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Greece and the European Commission strengthen AI cooperation for public services

Greece and the European Commission have reinforced cooperation on AI through a conference held during the BEYOND 2026 exhibition, bringing together policymakers, academics, technology experts and citizens to discuss the future of AI in Europe.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Dimitris Papastergiou emphasised the importance of responsible and innovative AI adoption to improve public services, drive digital transformation and strengthen Greece’s competitiveness.

European Commission Director-General for Translation Christos Ellinides outlined the EU’s approach to AI, highlighting initiatives that support innovation, multilingualism and digital transformation across member states.

Commission experts presented AI-powered multilingual services and digital tools designed to improve communication, accessibility and collaboration across the European Union. Discussions also explored the opportunities and challenges associated with AI deployment, while emphasising the importance of maintaining a human-centric approach to technological development.

The conference concluded with calls for closer cooperation between European institutions and national authorities to develop reliable, secure and human-centric AI systems. Organisers said the initiative reflects Greece’s commitment to advancing digital transformation and strengthening its role within the emerging European AI ecosystem.

Why does it matter?

The conference highlights how AI policy in Europe is increasingly being shaped through cooperation between EU institutions and national governments. As countries seek to deploy AI across public services, education and digital infrastructure, coordination will be important for ensuring interoperability, trust and compliance with European regulatory frameworks.

The event also reflects Europe’s broader approach to AI governance, which aims to balance innovation with safeguards related to transparency, security and fundamental rights. By promoting multilingual AI tools, citizen-centred services and cross-border collaboration, initiatives such as this support the EU’s wider objectives of digital sovereignty, competitiveness and inclusive digital transformation.

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Asian Development Bank launches digital transformation strategy focused on AI and inclusion

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a new digital transformation strategy aimed at helping countries across Asia and the Pacific harness AI and digital technologies while protecting vulnerable groups from associated risks.

According to ADB, the strategy will run from 2026 to 2030 and focus on expanding digital connectivity, strengthening digital skills, enhancing cybersecurity and privacy protections, improving data governance and promoting the responsible use of AI.

The bank said it will support the development of digital infrastructure, secure and interoperable systems, and measures to ensure that underserved communities can benefit from digital technologies.

ADB said it will also convene governments, private-sector actors and development partners to mobilise financing, share expertise and accelerate digital technologies initiatives across the regions.

Why does it matter?

The strategy reflects the growing recognition that digital transformation is becoming a key driver of economic development, public-sector modernisation and social inclusion. As AI, digital platforms and data-driven services become more important to competitiveness, countries with stronger digital infrastructure, skills and governance frameworks are likely to be better positioned to capture their benefits.

The initiative also highlights the need to balance innovation with safeguards. Expanding access to AI and digital technologies can create opportunities for growth and service delivery, but it also raises challenges related to cybersecurity, privacy, digital inequality and responsible AI governance. By combining investment in infrastructure with support for digital skills and governance, ADB is positioning digital transformation as both a development priority and a policy challenge for the region.

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OECD publishes AI literacy framework for schools

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a new report, ‘Empowering Learners for the Age of AI‘, outlining an AI literacy framework for primary and secondary education.

According to the OECD, AI is becoming increasingly embedded in everyday digital life and is influencing civic, professional and social outcomes. The organisation argues that education systems must equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to understand, evaluate and use AI responsibly.

The report defines AI literacy as a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable learners to understand how AI systems function, critically evaluate their outputs and use them ethically, responsibly and creatively.

The OECD said the framework outlines learning outcomes for primary and secondary students and is intended to support policymakers, educators, schools and families in fostering AI literacy both inside and outside the classroom. The report was published on 18 June 2026.

Why does it matter?

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into education, work, public services and everyday life, AI literacy is emerging as a foundational skill alongside traditional digital literacy. Understanding how AI systems operate, where their limitations lie and how their outputs should be evaluated will be important for informed participation in society and the economy.

The OECD framework also reflects a broader policy shift from focusing solely on access to technology toward developing the skills needed to use AI responsibly and critically. By providing a common reference point for educators and policymakers, the framework could help shape future curricula, teacher training programmes and national education strategies aimed at preparing students for an AI-enabled world.

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UNESCO backs new initiative against online hate speech

Organisations and experts in Kyrgyzstan have launched the country’s first multistakeholder coalition focused on online harmful content and content moderation, with support from UNESCO and the European Union.

The Aikyn Sanarip coalition was launched in Bishkek on 17 June, ahead of the UN International Day for Countering Hate Speech. It brings together civil society, media representatives, government bodies, academics, international organisations and bloggers.

UNESCO said the coalition will provide a platform for dialogue on freedom of expression, digital rights, online safety and greater accountability from digital platforms.

The launch also featured the first national study on freedom of expression and content moderation in Kyrgyzstan. The research examines how hate speech spreads across digital platforms, how content is moderated in Kyrgyz-language digital spaces, and where legal and institutional gaps remain.

UNESCO said users in Kyrgyzstan increasingly encounter hate speech, disinformation and online harassment. At the same time, the country lacks a clear legal definition of hate speech, and mechanisms for addressing harmful content remain fragmented.

The European Union supported the forum under UNESCO’s Social Media 4 Peace project, which promotes multistakeholder responses to harmful online content while protecting freedom of expression.

Why does it matter?

The launch shows how online hate speech and harmful content are becoming governance issues beyond major platform markets. Kyrgyzstan’s new coalition links digital rights, online safety and platform accountability, while also highlighting a difficult balance: tackling hate speech and disinformation without undermining freedom of expression. The initiative may offer a model for multistakeholder responses in countries where legal frameworks and platform moderation practices remain underdeveloped.

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Ottawa strengthens role in quantum computing and cybersecurity research

Researchers and technology experts in Ottawa are contributing to advances in quantum computing, a technology that could transform fields such as drug discovery, clean energy and space exploration by solving highly complex problems beyond the reach of many conventional computers.

Researchers said quantum computing could accelerate scientific discovery and enable breakthroughs that may eventually translate into practical applications across a range of industries. However, the technology also presents significant cybersecurity challenges, as sufficiently advanced quantum computers could eventually undermine widely used encryption methods that protect digital communications and online services.

The University of Ottawa is conducting research into quantum communications and cryptography aimed at developing security technologies capable of withstanding future quantum-enabled threats. Researchers are working to better understand the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and future security systems.

Industry representatives said Ottawa’s concentration of cryptographic expertise has helped establish this city in Canada as an important centre for quantum cybersecurity research and innovation.

Why does it matter?

Quantum computing has the potential to become one of the most transformative technologies of the coming decades. Its ability to process certain types of complex calculations far more efficiently than conventional computers could accelerate advances in areas such as materials science, pharmaceuticals, energy systems and scientific research.

At the same time, quantum technologies present a major cybersecurity challenge. Many of today’s encryption systems were designed for classical computers and could become vulnerable to future quantum attacks. As a result, governments, universities and technology companies are investing in quantum-safe cryptography and secure communications. Ottawa’s growing role in quantum research reflects a broader international effort to prepare for both the opportunities and security implications of the quantum era.

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Anthropic and South Korea partner on AI safety and cybersecurity

Anthropic has opened an office in Seoul and announced a series of partnerships across South Korea’s AI ecosystem, alongside a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Science and ICT on AI safety.

The company said the Seoul office will serve as a long-term hub for collaboration with South Korean enterprises, startups, researchers and developers using Claude. Senior Anthropic leaders travelled to Seoul this week to open the office and meet partners, customers, and developers.

Anthropic said the MOU with South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT will support the safe and responsible adoption of AI across the public sector. The cooperation will focus on AI safety and cybersecurity, including Korean-language model safety evaluations with the Korea AI Safety Institute and information sharing on AI-enabled cyber threats.

KiYoung Choi, Representative Director of South Korea at Anthropic, said South Korean organisations understand that innovation and safety are linked. He said the Seoul office provides a long-term base for collaboration with organisations helping shape South Korea’s AI leadership.

Anthropic also highlighted broader adoption of Claude among South Korean companies. NAVER has deployed Claude Code across its engineering organisation, while Nexon engineering teams are using Claude Code to write, review, and ship code for live-service games.

Large South Korean business groups are also using Claude. LG CNS plans to deploy it across LG Group, Hanwha Solutions is using Claude through AWS Bedrock to meet in-region data residency and security requirements, and Samsung SDS is deploying Claude across Samsung Electronics for knowledge work, agentic workflows, and software development.

South Korean startups are also integrating Claude into products. Channel Corp uses Claude to power Channel Talk, a customer AI platform used by more than 230,000 companies across South Korea, Japan, and the United States.

Anthropic said it will also work with the National AI Research Lab, a consortium spanning KAIST, South Korea University, Yonsei University, and POSTECH. Anthropic will provide Claude access to up to 60 affiliated researchers to support work on AI safety, model evaluation, alignment, robustness and frontier AI research.

In the nonprofit sector, Good Neighbors Korea is deploying Claude to help staff analyse programme outcomes, navigate social welfare law and internal guidelines, and reduce administrative work for frontline social workers.

Anthropic said South Korea ranks among the top dozen countries globally for Claude.ai usage, with activity concentrated in technical and creative work. The company has launched Claude for Startups in South Korea and has held Claude Meetups for South Korean developers since September 2025.

The company also co-hosted Claude Build Day with BASS Ventures, bringing together more than 100 South Korean founders and developers. Anthropic will also co-host a Push to Prod hackathon with Replit, Korea Investment Partners, and Korea Investment Accelerator.

Why does it matter?

The announcement highlights South Korea’s growing importance in the global AI landscape. Beyond being a major market for AI products, the country is increasingly positioning itself as a centre for AI research, safety evaluation, enterprise adoption and public-sector deployment.

The expansion also illustrates how frontier AI companies are combining commercial growth with governance initiatives. Anthropic’s cooperation with the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea AI Safety Institute suggests that AI safety, cybersecurity and model evaluation are becoming integrated into broader ecosystem-building efforts. As competition among leading AI companies intensifies, partnerships that combine research, regulation, enterprise adoption and developer engagement are likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping national AI ecosystems.

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Spain backs AI gigafactory to boost European technological sovereignty

Spain has approved a €719 million investment in a national AI gigafactory project aimed at expanding advanced computing capacity and strengthening European technological sovereignty.

The investment was authorised by Spain’s Council of Ministers through the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service. The investment will be channelled through the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT), which will establish a public-private consortium to develop the project and submit a bid under a forthcoming European Commission call for AI gigafactories.

The government said the project is intended to expand European access to advanced computing resources, reduce technological dependencies and support AI development under European regulatory frameworks.

The planned Spanish bid will use a multi-site model, with locations in Móra la Nova in Tarragona and San Fernando de Henares in Madrid. The government said the AI gigafactory is designed as a large-scale industrial initiative and could become part of one of Europe’s main AI infrastructures.

Spain’s Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Service, Óscar López, said the investment supports technological sovereignty, reindustrialisation and leadership in reliable and sustainable AI. He argued that greater European access to advanced computing resources would accelerate innovation, support scientific research and enable public administrations to develop more advanced and secure digital services.

According to the government, AI gigafactories are specialised data centres designed to host hundreds of thousands of GPUs required to train and deploy advanced AI models. These include large language models and advanced computer vision systems.

The ministry said such facilities differ from conventional data centres because they are specialised for the large-scale computing capacity required by the next generation of AI. The ministry noted that infrastructure for training frontier AI models is currently dominated by US hyperscalers and, to a lesser extent, China’s domestic AI ecosystem.

Spain said the AI gigafactory project would support European efforts to build sovereign supercomputing hubs through EuroHPC, which includes the MareNostrum 5 supercomputer at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, and programmes such as PERTE Chip.

The government said an AI gigafactory would benefit startups, SMEs, large companies, universities, research centres and public administrations that need significant computing capacity to develop advanced AI. It would also allow the European ecosystem to train, test, and deploy AI models without depending entirely on foreign providers.

The project is structured through a public-private consortium whose composition is still being finalised. Spain said the scale of the initiative requires a combination of public leadership, industrial capabilities, financing and technological expertise.

The ministry said SETT’s participation will provide public strategic direction, coordination, and execution capacity. The operation also builds on Spain’s existing AI infrastructure ecosystem, including two AI Factories linked to EuroHPC: the Barcelona Supercomputing Center and the Galician Supercomputing Center, both supported by Spanish government funding.

Why does it matter?

The announcement reflects the growing importance of computing infrastructure in the global AI race. Access to large-scale compute resources has become a strategic requirement for training and deploying advanced AI systems, yet much of that capacity remains concentrated among a small number of US technology companies and, increasingly, Chinese providers.

Spain’s investment, therefore, goes beyond digital infrastructure. It forms part of a broader European effort to strengthen technological sovereignty, support domestic innovation ecosystems and reduce dependence on foreign AI platforms. If successful, the project could provide startups, research institutions, public administrations and businesses with greater access to advanced computing resources while reinforcing the EU’s ambitions to build a more competitive and autonomous AI ecosystem.

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INTERPOL report warns of rising cybercrime across Asia-Pacific

INTERPOL has published its 2025/2026 Asia and South Pacific Cyberthreat Assessment Report, covering the period from January 2024 to March 2025. The report documents a rise in cybercrime across the region, attributing the trend to expanding digital infrastructure, the adoption of new technologies and increasingly organised criminal networks.

More than half of the countries surveyed reported that cybercrime accounts for over 30% of all crimes recorded nationally. Phishing and related online scam techniques were identified as the most common and financially damaging forms of cybercrime, with 33 % of surveyed countries recorded over 10,000 such cases.

Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Director, said the findings demonstrate how cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting AI, ransomware-as-a-service models and sophisticated social engineering techniques. He noted that operational cooperation, information sharing, and cyber resilience are factors relevant to protecting communities and infrastructure as digital adoption in the region increases.

Growth in internet connectivity, mobile banking, cloud computing, and digital financial services has accompanied this cybercriminal activity, according to the report.

Survey respondents also highlighted challenges for law enforcement, including gaps in specialised forensic tools, cybercrime training and technical capacity. The report also notes differences in cybersecurity capacity across countries.

Some countries have established cybersecurity frameworks and institutional capabilities, while others, including developing countries and small island states, reported resource and capacity constraints.

The report identifies jurisdictions with fragmented enforcement structures, limited technical capabilities, and weaker legislation as more exposed to exploitation by cybercriminal actors.

The report was prepared through the Asia and South Pacific Joint Operations against Cybercrime (ASPJOC) project, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It draws on information submitted by 18 INTERPOL member countries in the Asia and South Pacific region, along with contributions from private sector partners, operational case studies, and analysis of emerging cyber threat trends.

It is one of several regional cyber threat assessments produced by INTERPOL, alongside similar reports covering regions such as Africa. The full report is available from INTERPOL.

Why does this matter?

The report highlights how cybercrime is becoming a major security, economic and governance challenge across Asia and the South Pacific. As countries expand digital infrastructure, online banking, cloud services and digital government initiatives, cybercriminals are finding new opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities and target individuals, businesses and critical sectors.

The findings also illustrate the growing role of AI in cyberspace. While organisations increasingly use AI to strengthen cybersecurity, threat actors are adopting the same technologies to enhance phishing campaigns, generate deepfakes and automate attacks. This accelerating technological competition underscores the importance of international cooperation, cyber capacity-building and information sharing to strengthen resilience across the region.

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UNESCO-backed initiative promotes AI skills and workforce innovation in East Africa

Nearly 1,000 students from across East Africa participated in the AI4EAC Innovation Challenge, a regional initiative designed to strengthen AI skills while encouraging practical solutions to local challenges.

Supported by UNESCO Campus Africa and several regional and international partners, the programme brought together students from 57 universities across East Africa.

One of the programme’s central themes was employment and workforce development through the Skills2Job Challenge. Participants were tasked with developing AI systems capable of identifying suitable occupations based on an individual’s skills profile.

Using data from UNESCO’s Global Skills Tracker, students developed machine-learning models aimed at improving career guidance, workforce mobility and skills-based hiring.

The winning projects explored different approaches to matching skills with labour market opportunities. Several participants argued that labour markets across Africa continue to place significant emphasis on formal qualifications, often overlooking transferable skills that could support employment across multiple sectors and industries.

UNESCO said the initiative demonstrates growing demand for AI skills across the region while highlighting the ability of young innovators to develop solutions tailored to local economic and social challenges.

The programme forms part of wider efforts to strengthen links between higher education, innovation ecosystems and employment opportunities throughout Africa.

Why does it matter?

The initiative highlights how AI can be applied to address practical development challenges, including the gap between education outcomes and labour market needs. By focusing on skills-based matching rather than formal qualifications alone, AI tools could help improve workforce mobility, career guidance and access to employment opportunities.

The programme also reflects the growing importance of AI capacity development across Africa. As governments, universities and businesses invest in digital transformation, building local AI talent and innovation ecosystems will be essential for ensuring that AI solutions are developed in ways that reflect regional priorities, economic realities and social needs.

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UNIDIR launches platform for AI peace and security policy

UNIDIR, Switzerland, and Pakistan will host a pre-launch briefing for the Institute’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security in Geneva on 17 June 2026.

The briefing will take place at the Palais des Nations ahead of the centre’s formal launch later the same day. It will bring together stakeholders involved in the governance of AI and international security.

U NIDIR said the Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security is being established at a critical moment for global AI governance, as AI increasingly reshapes international peace and security dynamics. The centre is intended to serve as a permanent platform for consolidating knowledge, connecting stakeholders and maintaining continuity between multilateral processes and global discussions on AI and international security.

The platform aims to promote greater continuity and coherence across international AI governance initiatives. It will also promote inclusive global engagement and provide practical, evidence-based policy guidance, resources, and capacity-building support.

According to UNIDIR, the goal is to strengthen international cooperation on the governance of AI in peace and security contexts, amid growing urgency and complexity.

The pre-launch briefing will introduce the centre as a platform for multistakeholder engagement and actionable knowledge generation. Participants will also be invited to express interest in supporting the centre, joining its Forum and contributing to future activities.

Speakers will include Dr Giacomo Persi Paoli, Head of UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme; Reto Wollenmann, Senior Advisor on AI and International Security at Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs; and Husham Ahmed, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN in Geneva.

The briefing will also include an overview of the centre’s governance structure and ways for states and other stakeholders to engage through its Forum. The event will be moderated by Dr Yasmin Afina, Researcher in UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme.

Why does it matter?

AI is becoming an increasingly important factor in international peace and security, influencing areas ranging from military applications and cyber operations to information integrity, crisis management and strategic stability. As discussions on AI governance expand across multiple international forums, there is growing demand for mechanisms that can provide continuity, expertise and coordination between policy processes.

The new UNIDIR centre seeks to fill that gap by creating a permanent platform for research, dialogue and capacity-building. By bringing together governments, international organisations, industry, academia and civil society, it could help promote more inclusive and evidence-based approaches to governing AI in security contexts, particularly for countries with limited resources or technical expertise.

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