Artificial intelligence Archives | Page 30 of 660

UN-organised event to address challenges in government AI capacity-building

A side event during the 11th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs will examine how governments can strengthen internal AI capacity as AI becomes more central to public administration, regulation, and digital development.

The event is being organised by UNU-CPR, UNU-CRIS, UNDP, and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, with support from Japan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Organisers said governments are facing a dual challenge of regulating AI systems while building internal expertise to understand, manage, and deploy them in the public interest.

The concept note says countries are increasingly creating dedicated AI units, appointing Chief AI Officers, and embedding technical experts in ministries and regulatory bodies, while disparities in access to resources and expertise continue to shape how capacity-building develops across regions.

The event will also address concerns about AI security and misuse of technology. Organisers highlighted risks including misinformation, cyber-enabled manipulation, and automated disinformation campaigns, and said that countries with more limited institutional and technical capacity may face disproportionate exposure.

The discussion is intended to contribute to wider debates on responsible and inclusive AI governance under the Global Digital Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals by identifying institutional models, lessons learned, and opportunities for cross-regional cooperation on building government AI capacity.

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World Economic Forum report highlights growing role of AI in cybersecurity operations

A World Economic Forum white paper (Empowering Defenders: AI for Cybersecurity), developed with KPMG, states that AI is becoming a core capability for modern cybersecurity. The report notes that attackers are using AI to increase speed, scale and sophistication, while defenders are also adopting AI to improve detection, response and resilience.

The report describes how AI is being used across the cybersecurity lifecycle, from cyber governance and risk identification to threat detection, incident response and recovery. Case studies from major organisations highlight applications in phishing detection, vulnerability management, malware analysis, threat intelligence and automated security reviews.

WEF report also states that effective adoption depends on more than technology investment. Organisations need executive support, reliable data, skilled teams, mature infrastructure and clear governance before deploying AI in critical security operations.

The report also highlights the rise of agentic AI, where autonomous systems can detect, coordinate and respond to threats with limited human intervention. It adds that while these systems could help defenders act faster, they may also introduce risks related to accountability, unintended behaviour and over-reliance on automation.

Why does it matter?

The central message of the report is that AI can strengthen cyber defence only when paired with human judgement, structured pilots, continuous monitoring and clear safeguards. Without these foundations, organisations risk creating fragile systems instead of resilient ones.

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Panthalassa raises $140m to develop wave-powered AI computing

Panthalassa has raised $140 million in a Series B funding round led by investor Peter Thiel to advance technology that uses ocean wave energy to power AI computing systems.

According to the company, the funding will support the development of offshore nodes that generate electricity from wave energy and run AI computing onboard. Data from these systems is transmitted via low-Earth-orbit satellites.

Panthalassa said the initiative responds to increasing demand for computing capacity and constraints faced by terrestrial data centres, including electricity supply, cooling requirements, and infrastructure limitations.

The company stated that its systems operate in offshore environments and use locally generated energy to power computing equipment, with ocean conditions providing cooling.

Panthalassa has previously deployed prototype systems and said the new funding will support completion of a pilot manufacturing facility and deployment of additional nodes, with commercial operations targeted for 2027.

Investor Peter Thiel said the approach expands computing infrastructure beyond traditional locations, while company representatives described the technology as a potential source of clean energy for AI systems.

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Greece and the EU discuss space strategy and digital infrastructure cooperation

The Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, Dimitris Papastergiou, met European Union Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, to discuss Greece’s expanding role in space technologies, digital infrastructure and European defence cooperation.

Talks focused on national space policy, including satellite programmes, telecommunications systems and quantum communications, alongside projects funded through the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The meeting followed Greece’s recent launch of thermal satellites, which Greek authorities said support civil protection and climate monitoring capabilities.

Greek authorities said investments in satellite applications and digital infrastructure are intended to support public services, economic growth and technological development. They added that the country’s role as a connectivity hub, particularly through submarine fibre optic cables, is a strategic advantage for Europe.

Both sides said space technologies are important for advancing AI, Earth observation and secure communications. They also underlined the need for stronger European cooperation to enhance resilience, innovation and strategic autonomy.

The meeting also aligned with preparations for the upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU for Greece, where space policy is expected to be among the priorities.

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Cybercrime communities face skills gap despite rise of AI tools

A major study by researchers from the universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Strathclyde, published by the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security at the Alan Turing Institute, suggests cybercriminals are still struggling to use AI effectively in their operations despite widespread attention around tools such as ChatGPT.

Researchers analysed more than 100 million posts from underground and dark web forums to assess how AI is being adopted within cybercrime communities.

The research, carried out by the universities of Edinburgh, Strathclyde, and Cambridge using the CrimeBB database, found that most offenders lack the technical skills and resources needed to integrate AI into criminal activity. Rather than lowering barriers to entry, AI tools benefit already skilled actors far more than inexperienced ones.

The analysis shows AI is used most successfully in already highly automated areas, such as social media bots linked to harassment and fraud, as well as in efforts to mask patterns that cybersecurity systems might otherwise detect. While experimentation is increasing, the researchers found little sign that AI is delivering a broad or transformative boost to overall cybercriminal capability. Mainstream chatbot guardrails were also found to be limiting harmful use in practice.

The researchers argue that the more immediate concern for industry is not dramatic AI-enabled innovation among cybercriminals, but insecure adoption of AI within legitimate organisations. They point to risks from poorly secured agentic AI systems and from AI-generated ‘vibecoded’ software being deployed without adequate safeguards.

Why does it matter?

The findings challenge a common assumption that generative AI is already giving cybercriminals a major operational advantage. Instead, the more immediate and scalable risk may come from companies deploying insecure AI systems faster than they can secure them. That shifts attention away from worst-case speculation about criminal innovation and towards a more practical cyber policy question: whether organisations are introducing new AI-enabled vulnerabilities into mainstream digital infrastructure.

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UNDP supports AI training for Tajikistan parliament members

The United Nations Development Programme has supported training sessions for members of the Parliament of Tajikistan, focusing on AI and modern digital tools. The initiative aims to strengthen legislative processes and institutional capacity.

Discussions covered AI use in policymaking, legislative analysis and public engagement, alongside topics such as strategic planning and anti corruption measures. The UNDP sessions brought together parliamentarians and staff to share international and national experience.

Officials highlighted that AI can support evidence based decision making and improve efficiency, while requiring attention to transparency, ethics and accountability. Cooperation with UNDP was described as key to adapting global best practices.

The programme includes an ongoing needs assessment to identify priorities for further development and institutional strengthening. The activities are being carried out with UNDP support in Tajikistan.

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Kazakhstan government reviews plans to expand AI across sectors under digital strategy

The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan has reviewed plans to expand AI across all sectors under the proposed Digital Qazaqstan strategy. The initiative aims to drive long-term economic modernisation through digital technologies.

Officials highlighted AI as a key tool for improving productivity, industrial safety and economic planning. The strategy also focuses on strengthening infrastructure, including computing capacity and data systems.

The government stressed the need for better data access, investment incentives and stronger private sector involvement. Measures will also target skills development and support for smaller businesses adopting AI.

Authorities said AI could enhance forecasting and policy effectiveness, but that safeguards for personal data and intellectual property are required. The strategy is being developed and implemented in Kazakhstan.

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US Federal Reserve highlights AI risks and benefits in the banking system

A US Federal Reserve speech highlights the growing role of AI and emerging technologies in the banking sector and notes that they introduce new risks alongside potential benefits. The remarks stress the need for regulators to closely monitor these developments.

The speech notes that AI could affect areas such as risk management, decision-making and operational processes within financial institutions. It emphasises that rapid adoption may outpace existing oversight frameworks.

Officials said supervision and governance are important to ensure AI is used responsibly. Banks are expected to manage risks effectively while maintaining transparency and accountability in their use of technology.

The Federal Reserve said adapting regulatory approaches will be essential to address technological change while preserving financial stability. The speech was delivered as part of policy discussions in the US.

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World Economic Forum study shows AI moving towards integrated technology ecosystems

A new World Economic Forum report outlines how organisations can scale AI by integrating it with other emerging technologies rather than treating it in isolation. The report describes a shift towards convergence as a key driver of long-term competitive advantage.

The updated ‘3C Framework’ – Combination, Convergence and Compounding – is now described as an interconnected system where capabilities reinforce each other.

The report notes that AI is increasingly being deployed alongside robotics, advanced materials, and energy systems, enabling more complex and adaptive solutions across industries such as healthcare and infrastructure.

Market developments underline both opportunity and pressure points, the report also notes. Rising AI-driven energy consumption is placing strain on power systems, while leading technology firms are promoting open-proprietary model ecosystems designed to improve collaboration across AI systems.

At the same time, regulatory efforts in the European Union are refining rules on AI-generated content to balance innovation with compliance.

Broader industry discussions continue to focus on governance, safety risks, and organisational readiness, it is stated in the report. Concerns over AI-enabled cybercrime and fraud are rising, while experts stress that successful adoption depends on cultural and operational shifts, not just technology.

Why does it matter?

The report suggests that the convergence of AI with other technologies matters because it shifts innovation from standalone systems to interconnected ecosystems that shape entire industries, from healthcare to energy.

As AI becomes embedded in critical infrastructure, its impact increasingly depends on governance, coordination, and resource capacity rather than technology alone, making institutional readiness a key factor in competitiveness and resilience.

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Papua New Guinea plans AI framework centred on data sovereignty and legislation

Papua New Guinea’s Department of Information and Communications Technology has outlined a national approach to AI focused on data sovereignty, trusted public infrastructure, and new legislation.

Speaking at Media Summit 2026, Secretary Steven Matainaho described the government’s AI approach as a framework expressed as Digital Government multiplied by Digital Public Infrastructure to the power of AI. Matainaho said the model is intended to replace fragmented ICT projects with a coordinated national system bringing together connectivity, computing, data, digital public infrastructure, and AI capability.

He said the strategy is intended to ensure AI is deployed through trusted national platforms such as SevisPass and in ways that remain secure, interoperable, and respectful of Papua New Guinea’s cultural context. He also identified four main elements of the framework:

Strengthening existing digital foundations such as SevisPass and SevisDEx
Establishing a National AI Register
Adopting sovereign data governance
Introducing new laws, including a National Artificial Intelligence Act and a Data Governance and Protection Act.

He warned that reliance on foreign-trained AI models without a sovereign framework could misrepresent Pacific cultures, particularly where knowledge remains oral and community-based. The aim, he argued, is to shift from dependence on external models towards locally developed systems better suited to national and cultural needs.

Looking ahead to the 2027 election cycle, Matainaho said the department aims to establish a shared verification standard for government and media in Papua New Guinea. He said that the approach is intended to ‘protect the sovereign aspects of our national data’ and ensure that technology serves the public rather than allowing external algorithms to shape ‘our narrative.’

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