this doesn’t necessarily mean New York will replace Geneva in terms of actually implementing digital governance initiatives.


Evidence

Mention of the UN Secretary General’s ambitions and the upcoming Pact for the Future with its digital focus.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 4: The evolving landscape of global digital governance


F

Francesca Bosco

Speech speed

Francesca Bosco speed

Speech length

Francesca Bosco speech length

Speech time

Francesca Bosco speech duration

Public-private partnerships – Leveraging private sector resources and expertise

Explanation

Bosco highlighted the importance of finding creative ways to engage with the private sector to support digital governance initiatives. She emphasized the need for responsible investment and collaboration between public and private entities.


Evidence

Example of the Cyber Peace Builders program, which leverages private sector cybersecurity expertise to support non-profit organizations.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 3: Strengthening Geneva’s role in digital governance


Agreed with

– Grégoire Barbey
– Thomas Schneider

Agreed on

Resource constraints and funding challenges


Strategic focus – Identifying key areas where Geneva can add unique value

Explanation

Bosco suggested that Geneva needs to focus on areas where it can provide unique value in the digital governance space. She emphasized the importance of co-designing solutions with civil society organizations rather than just consulting them.


Evidence

Mention of Geneva’s tradition in human rights and international peace as a potential foundation for its role in digital governance.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 3: Strengthening Geneva’s role in digital governance


Agreed with

– Grégoire Barbey
– Thomas Schneider
– Jovan Kurbalija

Agreed on

Need for better collaboration and coordination


U

Unknown speaker

Speech speed

Unknown speaker speed

Speech length

Unknown speaker speech length

Speech time

Unknown speaker speech duration

Communication efforts – Better explaining the value of International Geneva to Swiss public and policymakers

Explanation

The importance of better communicating the value of International Geneva to Swiss politicians, media, and the public was emphasized. This was seen as crucial for securing necessary resources and support for Geneva’s role in digital governance.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 3: Strengthening Geneva’s role in digital governance


Geopolitical factors – Digital governance becoming more intertwined with security and power dynamics

Explanation

The discussion highlighted that digital governance is increasingly tied to geopolitical and security issues. This shift is influencing where and how digital governance discussions take place on the global stage.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 4: The evolving landscape of global digital governance


Multi-stakeholder approach – Balancing roles of governments, private sector, civil society in governance

Explanation

The importance of maintaining a multi-stakeholder approach in digital governance was discussed. This involves balancing the roles and inputs of governments, the private sector, and civil society in shaping digital governance frameworks.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 4: The evolving landscape of global digital governance


Ethical concerns – Questions about impartiality and control of AI systems used by international organizations

Explanation

Concerns were raised about the ethical implications of international organizations relying on AI systems developed by private companies or specific countries. This could potentially compromise the impartiality and independence of these organizations.


Major Discussion Point

Major Discussion Point 2: The impact of emerging technologies on digital governance


Agreements

Agreement Points

Resource constraints and funding challenges

speakers

– Grégoire Barbey
– Thomas Schneider
– Francesca Bosco

arguments

Resource constraints – Limited public funding and support for NGOs and initiatives


Global competition – Other cities/regions vying to become digital governance hubs


Public-private partnerships – Leveraging private sector resources and expertise


summary

The speakers agreed that there are significant resource constraints and funding challenges for digital governance initiatives in Geneva, with a need to explore alternative funding sources and partnerships.


Need for better collaboration and coordination

speakers

– Grégoire Barbey
– Thomas Schneider
– Francesca Bosco
– Jovan Kurbalija

arguments

Ecosystem challenges – Lack of coordinated approach among various initiatives and actors


Ecosystem approach – Fostering more collaboration and cross-referencing among Geneva-based entities


Strategic focus – Identifying key areas where Geneva can add unique value


Inclusion issues – Need for more involvement from Global South actors


summary

The speakers concurred on the importance of improving collaboration and coordination among various actors in Geneva’s digital governance ecosystem, including better involvement of Global South participants.


Similar Viewpoints

Both speakers emphasized the significant changes brought about by emerging technologies, particularly AI, and the need for existing systems and approaches to adapt to these changes. They also acknowledged the increasing importance of digital issues in global governance discussions, including in New York.

speakers

– Jovan Kurbalija
– Thomas Schneider

arguments

AI disruption – Profound changes to reporting, diplomacy, and organizational processes


Need for adaptation – Existing systems and approaches becoming outdated


Shift to New York – Increasing focus on digital issues in UN headquarters and processes


Unexpected Consensus

Importance of local dimension in digital era

speakers

– Francesca Bosco
– Thomas Schneider

arguments

Strategic focus – Identifying key areas where Geneva can add unique value


Ecosystem approach – Fostering more collaboration and cross-referencing among Geneva-based entities


explanation

Despite the global nature of digital governance, both speakers unexpectedly emphasized the continued importance of the local dimension, particularly Geneva’s unique ecosystem and potential for fostering collaboration. This consensus highlights the ongoing relevance of physical hubs in digital governance discussions.


Overall Assessment

summary

The main areas of agreement included the need for better resource allocation, improved collaboration among actors, adaptation to technological changes, and leveraging Geneva’s unique position in the digital governance landscape.


consensus_level

Moderate consensus with some diverging views on specific approaches. This implies a general agreement on the challenges facing Geneva’s role in digital governance, but varying perspectives on how to address these challenges effectively.


Disagreements

Disagreement Points

Role of Geneva in digital governance

speakers

– Grégoire Barbey
– Jovan Kurbalija
– Thomas Schneider

arguments

Ecosystem challenges – Lack of coordinated approach among various initiatives and actors


Need for adaptation – Existing systems and approaches becoming outdated


Global competition – Other cities/regions vying to become digital governance hubs


summary

While all speakers acknowledged challenges facing Geneva’s role in digital governance, they differed in their emphasis. Barbey focused on ecosystem challenges and lack of coordination, Kurbalija stressed the need for fundamental adaptation due to AI, and Schneider highlighted global competition from other cities and regions.


Unexpected Disagreements

Impact of AI on UN systems

speakers

– Jovan Kurbalija
– Thomas Schneider

arguments

AI disruption – Profound changes to reporting, diplomacy, and organizational processes


Shift to New York – Increasing focus on digital issues in UN headquarters and processes


explanation

While both speakers discussed changes in the UN system, Kurbalija unexpectedly emphasized the profound impact of AI on core UN activities, while Schneider focused more on the geographical shift of discussions to New York. This difference in focus on technological vs. geographical changes was an unexpected point of divergence.


Overall Assessment

summary

The main areas of disagreement centered around the nature and extent of challenges facing Geneva’s role in digital governance, the best approaches to strengthen this role, and the impact of emerging technologies on existing governance structures.


disagreement_level

The level of disagreement among speakers was moderate. While there was general consensus on the importance of maintaining Geneva’s relevance in digital governance, speakers differed significantly in their assessment of key challenges and proposed solutions. These disagreements reflect the complexity of the issue and suggest that a unified approach to strengthening Geneva’s position may be difficult to achieve without further dialogue and compromise among stakeholders.


Partial Agreements

Partial Agreements

All speakers agreed on the need to strengthen Geneva’s role in digital governance, but proposed different approaches. Kurbalija emphasized involving Global South actors, Schneider focused on fostering collaboration among existing entities, and Bosco suggested identifying strategic areas where Geneva can add unique value.

speakers

– Jovan Kurbalija
– Thomas Schneider
– Francesca Bosco

arguments

Inclusion issues – Need for more involvement from Global South actors


Ecosystem approach – Fostering more collaboration and cross-referencing among Geneva-based entities


Strategic focus – Identifying key areas where Geneva can add unique value


Similar Viewpoints

Both speakers emphasized the significant changes brought about by emerging technologies, particularly AI, and the need for existing systems and approaches to adapt to these changes. They also acknowledged the increasing importance of digital issues in global governance discussions, including in New York.

speakers

– Jovan Kurbalija
– Thomas Schneider

arguments

AI disruption – Profound changes to reporting, diplomacy, and organizational processes


Need for adaptation – Existing systems and approaches becoming outdated


Shift to New York – Increasing focus on digital issues in UN headquarters and processes


Takeaways

Key Takeaways

Geneva faces challenges in maintaining its status as a leader in digital governance due to resource constraints, increased global competition, and a rapidly evolving technological landscape.


There is a need for a more coordinated ecosystem approach among Geneva-based organizations working on digital governance issues.


Emerging technologies like AI are profoundly disrupting traditional processes and systems in international organizations and governance.


Inclusion of actors from the Global South is crucial for Geneva to remain relevant as a global hub for digital governance.


Switzerland and Geneva need to better communicate the value of International Geneva to Swiss public and policymakers to secure support and resources.


Resolutions and Action Items

Develop more public-private partnerships to leverage private sector resources and expertise in digital governance initiatives


Increase cross-referencing and collaboration among Geneva-based organizations working on digital issues


Focus on strategic areas where Geneva can add unique value in the digital governance landscape


Organize the Global Cyber Capacity Building Conference in Geneva in 2025, led by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs


Unresolved Issues

How to secure adequate funding and support for NGOs and civil society organizations working on digital governance in Geneva


How to effectively include more actors from the Global South in Geneva-based digital governance processes


The potential shift of some digital governance discussions from Geneva to New York and its implications


How to develop and implement an open-source, transparent AI system for use by the UN and other international organizations


Suggested Compromises

Balance the focus between maintaining Geneva’s physical ecosystem and expanding its digital presence and reach


Combine efforts to strengthen both Switzerland’s role in digital governance and International Geneva’s position as a hub


Explore innovative funding models that blend public and private resources to support digital governance initiatives


Thought Provoking Comments

Changes, it’s not only in future, future is today. By the way, Diplo will report from this meeting with just-in-time reporting by using AI. And if you think about this city, what this city is doing, diplomats, journalists, NGOs, they’re reporting, reporting back to capitals, to their superiors, reporting to UN bodies, reporting from events. That activity is basically, to the large extent, gone.

speaker

Jovan Kurbalija


reason

This comment highlights the immediate and transformative impact of AI on traditional diplomatic and journalistic practices, challenging the notion that these changes are still in the future.


impact

It shifted the discussion from theoretical future scenarios to the urgent need for adaptation in the present, prompting others to consider the immediate implications of AI in their fields.


What I think it’s missing is not necessarily the resources, it’s a sort of like meaningful use of the resources and a long-term view for investing those resources.

speaker

Francesca Bosco


reason

This insight reframes the issue from a lack of resources to the need for better coordination and strategic planning in the use of existing resources.


impact

It redirected the conversation from simply calling for more funding to discussing how to optimize the use of current resources and create sustainable, long-term strategies.


We scrolled all websites in International Geneva and found 120 million links. Any link on the website, Diplo website, Cyber Peace Institute, UNOG, WHO, WIPO. 122 million links. Then we did analysis and say how many of these links point to other Geneva institutions. Therefore, how many of our links, we are relatively good, point to Cyber Peace Institute, to WHO, to WIPO, in our reports, in our blog posts, in our event reports. And we got a shocking result. We call it X-ray of the International Geneva. The level of links, and we will share it, you can access through the website, is 0, 0, not 1%, 0.48%.

speaker

Jovan Kurbalija


reason

This comment provides concrete data to illustrate the lack of collaboration between Geneva-based institutions, challenging the rhetoric of cooperation with hard evidence.


impact

It prompted a more critical examination of the actual level of collaboration in International Geneva and highlighted the need for tangible actions to improve cross-referencing and cooperation.


Let’s develop open source, transparent AI at the UN, by using analogy to what countries are doing now, contributing sculptures, paintings, buildings, conference rooms. Now, they can start contributing large language models, RAC systems, I won’t go into terminology, knowledge graph for humanitarian issues, all of these issues, all of these issues technically in this proposal are feasible, and we can show how they can work.

speaker

Jovan Kurbalija


reason

This proposal offers a novel and concrete solution to maintain the UN’s impartiality in the age of AI, addressing a critical issue that had not been previously discussed.


impact

It introduced a new dimension to the discussion about the future of international organizations and their use of technology, highlighting the potential risks of relying on corporate AI systems and the need for independent, open-source solutions.


Overall Assessment

These key comments significantly shaped the discussion by shifting the focus from general concerns about resources and competition to specific, actionable ideas for improving digital governance in Geneva. They highlighted the immediate impact of AI on traditional practices, the need for better resource utilization, the lack of real collaboration despite rhetoric, and the importance of developing independent AI solutions for international organizations. These insights deepened the conversation, moving it from theoretical discussions to practical considerations and potential solutions, while also challenging participants to think more critically about the current state of affairs in International Geneva.


Follow-up Questions

How can Geneva better involve NGOs and voices from the Global South in digital governance discussions?

speaker

Jovan Kurbalija


explanation

This is crucial for Geneva to remain relevant as a global hub for digital and internet governance, addressing a significant gap in representation.


How can Switzerland and Geneva create a more sustainable ecosystem approach to digital governance?

speaker

Francesca Bosco


explanation

A coordinated, long-term approach is needed to make better use of resources and scale initiatives effectively.


How can digital governance topics be made more interesting and relevant to the general public?

speaker

Francesca Bosco


explanation

Increasing public engagement is necessary to generate support and understanding for digital governance issues.


How can Geneva and Switzerland better leverage cross-referencing and cooperation between institutions?

speaker

Jovan Kurbalija


explanation

Improving collaboration and referencing between Geneva-based institutions could significantly enhance the ecosystem’s effectiveness.


What impact will AI have on traditional roles and processes in diplomacy, journalism, and international organizations?

speaker

Jovan Kurbalija


explanation

Understanding these impacts is crucial for adapting and remaining relevant in the rapidly changing digital landscape.


How can Switzerland and Geneva attract more innovative funding models, including from the private sector?

speaker

Thomas Schneider


explanation

Exploring new funding sources is necessary to address resource limitations in the public sector.


How will the increasing importance of digital issues in New York-based UN discussions affect Geneva’s role?

speaker

Audience member (Fabrizio)


explanation

Understanding this shift is important for maintaining Geneva’s relevance in digital governance discussions.


Could the UN develop its own digital platform for negotiations and consultations?

speaker

Audience member (Jérôme Bellion-Jordan)


explanation

This could enhance the UN’s digital capabilities and reduce reliance on private providers.


How can the UN develop its own open-source, transparent AI system?

speaker

Jovan Kurbalija


explanation

This is crucial for maintaining the UN’s impartiality and inclusivity in the age of AI.


Disclaimer: This is not an official session record. DiploAI generates these resources from audiovisual recordings, and they are presented as-is, including potential errors. Due to logistical challenges, such as discrepancies in audio/video or transcripts, names may be misspelled. We strive for accuracy to the best of our ability.

Telegram Bot Test Test

 Text, Computer Hardware, Electronics, Hardware
Telegram Bot Test Test 2

Nobitex restores wallet access after major hack

Users must avoid deposits to old wallet addresses to prevent permanent fund loss after Nobitex’s sys…

Youth unrest set to drive Bitcoin’s rise

Growing frustration among young people with capitalism is expected to drive Bitcoin adoption and inc…

Text-to-image and beyond: Alibaba launches Qwen VLo AI model

Qwen VLo improves upon earlier versions by addressing semantic inconsistencies in object recognition…

Kazakhstan to create crypto reserve backed by mining and seized funds

National Bank officials say the crypto reserve will prioritise transparency, institutional soundness…

Europol backs Spain in dismantling crypto crime ring

The criminal gang allegedly laundered €460 million through a network of fake companies and digital w…

Grok gets a boost: xAI secures $10 billion for AI expansion

Morgan Stanley-backed deal signals strong investor faith in xAI's long-term mission.

AI rock band’s Spotify rise fuels calls for transparency

Spotify's silence on AI song labelling frustrates listeners and artists alike.

Apple may use ChatGPT or Claude to power Siri

LLM Siri — Apple's new project — continues, but delays have prompted discussions with OpenAI and Ant…

Meta’s Facebook uses phone photos for AI if users allow it

The new feature is part of Meta’s strategy to improve AI after criticism of its Llama 4 model.

Africa risks being left behind in global AI development

Oxford researchers reveal only 32 countries have the infrastructure to build advanced AI, leaving mo…

OpenInfra Summit Europe brings focus on AI and VMware alternatives

More than 38% of the OpenInfra community is based in Europe, where data control and cost-effective A…

Ransomware attack hits Swiss government data

Sarcoma hackers leaked 1.3TB of sensitive files after breaching Swiss contractor Radix.

OpenAI leadership battles talent exodus

Meta pursues top AI talent with $100 million signing bonuses amid fierce competition.

China unveils server chips to rival Intel models

Beijing narrows tech gap with cpu and quantum launches.

Lung cancer caught early thanks to AI

AI detected lung cancer missed by doctors, helping save a woman’s life with early treatment.

South Korea pauses central bank digital currency project

Concerns over costs and unclear commercial plans prompted the Bank of Korea to reconsider its CBDC p…

Balancing security and usability in digital authentication

Strong authentication must balance security with ease of use to avoid losing customer trust and busi…

Taiwan leads in AI defence of democracy

A new global alliance on AI and elections draws on Taiwan’s proven digital resilience.

Ahold Delhaize breach hits 2 million with data theft

Victims offered free identity monitoring after ransomware breach.

Meta expands AI ambitions with more OpenAI hires

Meta has hired more OpenAI researchers, strengthening its superintelligence team as competition in a…

ChatGPT emerges as a search alternative, but Google holds ground

Experts suggest ChatGPT offers exploration and synthesis, while Google remains essential for direct,…

Ransomware victims still paying, Sophos finds

Sophos says 49% of ransomware victims paid in 2025, but average ransom payments and backup use have …

Denmark proposes landmark law to protect citizens from deepfake misuse

Platforms could face fines for failing to remove illegal deepfake content under proposed Danish law.

AI training with pirated books triggers massive legal risk

Anthropic downloaded over five million pirated books to train its AI model Claude, breaching copyrig…

New NHS plan adds AI to protect patient safety

The new AI tool will analyse NHS data in real time to catch safety issues and trigger faster inspect…

Nvidia insiders sell over $1bn in shares amid AI market boom

Analysts predict Nvidia will benefit from a ‘Golden Wave’ of AI, helping the firm reclaim its title …

Sam Altman reverses his stance on AI hardware as current computers can’t meet the demands

OpenAI is collaborating with Jony Ive to develop a screen-free AI device, aiming to replace traditio…

EU investors can now buy tokenised MSTR stock on Gemini

Experts see tokenised equities as a potentially huge market in the future.

Bitcoin takes centre stage as America’s new dream

Bitcoin ownership is emerging as a new symbol of financial success in America, says former Binance C…

Crypto adoption grows among Koreans aged 20 to 50 with Bitcoin leading the way

Economic pressure is pushing younger Koreans into crypto, with youth unemployment more than twice th…

Stablecoins surpass Visa and Mastercard in online transaction volume

Major platforms like PayPal and Stripe are adopting stablecoins to offer faster, cheaper, and more e…

AI governance through the lens of magical realism

What if the key to understanding AI’s most pressing dilemmas lies not in science or policy, but in t…

Cybercrime surge hits airlines across North America

Cyber experts warn that more airline and aviation-related victims may soon come forward following re…

SoftBank shifts focus to AI and next-generation chips

These SoftBank investments include OpenAI, Graphcore, Ampere Computing, and a chip hub in Arizona.

Hacktivist attacks surge in Iran–Israel tensions

Experts say geopolitical hacktivism now poses serious risks to national infrastructure, calling for …

Google Doppl, the new AI app, turns outfit photos into try-on videos

Doppl could potentially face challenges as users could misuse images of others, despite Google’s imp…

Closer to real-world impact for quantum computing

The road to real-world applications for quantum computing narrows.

TRON leads global stablecoin network

Over 1 million wallets transact USDT daily on TRON, accounting for 28% of active stablecoin addresse…

UK bank limits crypto transactions amid consumer risks

Concerns over consumer risks have led Barclays to block cryptocurrency transactions on its cards sta…

India urged to adopt clear Bitcoin strategy

Calls grow for a Bitcoin reserve pilot amid unclear crypto regulations and rising global digital ass…

AI crypto apps see explosive user growth in 2025

AI-powered apps on the blockchain have seen a sharp rise in 2025, with millions of users engaging da…

TON introduces easy staking with just 10 tokens

Telegram’s native blockchain adds an easy-to-use staking feature for exchanges and custodians.

Dutch government to build AI plant with €70 million pledge

The Groningen-based AI plant will be operational by 2027 if funding and construction proceed as plan…

Gartner warns that more than 40 percent of agentic AI projects could be cancelled by 2027

Many agentic AI projects are early experiments driven by hype, with few delivering a real business i…

Path forward for global digital cooperation debated at IGF 2025

Digital cooperation is entering a pivotal moment where decisions made today could reshape how the in…

Digital rights under threat: Global majority communities call for inclusive solutions at IGF 2025

As digital technologies rapidly transform societies, voices from the Global majority are demanding a…

Efforts to address internet fragmentation take centre stage at IGF 2025 in Norway

As governments tighten digital borders and funding for open internet tools dwindles, a diverse group…

How can technical standards bridge or broaden the digital divide?

Behind the scenes of our everyday digital experiences lies a world of technical standards that enabl…

YouTube adds AI search results for travel, shopping and more

The feature is bringing Google-style AI Overviews to YouTube, starting with Premium users in the US.

DeepSeek struggles to launch R2 amid NVIDIA chip shortage

Cloud providers warn DeepSeek’s R2 may struggle to scale within China due to limited NVIDIA chip sup…

Meta hires top OpenAI researcher for AI superintelligence push

Trapit Bansal, co-creator of OpenAI’s o1 reasoning model, now joins Meta alongside other top AI expe…

Cyber Command and Coast Guard establish task force for port cyber defence

U.S. Cyber Command and the Coast Guard established a joint task force during a major exercise to sim…

Hawaiian Airlines confirms flights are safe despite cyberattack

The airline is working with cybersecurity experts to investigate the breach, with FAA officials moni…

Trump-backed crypto project receives $100 million investment

Lawmakers are concerned about Trump's financial ties to a controversial crypto project.

Le Chat leads AI privacy ranking report

On the other hand, Meta AI is flagged for weakest data privacy and sharing policies.

BT report shows rise in cyber attacks on UK small firms

Phishing hit 85% of UK businesses, with ransomware incidents doubling.

NHS patient death linked to cyber attack delays

The Synnovis cyber attack disrupted thousands of NHS treatments and operations in London.

IGF 2025: Africa charts a sovereign path for AI governance

Over 1,000 African startups rely on foreign AI models, raising concerns over digital dependency.

EU may ease restrictions on foreign stablecoins

Proposed guidance would treat non-EU stablecoins as equivalent to those registered within the bloc.

Irish businesses face cybersecurity reality check

Gallagher warns firms not to overestimate their cyber resilience.

Metaplanet becomes fifth largest corporate Bitcoin holder

The company ranks just behind major crypto firms like MARA and Riot in Bitcoin ownership.

Major South Korean banks plan won-based stablecoin

The joint project, set for launch by 2026, could support payments, remittances, and Web3 finance.

Internet Governance Forum marks 20 years of reshaping global digital policy

IGF described as essential bridge between global policy and local action.

Bridging the digital divide through language inclusion

Experts call for paradigm shift in internet design philosophy.

Children safety online in 2025: Global leaders demand stronger rules

IGF panel warns that regulation without enforcement won't protect children from digital exploitation…

IGF leadership panel explores future of digital governance

Leaders stress IGF’s future hinges on policy relevance and sustainable funding.

IGF and WSIS platforms must be strengthened, not replaced, say leaders

ITU was praised for its coordinating role in WSIS outcomes.

Tower of Babel reimagined: IGF 2025 experiment highlights language barriers in internet governance

What happens when global internet policy experts suddenly abandon English and try to govern in dozen…

EU urged to pause AI act rollout

The AI act’s missing frameworks could stall general-purpose AI development across Europe.

Infosys chairman warns of global risks from tariffs and AI

Speaking at Infosys’ AGM, Nilekani said companies must navigate a ‘perfect storm’ of AI disruption, …

Google releases free Gemini CLI tool for developers

Gemini CLI gives developers free access to Google’s Gemini AI models for coding, research, content c…

Meta wins copyright case over AI training

A US judge ruled Meta’s use of copyrighted books to train AI qualifies as fair use, handing a legal …

WhatsApp launches AI feature to sum up all the unread messages

With Message Summaries, WhatsApp users can scan unread messages without compromising chat privacy.

Nvidia becomes world’s most valuable company after stock surge

Strong earnings and aggressive AI spending by tech giants helped Nvidia climb to the top of global s…

Fake video claims Nigeria is sending troops to Israel

Nigeria has denied any plans to deploy troops to Israel, calling out a viral video for spreading fak…

WSIS prepares for Geneva as momentum builds for impactful digital governance

At IGF 2025 in Norway, stakeholders mapped priorities ahead of the WSIS+20 high-level event in Genev…

AI sandboxes pave path for responsible innovation in developing countries

AI sandboxes are emerging as powerful tools to test cutting-edge technologies and reshape how trust,…

UNESCO and ICANN lead push for multilingual and inclusive internet governance

The digital world is being reimagined to ensure that even the most overlooked languages and communit…

Cybercrime in Africa: Turning research into justice and action

As cyber threats grow more complex and personal across Africa, a new push for justice is calling gov…

Anthropic AI training upheld as fair use; pirated book storage heads to trial

Judge rules Anthropic used books fairly for training, but not for building a central storage library…

AI drives fall in graduate jobs

Concerns grow as AI alters the entry-level job landscape.

Verizon and Nokia secure UK contract

Private 5G networks will provide faster, dedicated connectivity for industrial use.

Taiwan leads in AI election defence efforts

Global democracies seek to adopt Taiwan’s AI defence strategies.

Bosch calls for balanced AI rules in Europe

Stefan Hartung says Europe risks falling behind in AI development.

Microsoft family safety blocks Google Chrome on Windows 11

Google provides workaround as Chrome fails to reopen under family safety settings.

Top 7 AI agents transforming business in 2025

Businesses are embracing AI agents like Claude, Amelia, and North to automate tasks, save time, and …

AGI moves closer to reshaping society

Unlike today’s AI, AGI aims to reason, create and adapt across tasks — potentially transforming ever…

New ranking shows which AI respects your data

Le Chat ranked top in the new privacy study, while Meta AI came last due to poor data practices and …

Japan plans crypto reclassification and ETF access

New FSA proposal could attract retail and institutional crypto investors by reducing capital gains t…

Turkey tightens grip on digital assets

Stablecoin transfers in Turkey now face daily and monthly limits under new rules.

South Korea plans slow rollout of stablecoins

Bank of Korea officials say stablecoins could disrupt markets and impact foreign exchange policy.

Kurbalija’s book on internet governance turns 20 with new life at IGF

Amid rapid digital change and rising AI hype, a familiar voice returns to challenge the buzzwords an…

AI and the future of work: Global forum highlights risks, promise, and urgent choices

As AI continues to reshape industries and redefine the workplace, world leaders and innovators face …

AI governance debated at IGF 2025: Global cooperation meets local needs

AI governance must be inclusive, context-aware, and rooted in human rights, IGF 2025 panellists agre…

IGF panel urges rethinking internet governance amid rising geopolitical tensions

Can imagining the internet of 2040 help us fix the broken governance models of today?

Advancing digital identity in Africa while safeguarding sovereignty

Experts at IGF stress balance between identity and sovereignty.

Gemini Robotics On-Device: Google’s AI model for offline robotic tasks

Gemini Robotics On-Device brings advanced dexterity and natural language understanding to offline ro…

Bitcoin holds strong above $100,000

Technical signals on Bitcoin and Ethereum point to cautious optimism with key resistance levels ahea…

SpaceX rocket carries first quantum satellite into space

Orbiting at 550 kilometres, the new quantum computer will deliver rapid results using edge computing…

North Korea-linked hackers deploy fake Zoom malware to steal crypto

Cybersecurity firm Huntress linked a crypto-focused deepfake Zoom attack to North Korea’s BlueNoroff…

Germany Plans to Ban Huawei and ZTE from 5G Network | Digital Watch

Moscow, Russia 30 August 2019 Huawei telecom company logo on office building  against clear blue sky

Germany is planning to ban Huawei and ZTE from its 5G network due to national security concerns. However, this move could interfere with the rollout of 5G services in China.

The Chinese embassy expressed strong dissatisfaction towards Germany’s reported plans to ban Huawei and ZTE from the country’s 5G network.

The German government is accused of generalizing the concept of national security and abusing state power, in violation of economic laws and fair competition principles.

Western security officials claimed that Huawei and ZTE represent potential threats to national security due to their close ties with Beijing.

Germany passed legislation in 2021 to increase security standards for its 5G networks without implementing an outright ban on Chinese firms.

Huawei currently supplies nearly 60% of base stations and 5G services infrastructure in Germany.

China claims that the ban would interfere with the rollout of 5G services in the country, urging Germany to listen to rational voices within its own borders.

Church makes online content accessible on their platform

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has updated its online content and has made it accessible to those who have disabilities. The content has also been posted on the Gospel Library app in the Life Help section, including materials for individuals, parents, and caregivers of those with disabilities.
All the Church materials including the scriptures are available in the following accessible formats: American Sign Language, Audio, Closed Captions, DAISY format, Materials on talking book cartridges, Victor Reader Stream Files, and Web Braille.

To say there is no freedom of expression in India is propaganda

While launching the News18 TV channel on the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir said ‘There are 392 news channels in the country, which is more than even the United States of America which has close to 100 channels. This speaks volume of the freedom of the media and true nature of democracy in India, but we must all also remember that when the Constitution of India was being prepared, all Indians were given the right of freedom of expression under 19 (1), but 19 (2) also put in some restrictions which I believe are not just restrictions, but duties’. He further noted that ‘There is a need to mind the fine line between freedom of expression, and the expression that hurts the nation. The Constitution clearly mentions the Rights of every individual, but it also mentions our duties. The problem arises when people only talk about their rights and forget their duties’, said Manoj.

 The impact of spyware on the right to freedom of expression

Founder and director of The Citizen Lab, Ronald Deibert talked to Article 19’s Jo Glanville about the technologies that turn your mobile into a spy in your pocket. The lab research unit, based at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto, focuses on internet security and threats to human rights.
In the podcast, recorded on 21 June, Deibert talks about the growth of the spyware industry and the fast-moving innovations that mean the people targeted are completely unaware of violations against their privacy. He points out that ‘democracies are among the clients for these technologies, and explains what role international human rights bodies can play in stemming violations and calling governments to account.’ 

UN Human Rights Office reports on negative effects of internet shutdowns

The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report on the dramatic real-life effects of internet shutdowns on people’s lives and how this has been vastly underestimated.

‘Too often, major communication channels or entire communication networks are slowed down or blocked,’ the report says, adding that this has deprived ‘thousands or even millions of people of their only means of reaching loved ones, continuing their work or participating in political debates or decisions.’

The report also discusses the phenomenon of internet shutdowns, looking at when and why they are imposed and examining how they undermine a range of human rights, primarily the right to freedom of expression. The report notes that between 2016 and 2021, there have been 931 shutdowns in 74 countries, as documented by the #KeepItOn coalition.

Mobily, Telecom Egypt sign Saudi to Egypt subsea cable MoU

Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Telecom Egypt for the construction of the first subsea cable directly connecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The MoU was signed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by Salman Al-Badran, CEO of Mobily, and Adel Hamed, managing director and CEO of Telecom Egypt. The MoU is part of Mobliy’s efforts to enhance its global infrastructure, boost the digital economy and provide digital solutions that align with the goals of the government’s Saudi Vision 2030. 

Telecom Egypt has been a key partner for subsea cable projects globally, and has recently entered into an agreement to become a landing partner for Aqua Comms’ EMIC-1 cable project. Through this agreement, both companies will explore new ways to connect international capacity in Europe through Telecom Egypt’s network, to the GCC through Mobily’s network. Both companies’ networks will be expanded and interconnected with neighbouring countries. 

EllaLink International cable launched in Cape Verde

Following a 2018 agreement between Cape Verde Telecom and EllaLink in 2018, where the two agreed to deliver connectivity from Europe and Latin America to Cape Verde, the EllaLink International cable has been launched. The partnership has been supported by the European Bank of Investments and the local Government of Cape Verde and now Praia is connected directly and neutrally to Brazil and Europe.

This new cable offers the lowest latency available on the market, as well as a capacity of 30 Tbps, providing Cape Verde with the benefit of secure and optimised connectivity. The EllaLink connection between Latin America and Europe has reduced the latency between the two continents by close to 50%, from +100 milliseconds to circa 60 milliseconds compared to traditional routes.

The EllaLink subsea cable will additionally help strengthen the Cape Verde digital economy having connected Praia to three continents with neutrality and independence. DE-CIX in March confirmed plans to provide EllaLink with access to its interconnection ecosystem in Southern Europe, through their internet exchanges in Lisbon, Madrid and Marseille. The new system also creates opportunities for the country to increase the quality of the internet service offered to the country, and can be extended to all West Africa.

XL Axiata and PPTEL launch BaSIC subsea cable

The Batam Sarawak International Cable System (BaSIC) subsea cable has been launched and will strengthen internet connections between Batam, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi in Indonesia. The 700m system connects Sarawak, Malaysia and Batam, Indonesia, which is then connected via land cable to Pontianak in West Kalimantan. 

The project started in 2020 and became operational on 1 June 2022. This cable system is an additional alternative international gateway for Indonesia to Kuching, Sarawak and Hong Kong and supports XL Axiata’s efforts to add new upstream international capacity to Indonesia.

BaSIC will deliver 6 fibre pairs offering an initial capacity 2Tbs, which will be gradually increased until it arrives at a maximum capacity of 48Tbs. The project is part of XL Axiata’s mission to provide infrastructure for better global internet access as well as to support the Indonesian government’s goal to encourage the use of digital technology.