Artificial intelligence Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

Romania initiates consortium selection for Black Sea AI gigafactory project

The Ministry of Energy of Romania and the Ministry of Finance of Romania have launched an expression of interest process to select a consortium leader for the Black Sea AI Gigafactory project. The announcement marks a new step in developing large-scale AI infrastructure.

According to the Ministry of Energy of Romania, the selected leader will be responsible for structuring, developing and implementing the project. The process aims to identify partners with strong financial capacity and relevant technical expertise.

The project is described as a strategic initiative to build an advanced AI computing infrastructure, supporting digital and industrial capabilities while strengthening integration within the European AI ecosystem.

This project will lead to the development of digital infrastructure, such as data centres, cloud facilities, semiconductor manufacturing campuses with high-availability/power utility systems, large-scale telecom facilities, or other comparable power-and cooling-intensive facilities integrating critical digital systems.

Authorities state that the initiative is intended to position the Black Sea region as a key location for next generation AI infrastructure and to expand technological capacity in Romania.

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Minnesota weighs AI free speech limits

The National Constitution Center reports that Minnesota lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment to exclude AI systems from free speech protections. The proposal would clarify that such rights apply to people, not machines.

According to the National Constitution Center, the amendment would add language stating that AI does not have the right to speak, write or publish sentiments freely. Human free speech protections would remain unchanged under the proposal.

The article highlights ongoing debate around the measure, with supporters arguing it distinguishes human rights from technological tools, while critics warn it could affect how AI-generated content is treated under the law.

The National Constitution Center notes that the proposal reflects broader tensions over how legal systems should address AI and free expression as the issue develops in Minnesota.

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The Egyptian government emphasises the role of AI in the economy

The Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt has highlighted the role of AI in supporting national development, according to an official statement. The focus forms part of broader efforts to advance digital transformation.

The Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt emphasised that AI technologies are being integrated into key sectors to improve efficiency and support economic growth. The approach reflects a wider strategy to modernise public services.

The statement also underlined the importance of building technical capacity and strengthening infrastructure to support AI adoption. This includes developing skills and enhancing institutional readiness.

The Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt presented these efforts as part of long-term planning to expand digital capabilities and innovation in Egypt.

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EU investigates Meta over WhatsApp AI access in major antitrust enforcement case

The European Commission has issued a supplementary charge sheet to Meta (called Supplementary Statement of Objections), outlining concerns over potential restrictions on third-party AI assistants’ access to WhatsApp.

A move that forms part of an ongoing investigation into a possible abuse of dominant market position under the EU competition rules.

The Commission’s preliminary assessment suggests that recent policy changes, including the introduction of access fees, may have effects equivalent to an earlier exclusion of competing AI services.

Something that raises concerns about barriers to entry and reduced competition in the emerging market for AI assistants.

As part of interim measures under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, regulators are considering requiring Meta to restore access to its services under previous conditions.

Such measures aim to prevent serious and potentially irreversible harm to competition while the investigation continues.

The case has been expanded to cover the entire European Economic Area, reflecting coordination with national authorities.

These proceedings highlight increasing regulatory scrutiny of platform control over AI ecosystems and access to digital markets.

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UK strengthens AI healthcare governance to ensure safety, equity and system-wide evaluation

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the UK has outlined priorities for regulating AI in healthcare, focusing on safety, effectiveness and public trust.

An approach that includes strengthening pre-market evaluation and post-market surveillance, particularly for adaptive systems operating in real-world settings.

Contributions from the Health Foundation and the National Commission for the Regulation of AI in Healthcare highlight the need for broader governance frameworks.

These extend beyond technical validation to include implementation challenges, system-wide impacts and the role of human oversight in clinical environments.

The analysis emphasises that AI in healthcare operates as a socio-technical system, requiring assessment of usability, fairness and real-world outcomes. It also identifies gaps in current evaluation practices, particularly in local service assessments, which may lack consistency and reliability.

Strengthening evaluation standards, improving coordination and addressing risks such as bias and inequity are presented as central to enabling safe and scalable adoption.

Such a framework in the UK aims to balance innovation with accountability while ensuring equitable access to healthcare technologies.

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Russia advances draft AI regulation framework

Russia has moved forward with a draft law outlining the fundamentals of state regulation of AI technologies, with the public consultation closed on 15 April 2026. The proposal outlines a structured compliance framework to tighten oversight of AI system development and deployment nationwide.

Under the draft, AI system operators would be required to test their systems to identify potential uses that could violate Russian legislation.

The framework also introduces a classification of trusted AI models, which would be subject to formal security verification by authorised federal bodies responsible for technical intelligence countermeasures and information security.

The proposed rules also establish a certification process for quality compliance, to be carried out in accordance with procedures defined by the Russian government. These measures aim to create a multi-layered oversight system for AI security and performance in regulated environments.

The proposed framework signals a shift towards tighter state control over how AI is tested, classified, and deployed, particularly in sensitive or high-risk environments. By introducing mandatory testing, security certification and government-defined quality standards, it increases regulatory scrutiny across the AI lifecycle.

The broader implication is a move towards more centralised governance of AI systems, where compliance and risk management become embedded requirements rather than optional best practices.

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South Korea leads AI patents per capita while strengthening models and policy frameworks

According to the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI‘s AI Index 2026 report, South Korea leads globally in AI patents per capita, reflecting a high concentration of innovation relative to population size.

Such a measure highlights the country’s strong research and development intensity in emerging technologies.

While China and the US dominate in total patent volume, South Korea ranks first in innovation density and third in the number of notable AI models, indicating a balanced performance across research output and technological deployment.

The findings also point to rapid growth in generative AI adoption, alongside sustained legislative activity.

Over recent years, multiple AI-related laws have been enacted, positioning South Korea among the leading economies in developing governance frameworks to support innovation.

The combination of technical output, policy support and adoption trends illustrates how coordinated national strategies can strengthen AI ecosystems, linking research capacity with regulatory development and real-world application.

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EPO introduces AI captions to improve accessibility in digital patent proceedings

The European Patent Office (EPO) has introduced automated real-time captions for oral proceedings conducted via video conference (VICOs), aiming to improve accessibility for participants with hearing impairments.

The measure forms part of broader efforts to enhance inclusivity within digital public services.

A system that enables speech recognition-based captions during virtual hearings, with optional translation into official languages.

While activation requires prior request, the feature reflects a shift towards more accessible and adaptable procedural frameworks in digital legal environments.

The introduction of captions aligns with wider European accessibility and digitalisation objectives, supporting equitable participation in administrative and legal processes.

At the same time, the EPO notes that machine-generated captions may contain inaccuracies and are intended solely as a support tool during proceedings.

Such a development illustrates how AI-enabled tools are being integrated into institutional workflows to address accessibility barriers, while maintaining procedural safeguards and operational integrity.

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Brazil links AI and technical standards in competitiveness push

Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade said the integration of AI and technical standardisation should be treated as a strategic issue for the country’s competitiveness.

The position was presented during a meeting organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, which brought together public bodies and specialists to discuss AI governance and its effects on the productive sector and on the state.

Pedro Ivo, secretary for Competitiveness and Regulatory Policy at the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, said technical standards can help reduce costs, facilitate trade, and improve competitiveness. He also said linking that process to AI could support a more predictable regulatory environment.

According to the ministry, the discussion also highlighted the international dimension of the issue and Brazil’s efforts to expand its role in shaping AI-related standards and guidelines. The programme included discussions of global AI impacts, regulatory challenges, and the role of international organisations in technical regulation for information and communication technologies.

Tiago Munk, the ministry’s coordinator-general for quality infrastructure, said technical standards can play a central role in AI governance by defining criteria, requirements, and good practices for systems, products, and services. He added that Brazil should take an active role in developing international standards.

The meeting was presented as part of a broader government effort to strengthen coordination on AI, with attention to policy direction, institutional coordination, and the country’s position in the digital economy.

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Google pushes partnerships to shape AI economic impact

A new initiative from Google highlights growing efforts to shape how AI will affect jobs and the wider economy.

Announced alongside a policy forum in Washington D.C., the programme brings together economists, policymakers and industry leaders to assess risks, identify knowledge gaps and support coordinated responses to technological change.

Fresh investment in research forms a central pillar of the strategy. Through its AI and Economy Research Program, Google is funding academic collaboration and global studies focused on labour markets, productivity and sector-specific transformation.

Partnerships aim to generate insights on AI’s impact on work, with the strongest results seen where it supports learning, reduces routine tasks and improves collaboration.

Workforce preparation represents a parallel priority. Google has already trained millions in digital skills and is expanding efforts through AI-focused certification programmes and a $120 million global fund for education initiatives.

New partnerships target practical applications, including training healthcare workers, expanding apprenticeships and equipping manufacturing employees with AI capabilities across multiple regions.

Long-term impact will depend on coordination between the public and private sectors. Google’s approach reflects a broader shift towards structured governance, combining investment, research and policy engagement to manage both opportunities and risks.

Outcomes will hinge on how effectively stakeholders align innovation with workforce readiness and economic resilience.

Growing investment in AI research and workforce training directly shapes how economies absorb technological change and whether workers benefit or fall behind. Without alignment, skills gaps, uneven adoption and regulatory uncertainty could limit AI’s potential and widen labour market inequalities.

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