Artificial intelligence Archives | Page 25 of 668

YouTube expands AI likeness detection tool to more creators

YouTube said it is expanding its AI likeness detection tool to all eligible creators over 18, allowing more users to identify and request the removal of unauthorised AI-generated videos that use their facial likeness.

The company said the feature, available through YouTube Studio, is intended to detect altered or synthetic videos that may depict a user’s face. Once enrolled, users can review detected matches and request the removal of content that violates YouTube’s Privacy Guidelines.

The platform said likeness detection had recently been introduced as a pilot for creators in the YouTube Partner Program and will now roll out gradually over the coming weeks to all eligible creators aged 18 or older.

YouTube said the tool is intended to help users understand where their likeness appears, safeguard their identity, and protect audiences from being misled by AI-generated depictions.

To enrol, users must grant the platform permission to use likeness-detection technology and complete a one-time verification process. According to YouTube, the tool works only on facial likeness and does not cover other identifying features such as voice.

YouTube said removal requests will be assessed under YouTube’s privacy policy, including whether the content is realistic, whether it is labelled as AI-generated, and whether the person can be uniquely identified. The company also provides exceptions for content such as parody or satire.

YouTube spokesperson Jack Malon said:

‘With this expansion, we’re making clear that whether creators have been uploading to YouTube for a decade or are just starting, they’ll have access to the same level of protection.’

The expansion follows earlier testing with creators and broader availability for groups including public officials, politicians, journalists, and the entertainment industry. It comes amid growing concern about deepfakes affecting both public figures and private individuals.

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Vatican establishes commission on AI under Pope Leo XIV

The Vatican has established an Inter-Dicasterial Commission on Artificial Intelligence, approved by Pope Leo XIV, to coordinate work on the implications of rapidly advancing AI technologies.

The decision was formalised in a rescript dated 12 May and published by the Holy See Press Office on 16 May. The document refers to the acceleration of AI development and its widespread use, as well as its potential effects on human beings and humanity as a whole.

The rescript links the initiative to the Church’s concern for the dignity of every human being, especially in relation to integral human development. It says the commission was established by the Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with the approval of Pope Leo XIV.

The commission will include representatives from the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Dicastery for Communication, the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

Coordination will initially be entrusted to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development for one year, renewable if necessary. The coordinating institution will facilitate collaboration and information exchange among participating bodies on AI-related activities and projects, including policies on AI use within the Holy See.

Why does it matter?

The commission shows that the Vatican is treating AI as a cross-cutting institutional issue linked to human dignity, social responsibility and internal governance. By involving several dicasteries and pontifical academies, the Holy See is positioning AI not only as a technological matter, but as a question affecting doctrine, communication, education, science, life ethics and integral human development.

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UNESCO report warns AI-driven abuse threatens women journalists globally

UNESCO, in partnership with Information Integrity Initiative (III) for UN Women and the International Center for Journalists, has published a new global report warning that online violence against women journalists is intensifying in the AI era, contributing to psychological harm, professional withdrawal, and growing levels of self-censorship.

The report, titled ‘Tipping Point: Online Violence Impacts, Manifestations and Redress in the AI Age’, was released ahead of World Press Freedom Day 2026, and the report examines how digital harassment affects participation in journalism and online public debate.

Researchers found that 45% of surveyed women journalists and media workers reported self-censoring on social media because of online violence, compared with 30% recorded in UNESCO’s 2020 study. Around 22% also reported self-censorship within professional environments.

The study additionally identified severe mental health impacts linked to sustained online abuse. Approximately one quarter of respondents reported being diagnosed with or treated for anxiety or depression associated with online violence, while 13% reported post-traumatic stress disorder.

AI-enabled abuse emerged as a major concern throughout the report. Researchers documented increasing use of deepfakes, manipulated sexual imagery, non-consensual intimate content, cyberflashing, and synthetic media targeting women journalists.

According to the findings, 5% of surveyed participants experienced deepfake or manipulated visual content, while nearly one quarter reported receiving unwanted sexual advances or explicit material through digital messaging systems.

The report also highlighted increasing attempts by journalists to pursue legal accountability. Around 22% reported incidents to police, while 14% initiated legal action against perpetrators, facilitators, or employers. Despite those increases, UNESCO warned that significant barriers to justice remain, including reluctance by authorities to investigate online abuse cases and victim-blaming responses.

These findings align with broader warnings contained in UNESCO’s World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development report, which documented rising attacks against journalists, growing self-censorship, and expanding digital threats to media freedom worldwide.

Why does it matter?

AI systems are lowering the cost and increasing the scale of harassment campaigns, enabling synthetic media, impersonation, and coordinated abuse to spread more rapidly across digital platforms. UNESCO suggests that protecting press freedom increasingly requires stronger platform accountability, digital safety mechanisms, AI governance frameworks, and support systems for journalists facing technology-facilitated abuse.

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Malta offers free ChatGPT Plus through AI literacy initiative

OpenAI and the Government of Malta have announced a partnership to provide Maltese citizens with access to ChatGPT Plus through a national AI literacy initiative.

The programme, called AI for All, will require participants to complete a course developed by the University of Malta before receiving one year of ChatGPT Plus at no cost. The course is designed to explain what AI is, what it can and cannot do, and how it can be used responsibly at home and at work.

The first phase is scheduled to launch in May, with distribution managed by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority. OpenAI said the programme will scale as more Maltese residents and citizens abroad complete the course.

OpenAI framed the partnership within its OpenAI for Countries initiative, which supports governments and institutions developing national AI adoption strategies. The company said the Malta model combines a locally designed course, access to ChatGPT Plus and a national programme intended to help citizens use AI for learning, work, creativity and public participation.

George Osborne, Head of OpenAI for Countries, said the partnership reflects a model in which national AI access is paired with skills development. Malta’s Minister for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri, said the initiative is intended to help citizens build confidence and practical skills for a digital economy.

Why does it matter?

Malta’s initiative links access to advanced AI tools with structured AI literacy, rather than treating adoption as a matter of availability alone. By requiring citizens to complete training before receiving ChatGPT Plus, the programme addresses both access and responsible use. It also shows how governments may increasingly shape AI adoption through national skills programmes, partnerships with AI companies and public-facing digital capability initiatives.

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Ghana launches WHO-UNDP programme on AI-driven health system resilience

Ghana has launched an AI-driven health programme aimed at strengthening its healthcare system, improving resilience and protecting vulnerable communities.

The initiative is a joint programme by the World Health Organization and the UN Development Programme, funded by the Government of Japan through the UN Trust Fund for Human Security. It is being implemented in collaboration with Ghana’s Ministry of Health.

The programme focuses on integrating AI into Ghana’s health systems in an ethical, inclusive and people-centred way. It aims to strengthen AI governance, protect health data, build institutional and workforce capacity, and expand digital literacy among healthcare workers and communities.

A key component includes the deployment of AI-enabled early warning systems for climate-sensitive diseases, integrated into national platforms such as DHIS2. The programme will also support responsible private-sector engagement in digital health.

Speaking at the launch, WHO Representative to Ghana said the programme would strengthen the country’s digital health ecosystem by advancing AI governance, safeguarding health data and preparing a workforce able to deliver people-centred care.

UNDP Resident Representative Niloy Bernejee said strengthening health systems and responsible digital innovation could reinforce stability, build resilience and support sustainable development.

The initiative is grounded in a human security approach, focusing on protecting and empowering vulnerable and marginalised populations while improving equitable access to digital health solutions.

Why does it matter?

The programme shows how AI is being integrated into health systems not only as a technical tool, but as part of broader governance, resilience and equity planning. By combining early warning systems for climate-sensitive diseases with data protection, workforce training and digital literacy, Ghana is addressing both immediate healthcare needs and longer-term capacity gaps in responsible digital health.

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Global experts gather for CPDP 2026

The CPDP Conference 2026 has released its detailed programme, outlining a multi-day agenda of panels, workshops and cultural sessions focused on AI, data protection and digital governance. The conference will run from 19 to 22 May 2026, bringing together global experts across policy, academia and industry.

Across the programme, a wide range of panels and debates will explore key themes including AI regulation, digital governance, workplace data rights and platform power. Alongside panels and discussions, there will also be short movies and workshops offering conference topics in different formats.

Workshops are scheduled throughout each day, with structured breaks including coffee sessions and lunch intervals offering networking moments for participants. Topics range from AI in healthcare and advertising to digital conflict, governance under pressure and privacy-preserving technologies.

The programme also includes specialised tracks and cultural sessions, such as film screenings and artistic discussions on algorithmic systems, alongside academic panels and policy debates. The event will conclude after a final series of workshops and sessions on 22 May in Brussels, Belgium.

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OpenAI responds to TanStack supply chain cyber attack

OpenAI has confirmed that two employee devices were affected during the wider ‘Mini Shai-Hulud’ supply chain attack linked to the compromised TanStack npm package. The AI giant said there is no evidence that user data, production systems, intellectual property or deployed software were compromised.

According to OpenAI, attackers gained limited access to internal source code repositories through credential-focused malware activity, but only a small amount of credential material was successfully exfiltrated, and no customer information or code repositories were altered.

As part of its response, the company isolated affected systems, revoked sessions, rotated credentials and restricted parts of its deployment workflows. OpenAI also launched a precautionary rotation of software signing certificates across products, including ChatGPT Desktop, Codex App, Codex CLI and Atlas. macOS users must update their applications before 12 June 2026, when older certificates will be revoked, and unsupported versions may stop functioning.

The incident reflects growing concern across the technology sector about software supply chain attacks targeting open-source dependencies and CI/CD infrastructure instead of direct attacks against individual firms.

OpenAI said it accelerated new protections after a previous cyberattack, including stricter package verification controls and provenance validation mechanisms designed to reduce risks from compromised upstream libraries.

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WEF highlights AI shift in life sciences R&D

A World Economic Forum (WEF) report highlights a major structural shift in the life sciences industry, as AI drives a move away from traditional linear drug development towards continuous, system-based research and development. Instead of progressing through fixed pipelines, R&D is increasingly operating as an adaptive cycle of design, testing, and iteration.

AI is accelerating discovery and widening access to innovation, but the key bottlenecks are shifting further downstream. Validation, regulatory approval, and large-scale deployment are becoming the main constraints, underscoring the complexity of translating ideas into safe and effective therapies.

At the same time, success is increasingly measured through long-term patient outcomes rather than single blockbuster drug performance.

Data is emerging as the foundation of this new model, with quality, traceability, and auditability positioned as critical requirements for both regulatory compliance and scientific integrity. The WEF report notes that governance frameworks are expected to evolve toward continuous oversight, reflecting the dynamic nature of AI-enabled R&D systems.

The industry is also becoming more structurally layered, with decentralised innovation at the front end and increasingly centralised validation and scaling. Competitive advantage will depend less on individual drug candidates and more on the ability to operate integrated, AI-driven R&D systems.

As the World Economic Forum highlights, it signals a structural shift in how medical innovation is produced and scaled, moving from isolated drug breakthroughs to continuous, AI-driven systems.

That changes the basis of competition in life sciences, where advantage increasingly depends on integrated R&D infrastructure rather than individual products. It also raises the importance of data governance, regulatory adaptation, and long-term outcome tracking at a time when healthcare systems are under pressure from ageing populations and chronic disease.

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Europe’s AI future increasingly depends on electricity and power infrastructure

A new opinion piece published by the World Economic Forum argues that the global AI race is rapidly shifting from software and models towards electricity generation, power infrastructure, and compute capacity.

The analysis by Lucy Yu, CEO for Centre for Net Zero, suggests that Europe’s future competitiveness in AI may depend less on research talent and more on whether the region can deliver clean and reliable energy fast enough to support expanding AI infrastructure.

The article highlights how the US and China continue to dominate the global AI ecosystem through massive investments in data centres, cloud infrastructure, and semiconductor capacity. Europe, meanwhile, faces growing concerns over digital dependence, particularly because US hyperscalers control most of the European cloud market while China maintains a leading position in AI patent filings and industrial deployment.

One of the central concerns involves the speed of infrastructure deployment. Grid connection timelines in some European markets can reportedly stretch close to a decade, while energy prices remain significantly higher than in the USA.

Such delays are already affecting investment decisions, with some operators reportedly bypassing congested electricity networks through direct links to gas-fired power plants, despite Europe’s broader net-zero objectives.

One more argument is that Europe’s challenge is not necessarily a shortage of renewable energy resources, but rather the inability to coordinate energy generation, electricity demand, and infrastructure deployment efficiently.

Offshore wind in the North Sea, southern European solar generation, and Scandinavian hydropower are identified as major strategic assets that remain underutilised because of fragmented infrastructure planning.

Large-scale data centres may help stabilise electricity systems by creating predictable demand patterns capable of improving grid utilisation and spreading infrastructure costs across greater consumption volumes.

Flexible AI data centres, battery systems, distributed energy resources, and AI-powered energy management systems are presented as possible solutions capable of reducing network strain and supporting cleaner electricity integration.

Lucy Yu’s analysis concludes that Europe still has an opportunity to compete in the next phase of AI development, but warns that the window is narrowing quickly. Without faster regulatory coordination, grid modernisation, and energy infrastructure reform, AI investment could increasingly shift towards regions capable of delivering power and compute capacity more rapidly.

Why does it matter?

The debate reflects a major structural shift in the global AI economy. Instead of competing only on algorithms and talent, countries are increasingly competing on access to electricity, semiconductor infrastructure, and data centre capacity. Decisions taken during the next few years could determine whether Europe becomes a major AI infrastructure hub or remains dependent on foreign cloud providers and external compute ecosystems.

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UK committee urges stronger online safety protections

The UK Parliament’s Science, Innovation and Technology Committee has urged the government to strengthen online safety protections for young people, following evidence on proposals to restrict social media access for under-16s.

Committee Chair Dame Chi Onwurah wrote to Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall and AI and Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan after an evidence session on age-based restrictions.

The committee said there is strong and consistent evidence of significant individual harms linked to social media use, alongside a growing body of evidence showing wider negative impacts. It said there is a clear need to protect people, especially young users, from those harms.

The letter argues that responsibility for preventing harm should not rest solely on young people or parents. It says government inaction on online safety is not an option and calls for stronger enforcement of existing age restrictions

The committee also urged the government to revisit its July 2025 report on social media misinformation. Although the government accepted almost all of the report’s conclusions, the committee said it rejected almost all recommendations for change. It is now calling for action on misinformation, harmful algorithms, and online harms in the new parliamentary session.

Dame Chi Onwurah said: ‘The status quo, where social media companies are neither accountable nor responsible for preventing harms, isn’t acceptable. It’s clear social media can cause real harm and more must be done to protect people, especially young users. If any other consumer product caused these harms, it would’ve been recalled or changed. Shouldn’t the same be true for social media services and design features?’

She added: ‘The government must urgently address gaps in the regulation, legislation and enforcement of online safety. It should revisit and adopt my committee’s previous recommendations on tackling misinformation and harmful algorithms and bring forward legislation to effectively tackle online harms in the new parliamentary session.’

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