Artificial intelligence Archives | Page 25 of 702

EU launches ADACities for autonomous driving

The European Commission has launched the Autonomous Drive Ambition Cities initiative to support the deployment of autonomous driving technologies in cities across the EU.

The initiative, known as ADACities, was announced by Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen during the first international forum of the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance in Brussels.

The Commission said ADACities will serve as a mobility flagship under the Apply AI Strategy, allowing selected EU cities to become real-world deployment sites for autonomous mobility innovation.

The initiative will support technologies such as robo-taxis, car-sharing services, autonomous shuttles for multimodal urban mobility and advanced self-driving cars. Participating cities will target fleets of 100 or more autonomous vehicles by 2030.

The Commission said partnerships supported by ADACities should be EU-centric, with European vehicle manufacturers and technology providers at the core, while still allowing international collaboration.

The initiative is also linked to the EU Technological Sovereignty Package. The Commission said autonomous driving deployment will draw on European capabilities in semiconductors, sovereign cloud and data infrastructure, AI Factories and open-source technologies.

ADACities builds on a joint declaration of intent to create a cross-border testbed for automated vehicle deployment. The Commission has opened a call for expressions of interest and will hold an online information session for cities and stakeholders.

Why does it matter?

ADACities shows how the EU is treating autonomous driving as part of AI deployment, urban mobility and industrial competitiveness, not only as a transport technology. By linking autonomous mobility to sovereign cloud, semiconductors, data infrastructure and AI Factories, the Commission is framing city-level deployment as a test of Europe’s ability to turn AI and automotive expertise into scalable public services. The initiative also raises governance questions around safety, liability, infrastructure readiness, data use and public trust.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Meta launches new AI glasses with Muse Spark assistant

Meta has launched a new generation of AI glasses in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, expanding its push to make wearable AI a mainstream consumer technology.

The new Meta Glasses build on the company’s existing AI eyewear portfolio and will launch with 26 styles across different colours, lenses and frames.

Meta said the glasses include hands-free photo and video capture, open-ear audio, voice control, calls and messaging, live translation and access to Meta AI. The company also said the device offers more than eight hours of battery life, with a charging case providing up to 40 additional hours.

The glasses are the first in Meta’s AI eyewear line to launch with Meta AI powered by Muse Spark from day one. Meta said the model, developed by Meta Superintelligence Labs, gives the assistant stronger multimodal capabilities, including a better understanding of what users are seeing.

The company said the assistant can answer questions, suggest local recommendations, support daily tasks and help users manage schedules hands-free. Meta is also adding features such as dynamic photo capture, pedestrian navigation for displayless glasses and live translation support for 14 additional languages.

The launch reflects growing competition in AI wearables, as technology companies seek new interfaces beyond smartphones. By combining AI assistance with everyday eyewear, Meta is trying to position smart glasses as a practical gateway to always-available AI services.

Why does it matter?

AI glasses move digital assistants closer to the physical world, giving AI systems access to what users see, hear and do throughout the day. That could make AI more useful for translation, navigation, accessibility and hands-free computing, but it also raises questions over privacy, bystander consent, data collection and dependence on platform-controlled AI assistants.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

NVIDIA launches robotics safety platform for autonomous AI systems

NVIDIA has unveiled Halos for Robotics, a new safety platform designed to support the deployment of autonomous robots and physical AI systems in industrial environments.

The announcement reflects growing industry attention to safety, governance and certification as AI-powered machines increasingly operate alongside human workers in factories, warehouses and logistics facilities.

NVIDIA describes Halos as a full-stack safety architecture that combines AI computing infrastructure, safety software, sensor integration and certification support.

The platform adapts technologies originally developed for autonomous vehicles, providing robotics developers with a common framework for designing, testing and validating safety-critical systems.

NVIDIA argues that standardised safety architectures will become increasingly important as robots gain greater autonomy and decision-making capabilities.

A key element of the launch is the participation of Agility, whose humanoid robot Digit is already being deployed in industrial settings. Agility will integrate components of Halos into its existing safety systems while working with NVIDIA’s newly established AI Systems Inspection Lab to pursue independent certification against international safety standards.

Why does it matter?

The announcement reflects the growing convergence of AI and robotics as autonomous systems move from controlled testing environments into real-world industrial operations. As robots gain greater autonomy and interact more directly with people, safety assurance, certification and risk management are becoming as important as performance and capability.

The launch also highlights a broader governance challenge for physical AI. Unlike generative AI systems that primarily operate in digital environments, autonomous robots can directly affect physical safety, workplace operations and critical infrastructure. Common safety architectures, certification frameworks and industry standards could therefore play an increasingly important role in building trust and supporting the large-scale deployment of AI-powered machines.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

World Bank says AI could boost Poland’s GDP by up to 12% by 2035

The World Bank Group says AI could increase Poland’s real GDP by between 1.3% and 12.1% by 2035, depending on the pace of business adoption, workforce adaptation and supportive public policies.

In its report, ‘Navigating the Age of AI: Implications for Poland’s Economy‘, the World Bank Group said AI-driven productivity gains could begin emerging within three years. However, with only 8% of Polish firms currently using AI, the report identifies substantial scope for further adoption and productivity gains.

The report suggests that AI‘s most significant impact is likely to be on how work is organised and performed rather than on the overall composition of the economy. The business services sector is expected to be among the first to experience significant change as routine and repetitive tasks become increasingly automated.

The report argues that capturing AI’s benefits will require sustained investment in digital infrastructure, skills development and innovation, alongside labour-market measures designed to support workforce transition and adaptation. The report was developed in collaboration with the Government of Poland, academia, think tanks and international partners in Warsaw.

Why does it matter?

The report highlights the growing importance of AI as a driver of productivity and economic growth. For countries such as Poland, the potential gains from AI will depend not only on technological adoption but also on the ability of businesses, workers and institutions to adapt to changing economic conditions.

The findings also reinforce a broader policy lesson emerging globally: AI’s economic impact is likely to be shaped as much by investments in skills, infrastructure and labour-market resilience as by the technology itself. Countries that successfully combine innovation with workforce development may be better positioned to capture productivity gains while limiting disruption and inequality during the transition.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

UN Women cautions AI is reinforcing gender bias

UN Women has warned that AI systems continue to reinforce long-standing gender stereotypes, even as they become increasingly embedded in everyday life. The organisation says many AI models still associate women with domestic roles while linking men to leadership, business, and career success.

Recent studies highlighted the scale of the issue. Research examining 133 AI systems found that 44% displayed gender bias, while more than a quarter showed both gender and racial bias. According to UN Women, these outcomes reflect biases embedded in training data and broader social patterns rather than isolated technical flaws.

Concerns extend beyond stereotyping and representation. AI-generated content is contributing to the spread of online abuse, with women human rights defenders, activists, and journalists reporting experiences ranging from manipulated images to deepfake content. At the same time, women remain underrepresented in the AI sector, accounting for only around 30% of the global workforce.

Ahead of international discussions on AI governance in Geneva, UN Women is urging governments, technology companies, and developers to place gender equality at the centre of AI policymaking. The organisation argues that inclusive AI development can help ensure the technology expands opportunities and participation rather than reproducing existing inequalities.

Why does it matter?

As AI systems become increasingly influential in hiring, education, healthcare, public services and online platforms, biased outputs can amplify existing inequalities at scale. Gender stereotypes embedded in AI models may affect how people are represented, evaluated and treated, making fairness and inclusivity important considerations in AI development and deployment.

The issue also highlights the relationship between technical design and social outcomes. Diverse datasets, inclusive development teams and robust governance mechanisms are increasingly viewed as necessary to reduce harmful biases and improve trust in AI systems. As governments develop AI regulations and standards, questions of gender equality, representation and accountability are likely to play a growing role in shaping future AI governance frameworks.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our chatbot!

Estonia proposes world-first digital IDs for AI agents

Estonia is moving forward with plans to create official digital identities for AI agents, a move that could make it the first country to establish a formal framework for AI systems acting on behalf of individuals and organisations. The proposal received backing from Prime Minister Kristen Michal following discussions within the Eesti.ai advisory board.

Under the proposed framework, AI agents would be granted limited and clearly defined permissions, enabling them to perform specific tasks such as preparing documents, handling administrative procedures and accessing designated information. Authorities say the framework would ensure that every action remains traceable, auditable and subject to clear human accountability.

Officials argue that digital identities for AI could prevent users from granting excessive access to personal data and services while supporting the growing use of AI across the economy. The initiative builds on Estonia’s long-established digital infrastructure, including digital identities, electronic signatures and secure data-sharing systems.

Alongside the AI identity project, Estonia is exploring a new testing environment for air and water drones in the Baltic Sea region and expanding programmes designed to improve AI literacy. Authorities are also working to strengthen Estonian-language AI models and support organisations in making informed decisions about AI adoption and deployment.

Why does it matter?

As AI agents become increasingly capable of performing administrative, professional and transactional tasks, questions about identity, authorisation and accountability are becoming central governance challenges. Estonia’s proposal seeks to create a formal mechanism for defining what an AI agent is allowed to do, who authorised those actions and who remains responsible for the outcomes.

The initiative also represents a potentially significant evolution of digital identity systems. If successful, Estonia could provide an early model for integrating AI agents into public services and the wider digital economy while preserving transparency, security and trust. The framework may influence future debates on AI governance, digital public infrastructure and the legal status of increasingly autonomous AI systems in other jurisdictions.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our chatbot!

Five Eyes agencies urge action on AI cyber risk

Five Eyes cybersecurity agencies have urged business and technology leaders to act quickly as AI transforms the cyber landscape.

In a joint statement issued on 22 June, the leaders of the Five Eyes cybersecurity agencies said AI is already changing both offensive and defensive cyber capabilities. They said AI can strengthen cyber defence capabilities, but it is also increasing the speed, scale and sophistication of cyber threats.

The agencies said frontier AI models could surpass current industry expectations and fundamentally reshape cyber capabilities within months rather than years. They warned that AI is lowering barriers for malicious actors and shrinking the time between vulnerability discovery and exploitation.

The statement was signed by cybersecurity leaders from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingd o m, and the United States. Signatories included the heads of the Australian Cyber Security Centre, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, New Zealand’s National Cyber Security Centre, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the US National Security Agency’s Cyber Security Directorate.

The agencies said cyber resilience should be treated as a strategic business risk and leadership responsibility rather than solely a technical concern. Boards and executives should ensure that cyber controls are in place and can operate effectively under pressure during real incidents.

The statement urged leaders to assess organisational risk, preparedness and accountability while ensuring cybersecurity remains integrated into broader business decision-making. It also called on organisations to prioritise foundational cybersecurity practices, give cyber leaders sufficient authority and resources, and remain engaged as threats and guidance evolve.

The agencies said secure-by-design and secure-by-default must become standard practice rather than an aspiration. They also said resilience cannot depend on a single technology, making defence in depth essential as AI systems evolve.

The statement warned that new, previously unknown vulnerabilities, including zero-day exploits, will continue to emerge. It said breaches will occur, but preparedness can help organisations contain them quickly and prevent escalation into major operational and financial crises.

The Five Eyes agencies recommended five practical actions for leaders. Organisations should reduce their attack surface by limiting unnecessary access and external connectivity, and should question whether systems need to be exposed at all.

They should also accelerate patching processes because AI is shortening the time between vulnerability discovery and exploitation. Delays in patching can increase risk, especially for operational systems with long update cycles.

The statement also urged organisations to address legacy systems, describing unsupported systems as strategic liabilities rather than only technical debt. Leaders were also told to review and strengthen identity and access controls, enforce strong authentication, and regularly review permissions.

Incident preparation was another priority. The agencies said organisations should test response plans, train teams, and assume breaches will happen, with a focus on fast containment and recovery.

The agencies also encouraged organisations to deploy AI as a defensive tool, using it to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen monitoring and accelerate incident response. Organisations that integrate AI tools into security operations can detect vulnerabilities earlier, improve software quality, monitor unusual behaviour and respond faster to incidents.

The statement said success will not come from having the most tools. Instead, it said organisations should focus on getting the basics right, acting quickly and integrating cyber security into core business strategy.

The Five Eyes agencies said leaders who act now will reduce exposure, strengthen resilience, and build confidence with customers, partners, and investors. Those who delay, they said, will face growing, avoidable risks.

Why does it matter?

The statement reflects growing concern among major cybersecurity agencies that AI is changing the balance between attackers and defenders. By accelerating vulnerability discovery, automating reconnaissance and lowering technical barriers for malicious actors, AI could significantly reduce the time organisations have to identify, patch and mitigate emerging threats.

The warning also signals a broader shift in cybersecurity governance. Rather than treating cyber risk as a technical issue delegated to IT departments, governments increasingly expect boards and senior executives to view cyber resilience as a core organisational responsibility. As AI capabilities advance, secure-by-design systems, rapid patch management, strong identity controls and tested incident response plans are becoming central elements of national and corporate cyber resilience strategies.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

UK and Malaysia launch negotiations on digital trade agreement

The UK and Malaysia have launched negotiations on a digital trade agreement aimed at supporting economic growth, creating jobs and expanding cross-border digital services.

The UK government said the talks mark the next step in its effort to strengthen the country’s role as a global hub for services and digital trade. Digital trade encompasses the exchange of goods, services and data that are enabled or delivered through digital technologies.

The proposed agreement could support activities such as UK businesses selling software to overseas customers through online platforms or providing financial consultancy services remotely across borders.

The UK said standalone digital trade agreements can deliver benefits similar to digital trade chapters in traditional free trade agreements while remaining more agile, flexible and quicker to negotiate and implement.

The UK and Malaysia already maintain a growing trade relationship. The UK said bilateral trade was worth £6.4 billion in 2025, and that it exported £730 million in digitally delivered services to Malaysia in 2023. The UK also cited OECD estimates showing that exports to Malaysia supported 31,100 UK jobs in 2022.

The proposed digital trade agreement aims to make trade with Malaysia easier, cheaper, and more secure through cross-border data flows. Other potential benefits include reducing paperwork and border friction through digital systems.

The agreement could also include provisions on personal data protection, intellectual property rights, online consumer protection and cybersecurity cooperation. The UK said the deal aims to strengthen international digital and technology cooperation by supporting responsible innovation in areas such as AI and data.

The government said the agreement could create new partnerships that support more efficient supply chains, infrastructure, and global competitiveness.

UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant said launching negotiations with Malaysia marks an important step in strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in digital trade.

Bryant said a UK-Malaysia digital trade agreement could unlock new opportunities for British businesses, support high-skilled jobs, and help firms compete in fast-growing, technology-driven markets.

Why does it matter?

Digital trade is becoming a central pillar of international economic policy as services, data flows and digital platforms play a growing role in global commerce. For economies such as the UK, which have strong services sectors, agreements that facilitate cross-border data flows and remote service delivery can create new opportunities for businesses while reducing regulatory and administrative barriers.

The negotiations also reflect a broader shift towards standalone digital trade agreements as a faster and more flexible alternative to traditional trade deals. Beyond commercial benefits, such agreements increasingly address issues including AI governance, cybersecurity, consumer protection and data regulation, making them important instruments for shaping the rules of the digital economy and strengthening international digital cooperation.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

UNESCO launches media literacy guide for families in the digital age

UNESCO has launched a global media literacy guide to help parents, caregivers, and families support children’s safe, informed and critical engagement with digital environments.

The guide, titled Growing Up in a Connected World: A Family Guide for the Digital Age, was launched at UNESCO Headquarters and online, attracting around 700 participants. It is available in English, French, and Spanish.

Developed by UNESCO in partnership with the French Media and Information Literacy Centre, CLEMI / Réseau Canopé, the guide is intended to equip families with media and information literacy skills to help guide children’s digital engagement.

UNESCO said the initiative comes amid growing global debate over whether younger users’ access to social media should be restricted or, in some cases, prohibited altogether. The organisation said such debates reflect broader concerns about safety, wellbeing and exposure to harmful content, but also underline the need to help young people navigate digital spaces safely, critically, and confidently.

The guide addresses both opportunities and risks linked to digital technologies. UNESCO said digital technologies can expand access to knowledge, participation and connection, but can also expose children to cyberbullying, harmful content, misinformation, and hate speech.

Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO, said, ‘UNESCO promotes robust, evidence-based Media and Information Literacy policies. There is progress: UNESCO’s 2025 global survey shows that 171 countries now have a MIL policy framework. However, implementation remains uneven, with fewer than half of countries integrating media and information literacy into school curricula. As a result, too many children still receive no structured support at all. And when schools cannot fill this gap, the responsibility falls on families.’

Samuel Vitel, Director General of Réseau Canopé, said, ‘It is often through dialogue with parents that children learn to question information, compare different perspectives, and develop their critical thinking skills. This is why parents need support, just as we already provide it to teachers and to all education stakeholders.’

UNESCO said families are increasingly at the centre of today’s information ecosystems as digital and political transformations reshape society. The organisation said regulatory approaches such as safety by design remain important, but are not sufficient on their own.

The guide is designed to place practical tools directly in the hands of parents and caregivers. UNESCO said the aim is to support informed decision-making, strengthen autonomy within family life, and help families guide digital practices at home.

Mariya Gabriel, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, said, ‘This new Guide serves as a common foundation of knowledge that every parent should be able to access. Its publication today is, therefore, not the end of our work, but the beginning.’

UNESCO also highlighted the growing influence of AI on information consumption and communication practices. Citing research from the Reuters Institute, it said 15% of young adults aged 18 to 24 use AI weekly to access news, compared with 3% of older users.

The organisation called on regulators, media organisations, experts, and other stakeholders to help empower parents, children, and young people to navigate information ecosystems critically and confidently.

UNESCO said media and information literacy remains one of its core global programmes. Through these initiatives, UNESCO and its partners aim to strengthen critical thinking skills and digital competencies in response to rapid technological change.

Why does it matter?

The guide matters because debates over children’s online safety are moving beyond restrictions and platform rules alone. UNESCO’s approach places media literacy at the centre of child protection, arguing that young people also need support to understand information, assess risks, and navigate digital spaces critically.

It also highlights the role of families in digital governance. Where schools have not yet integrated media and information literacy into curricula, parents and caregivers often become the first line of support against misinformation, harmful content, cyberbullying, and AI-shaped information environments.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

OECD report highlights AI’s growing role in workforce training

AI is beginning to reshape how vocational education and training (VET) systems design qualifications, update curricula and respond to rapidly changing labour market demands, according to a new OECD report.

As economies undergo digital and green transitions, education authorities face growing pressure to ensure training programmes remain aligned with evolving workforce needs.

The report finds that AI is already being used across parts of the vocational education ecosystem to analyse labour market trends, identify emerging skills gaps, map competencies and support curriculum development.

Countries, including the Netherlands, Switzerland, Estonia and Germany, have launched pilot initiatives using AI tools to accelerate and improve qualification design and revision processes.

AI is also being explored as a mechanism for supporting modular learning pathways and micro-credentials in sectors experiencing rapid technological change.

Despite growing interest, the OECD stresses that AI adoption remains uneven and largely experimental. Most systems continue to rely on traditional governance structures involving employers, industry representatives, educators and public authorities.

Rather than replacing existing governance processes, AI is currently being used to support evidence gathering, stakeholder consultations and administrative functions. The organisation notes that countries with strong digital infrastructures and advanced labour market intelligence systems are better positioned to move from isolated pilots to broader implementation.

The report also warns that broader AI adoption could introduce new risks for vocational education systems. Concerns include biased outputs, poor data quality, reduced transparency, cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the possibility of weakening collaborative decision-making.

To address these challenges, the OECD argues that AI deployment must remain human-centred and operate within robust governance frameworks. Maintaining accountability, ensuring stakeholder participation and protecting data integrity will be critical as governments increasingly integrate AI into education and workforce development policies.

Why does it matter?

Vocational education systems play a critical role in preparing workers for changing labour markets. As digitalisation, automation and the green transition reshape skills demand, governments are looking for ways to update qualifications and training programmes more quickly. The OECD report suggests that AI could help education systems identify emerging workforce needs, improve labour market intelligence and make curriculum development more responsive.

At the same time, the report highlights that technological innovation alone is unlikely to solve skills challenges. The effectiveness of AI in vocational education will depend on strong governance, reliable data, stakeholder participation and human oversight. How governments balance efficiency gains with transparency, accountability and trust could shape the future of workforce development and lifelong learning policies.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!