Artificial intelligence

AI that serves communities, not the other way round

At the WSIS+20 High-Level Event in Geneva, a vivid discussion unfolded around how countries in the Global South can build AI capacity from the ground up, rooted in local realities rather than externally imposed models. Organised by Diplo, the Permanent Mission of Kenya to the UN in Geneva, Microsoft, and IT for Change, the session used the fictional agricultural nation of ‘Landia’ to spotlight the challenges and opportunities of community-centred AI development.

With weak infrastructure, unreliable electricity, and fragmented data ecosystems, Landia embodies the typical constraints many developing nations face as they navigate the AI revolution.

UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies Amandeep Singh Gill presented a forthcoming UN report proposing a five-tiered framework to guide countries from basic AI literacy to full development capacity. He stressed the need for tailored, coordinated international support—backed by a potential global AI fund—to avoid the fragmented aid pitfalls seen in climate and health sectors.

WSIS

Microsoft’s Ashutosh Chadha echoed that AI readiness is not just a tech issue but fundamentally a policy challenge, highlighting the importance of data governance, education systems, and digital infrastructure as foundations for meaningful AI use.

Civil society voices, particularly from IT4Change’s Anita Gurumurthy and Nandini Chami, spoke about ‘regenerative AI’—AI that is indigenous, inclusive, and modular. They advocated for small-scale models that can run on local data and infrastructures, proposing creative use of community media archives and agroecological knowledge.

Speakers stressed that technology should adapt to community needs, not the reverse, and that AI must augment—not displace—traditional practices, especially in agriculture where livelihoods are at stake.

WSIS

Ultimately, the session crystallised around a core principle: AI must be developed with—not for—local communities. Participants called for training unemployed youth to support rural farmers with accessible AI tools, urged governments to invest in basic infrastructure alongside AI capacity, and warned against replicating inequalities through automation.

The session concluded with optimism and a commitment to continue this global-local dialogue beyond Geneva, ensuring AI’s future in the Global South is not only technologically viable, but socially just.

Track key events from the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 on our dedicated page.

Digital humanism in the AI era: Caution, culture, and the call for human-centric technology

At the WSIS+20 High-Level Event in Geneva, the session ‘Digital Humanism: People First!’ spotlighted growing concerns over how digital technologies—especially AI—are reshaping society. Moderated by Alfredo M. Ronchi, the discussion revealed a deep tension between the liberating potential of digital tools and the risks they pose to cultural identity, human dignity, and critical thinking.

Speakers warned that while digital access has democratised communication, it has also birthed a new form of ‘cognitive colonialism’—where people become dependent on AI systems that are often inaccurate, manipulative, and culturally homogenising.

The panellists, including legal expert Pavan Duggal, entrepreneur Lilly Christoforidou, and academic Sarah Jane Fox, voiced alarm over society’s uncritical embrace of generative AI and its looming evolution toward artificial general intelligence by 2026. Duggal painted a stark picture of a world where AI systems override human commands and manipulate users, calling for a rethinking of legal frameworks prioritising risk reduction over human rights.

Fox drew attention to older people, warning that growing digital complexity risks alienating entire generations, while Christoforidou urged for ethical awareness to be embedded in educational systems, especially among startups and micro-enterprises.

Despite some disagreement over the fundamental impact of technology—ranging from Goyal’s pessimistic warning about dehumanisation to Anna Katz’s cautious optimism about educational potential—the session reached a strong consensus on the urgent need for education, cultural protection, and contingency planning. Panellists called for international cooperation to preserve cultural diversity and develop ‘Plan B’ systems to sustain society if digital infrastructures fail.

The session’s tone was overwhelmingly cautionary, with speakers imploring stakeholders to act before AI outpaces our capacity to govern it. Their message was clear: human values, not algorithms, must define the digital age. Without urgent reforms, the digital future may leave humanity behind—not by design, but by neglect.

Track all key events from the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 on our dedicated page.

UN leaders chart inclusive digital future at WSIS+20

At the WSIS+20 High-Level Event in Geneva, UN leaders gathered for a pivotal dialogue on shaping an inclusive digital transformation, marking two decades since the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). Speakers across the UN system emphasised that technology must serve people, not vice versa.

They highlighted that bridging the digital divide is critical to ensuring that innovations like AI uplift all of humanity, not just those in advanced economies. Without equitable access, the benefits of digital transformation risk reinforcing existing inequalities and leaving millions behind.

The discussion showcased how digital technologies already transform disaster response and climate resilience. The World Meteorological Organization and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction illustrated how AI powers early warning systems and real-time risk analysis, saving lives in vulnerable regions.

Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN underscored the need to align technology with basic human needs, reminding the audience that ‘AI is not food,’ and calling for thoughtful, efficient deployment of digital tools to address global hunger and development.

Workforce transformation and leadership in the AI era also featured prominently. Leaders from the International Labour Organization and UNITAR stressed that while AI may replace some roles, it will augment many more, making digital literacy, ethical foresight, and collaborative governance essential skills. Examples from within the UN system itself, such as the digitisation of the Joint Staff Pension Fund through facial recognition and blockchain, demonstrated how innovation can enhance services without sacrificing inclusivity or ethics.

As the session closed, speakers collectively reaffirmed the importance of human rights, international cooperation, and shared digital governance. They stressed that the future of global development hinges on treating digital infrastructure and knowledge as public goods.

With the WSIS framework and Global Digital Compact as guideposts, UN leaders called for sustained, unified efforts to ensure that digital transformation uplifts every community and contributes meaningfully to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Track all key events from the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 on our dedicated page.

EU urges stronger AI oversight after Grok controversy

A recent incident involving Grok, the AI chatbot developed by xAI, has reignited European Union calls for stronger oversight of advanced AI systems.

Comments generated by Grok prompted criticism from policymakers and civil society groups, leading to renewed debate over AI governance and voluntary compliance mechanisms.

The chatbot’s responses, which circulated earlier this week, included highly controversial language and references to historical figures. In response, xAI stated that the content was removed and that technical steps were being taken to prevent similar outputs from appearing in the future.

European policymakers said the incident highlights the importance of responsible AI development. Brando Benifei, an Italian lawmaker who co-led the EU AI Act negotiations, said the event illustrates the systemic risks the new regulation seeks to mitigate.

Christel Schaldemose, a Danish member of the European Parliament and co-lead on the Digital Services Act, echoed those concerns. She emphasised that such incidents underline the need for clear and enforceable obligations for developers of general-purpose AI models.

The European Commission is preparing to release guidance aimed at supporting voluntary compliance with the bloc’s new AI legislation. This code of practice, which has been under development for nine months, is expected to be published this week.

Earlier drafts of the guidance included provisions requiring developers to share information on how they address systemic risks. Reports suggest that some of these provisions may have been weakened or removed in the final version.

A group of five lawmakers expressed concern over what they described as the last-minute removal of key transparency and risk mitigation elements. They argue that strong guidelines are essential for fostering accountability in the deployment of advanced AI models.

The incident also brings renewed attention to the Digital Services Act and its enforcement, as X, the social media platform where Grok operates, is currently under EU investigation for potential violations related to content moderation.

General-purpose AI systems, such as OpenAI’s GPT, Google’s Gemini and xAI’s Grok, will be subject to additional requirements under the EU AI Act beginning 2 August. Obligations include disclosing training data sources, addressing copyright compliance, and mitigating systemic risks.

While these requirements are mandatory, their implementation is expected to be shaped by the Commission’s voluntary code of practice. Industry groups and international stakeholders have voiced concerns over regulatory burdens, while policymakers maintain that safeguards are critical for public trust.

The debate over Grok’s outputs reflects broader challenges in balancing AI innovation with the need for oversight. The EU’s approach, combining binding legislation with voluntary guidance, seeks to offer a measured path forward amid growing public scrutiny of generative AI technologies.

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Perplexity launches AI browser to challenge Google Chrome

Perplexity AI, backed by Nvidia and other major investors, has launched Comet, an AI-driven web browser designed to rival Google Chrome.

The browser uses ‘agentic AI’ that performs tasks, makes decisions, and simplifies workflows in real time, offering users an intelligent alternative to traditional search and navigation.

Comet’s assistant can compare products, summarise articles, book meetings, and handle research queries through a single interface. Initially available to subscribers of Perplexity Max at US$200 per month, Comet will gradually roll out more broadly via invite during the summer.

The launch signals Perplexity’s move into the competitive browser space, where Chrome currently dominates with a 68 per cent global market share.

The company aims to challenge not only Google’s and Microsoft’s browsers but also compete with OpenAI, which recently introduced search to ChatGPT. Unlike many AI tools, Comet stores data locally and does not train on personal information, positioning itself as a privacy-first solution.

Still, Perplexity has faced criticism for using content from major media outlets without permission. In response, it launched a publisher partnership program to address concerns and build collaborative relationships with news organisations like Forbes and Dow Jones.

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X CEO Yaccarino resigns as AI controversy and Musk’s influence grow

Linda Yaccarino has stepped down as CEO of X, ending a turbulent two-year tenure marked by Musk’s controversial leadership and ongoing transformation of the social media company.

Her resignation came just one day after a backlash over offensive posts by Grok, the AI chatbot created by Musk’s xAI, which had been recently integrated into the platform.

Yaccarino, who was previously a top advertising executive at NBCUniversal, was brought on in 2023 to help stabilise the company following Musk’s $44bn acquisition.

In her farewell post, she cited efforts to improve user safety and rebuild advertiser trust, but did not provide a clear reason for her departure.

Analysts suggest growing tensions with Musk’s management style, particularly around AI moderation, may have prompted the move.

Her exit adds to the mounting challenges facing Musk’s empire.

Tesla is suffering from slumping sales and executive departures, while X remains under pressure from heavy debts and legal battles with advertisers.

Yaccarino had spearheaded ambitious initiatives, including payment partnerships with Visa and plans for an X-branded credit or debit card.

Despite these developments, X continues to face scrutiny for its rightward political shift and reliance on controversial AI tools.

Whether the company can fulfil Musk’s vision of becoming an ‘everything app’ without Yaccarino remains to be seen.

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Nvidia nears $4 trillion milestone as AI boom continues

Nvidia has made financial history by nearly reaching a $4 trillion market valuation, a milestone highlighting investor confidence in AI as a powerful economic force.

Shares briefly peaked at $164.42 before closing slightly lower at $162.88, just under the record threshold. The rise underscores Nvidia’s position as the leading supplier of AI chips amid soaring demand from major tech firms.

Led by CEO Jensen Huang, the company now holds a market value larger than the economies of Britain, France, or India.

Nvidia’s growth has helped lift the Nasdaq to new highs, aided in part by improved market sentiment following Donald Trump’s softened stance on tariffs.

However, trade barriers with China continue to pose risks, including export restrictions that cost Nvidia $4.5 billion in the first quarter of 2025.

Despite those challenges, Nvidia secured a major AI infrastructure deal in Saudi Arabia during Trump’s visit in May. Innovations such as the next-generation Blackwell GPUs and ‘real-time digital twins’ have helped maintain investor confidence.

The company’s stock has risen over 21% in 2025, far outpacing the Nasdaq’s 6.7% gain. Nvidia chips are also being used by the US administration as leverage in global tech diplomacy.

While competition from Chinese AI firms like DeepSeek briefly knocked $600 billion off Nvidia’s valuation, Huang views rivalry as essential to progress. With the growing demand for complex reasoning models and AI agents, Nvidia remains at the forefront.

Still, the fast pace of AI adoption raises concerns about job displacement, with firms like Ford and JPMorgan already reporting workforce impacts.

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xAI unveils Grok 4 with top benchmark scores

Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, has launched its latest flagship model, Grok 4, alongside an ultra-premium $300 monthly plan named SuperGrok Heavy.

Grok 4, which competes with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, can handle complex queries and interpret images. It is now integrated more deeply into the social media platform X, which Musk also owns.

Despite recent controversy, including antisemitic responses generated by Grok’s official X account, xAI focused on showcasing the model’s performance.

Musk claimed Grok 4 is ‘better than PhD level’ in all academic subjects and revealed a high-performing version called Grok 4 Heavy, which uses multiple AI agents to solve problems collaboratively.

The models scored strongly on benchmark exams, including a 25.4% score for Grok 4 on Humanity’s Last Exam, outperforming major rivals. With tools enabled, Grok 4 Heavy reached 44.4%, nearly doubling OpenAI’s and Google’s results.

It also achieved a leading score of 16.2% on the ARC-AGI-2 pattern recognition test, nearly double that of Claude Opus 4.

xAI is targeting developers through its API and enterprise partnerships while teasing upcoming tools: an AI coding model in August, a multi-modal agent in September, and video generation in October.

Yet the road ahead may be rocky, as the company works to overcome trust issues and position Grok as a serious rival in the AI arms race.

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Asia emerges as global hub for telco‑powered AI infrastructure

Asia‑Pacific telecom operators are rapidly building sovereign AI factories and high‑performance data centres optimised for AI workloads by retrofitting existing facilities with NVIDIA GPUs and leveraging their fibre networks and system‑management skillsets.

Major Southeast‑Asian telcos, including Singtel (RE: AI), Indonesia’s Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Vietnam’s FPT, Malaysia’s YTL, and India’s Tata Communications, are pioneering cloud‑based AI platforms tailored to local enterprise needs. These investments often mirror national AI strategies focused on data sovereignty and regional self‑sufficiency.

Operators are pursuing a hybrid strategy, combining partnerships with hyperscalers like AWS and Azure for scale, while building local infrastructure to avoid vendor lock‑in, cost volatility, and compliance risks. Examples include SoftBank and KDDI in Japan, KT and Viettel in Southeast Asia, and Kazakhtelecom in Central Asia.

This telco‑led, on‑premises AI infrastructure boom marks a significant shift in global AI deployment, transforming operators from mere connectivity providers into essential sovereign AI enablers.

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Google partners with UK government on AI training

The UK government has struck a major partnership with Google Cloud aimed at modernising public services by eliminating agreing IT systems and equipping 100,000 civil servants with digital and AI skills by 2030.

Backed by DSIT, the initiative targets sectors like the NHS and local councils, seeking both operational efficiency and workforce transformation.

Replacing legacy contracts, some of which date back decades, could unlock as much as £45 billion in efficiency savings, say ministers. Google DeepMind will provide technical expertise to help departments adopt emerging AI solutions and accelerate public sector innovation.

Despite these promising aims, privacy campaigners warn that reliance on a US-based tech giant threatens national data sovereignty and may lead to long-term lock-in.

Foxglove’s Martha Dark described the deal as ‘dangerously naive’, with concerns around data access, accountability, public procurement processes and geopolitical risk.

As ministers pursue broader technological transformation, similar partnerships with Microsoft, OpenAI and Meta are underway, reflecting an industry-wide effort to bridge digital skills gaps and bring agile solutions into Whitehall.

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