Cloud computing Archives | Page 13 of 59 | Digital Watch Observatory

Cloudflare expands open-source strategy with Astro framework team

The team behind the Astro web framework is joining Cloudflare, strengthening long-term support for open-source tools used to build fast, content-driven websites.

Major brands and developers widely use Astro to create pages that load quickly by limiting the amount of JavaScript that runs during initial rendering, improving performance and search visibility.

Cloudflare said Astro will remain open source and continue to be developed independently, ensuring long-term stability for the framework and its global user community.

Astro’s creators said the move will allow faster development and broader infrastructure support, while keeping the framework available to developers regardless of hosting provider.

The company added that Astro already underpins platforms such as Webflow and Wix, and that recent updates have expanded runtime support and improved build speeds.

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

EU revises Cybersecurity Act to streamline certification

The European Commission plans to revise the Cybersecurity Act to expand certification schemes beyond ICT products and services. Future assessments would also cover companies’ overall risk-management posture, including governance and supply-chain practices.

Only one EU-wide scheme, the Common Criteria framework, has been formally adopted since 2019. Cloud, 5G, and digital identity certifications remain stalled due to procedural complexity and limited transparency under the current Cybersecurity Act framework.

The reforms aim to introduce clearer rules and a rolling work programme to support long-term planning. Managed security services, including incident response and penetration testing, would become eligible for EU certification.

ENISA would take on a stronger role as the central technical coordinator across member states. Additional funding and staff would be required to support its expanding mandate under the newer cybersecurity laws.

Stakeholders broadly support harmonisation to reduce administrative burden and regulatory fragmentation. The European Commission says organisational certification would assess cybersecurity maturity alongside technical product compliance.

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

MIT advances cooling for scalable quantum chips

MIT researchers have demonstrated a faster, more energy-efficient cooling technique for scalable trapped-ion quantum chips. The solution addresses a long-standing challenge in reducing vibration-related errors that limit the performance of quantum systems.

The method uses integrated photonic chips with nanoscale antennas that emit tightly controlled light beams. Using polarisation-gradient cooling, the system cools ions to nearly ten times below standard laser limits, and does so much faster.

Unlike conventional trapped-ion systems that depend on bulky external optics, the chip-based design generates stable light patterns directly on the device. The stability improves accuracy and supports scaling to thousands of ions on a single chip.

Researchers say the breakthrough lays the groundwork for more reliable quantum operations and opens new possibilities for advanced ion control, bringing practical, large-scale quantum computing closer to reality.

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

Samsara turns operational data into real-world impact

Samsara has built a platform that helps companies with physical operations run more safely and efficiently. Founded in 2015 by MIT alumni John Bicket and Sanjit Biswas, the company connects workers, vehicles, and equipment through cloud-based analytics.

The platform combines sensors, AI cameras, GPS tracking, and real-time alerts to cut accidents, fuel use, and maintenance costs. Large companies across logistics, construction, manufacturing, and energy report cost savings and improved safety after adopting the system.

Samsara turns large volumes of operational data into actionable insights for frontline workers and managers. Tools like driver coaching, predictive maintenance, and route optimisation reduce risk at scale while recognising high-performing field workers.

The company is expanding its use of AI to manage weather risk, support sustainability, and enable the adoption of electric fleets. They position data-driven decision-making as central to modernising critical infrastructure worldwide.

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

Saying ‘please’ to ChatGPT doesn’t change its energy footprint

Claims that removing polite words from ChatGPT prompts could reduce environmental impact are misleading, experts say. Extra words add minimal processing demand compared with overall system energy use.

AI consumes power mainly because every query triggers new computation. Unlike stored digital content, each AI response requires a full processing cycle within large-scale data centres.

Those facilities rely on constant electricity, cooling and water supplies. Rising AI use is therefore increasing pressure on energy systems and local infrastructure worldwide.

Experts argue the real issue lies in how AI infrastructure is planned and regulated. Focusing on prompt wording distracts from managing AI’s long-term environmental footprint.

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

IBM launches software focused on digital sovereignty and AI

The tech giant, IBM, has announced IBM Sovereign Core, a new software offering designed to help organisations deploy and manage AI-ready environments under sovereign control.

The product addresses growing regulatory and governance requirements as enterprises and governments seek greater authority over data, infrastructure and AI operations.

Digital sovereignty, according to IBM, extends beyond where data is stored and includes who controls systems, how access is governed and under which jurisdiction AI workloads operate.

IBM Sovereign Core is positioned as a foundational software layer that embeds sovereignty into operations instead of applying controls after deployment.

Built on Red Hat’s open-source technologies, the software enables customer-operated control planes, in-jurisdiction identity management and continuous compliance reporting. AI workloads, including inference and model hosting, can be governed locally without exporting data to external providers.

IBM plans to offer the software across on-premises environments, in-region cloud infrastructure and through selected service providers.

A technology preview is expected to begin in February, with full general availability planned for mid-2026.

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

Next-generation Siri will use Google’s Gemini AI model

Apple and Google have confirmed a multi-year partnership that will see Google’s Gemini models powering Siri and future Apple Intelligence features. The collaboration will underpin Apple’s next-generation AI models, with updates coming later this year.

The move follows delays in rolling out Siri upgrades first unveiled at WWDC 2024. While most Apple Intelligence features have already been launched, the redesigned Siri has been postponed due to development taking longer than anticipated.

According to reports, Apple will continue using its own models for specific tasks, while Gemini is expected to handle summarisation, planning, and other advanced functions.

Bloomberg reports the upcoming Siri will be structured around three layers: query planning, knowledge retrieval, and summarisation. Gemini will handle planning and summarisation, helping Siri structure responses and create clear summaries.

Knowledge retrieval may also benefit from Gemini, potentially broadening Siri’s general knowledge capabilities beyond its current hand-off system.

All AI processing will operate on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute platform, ensuring user privacy and keeping data secure. Analysts suggest this integration will embed Gemini more deeply into Siri’s core functionality, rather than serving as a supplementary tool.

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

Claude expands into healthcare and life sciences

Healthcare and life sciences organisations face increasing administrative pressure, fragmented systems, and rapidly evolving research demands. At the same time, regulatory compliance, safety, and trust remain critical requirements across all clinical and scientific operations.

Anthropic has launched new tools and connectors for Claude in Microsoft Foundry to support enterprise-scale AI workflows. Built on Azure’s secure infrastructure, the platform promotes responsible integration across data, compliance, and workflow automation environments.

The new capabilities are designed specifically for healthcare and life sciences use cases, including prior authorisation review, claims appeals processing, care coordination, and patient triage.

In research and development, the tools support protocol drafting, regulatory submissions, bioinformatics analysis, and experimental design.

According to Anthropic, the updates build on significant improvements in Claude’s underlying models, delivering stronger performance in areas such as scientific interpretation, computational biology, and protein understanding.

The aim is to enable faster, more reliable decision-making across regulated, real-world workflows.

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

Taiwan aims to train 500,000 AI professionals

Taiwan aims to train 500,000 AI professionals by 2040, backed by a NT$100 billion (US$31.6 billion) government venture fund. President Lai Ching-te announced the 2026 AI talent forum in Taipei.

The government’s 10-year AI plan includes a national computing centre and the development of technologies such as silicon photonics, quantum computing, and robotics. President Lai said that national competitiveness depends on both chipmaking and citizens’ ability to utilise AI across various disciplines.

To achieve these goals, AI training courses are being introduced for public sector employees, and students are being encouraged to acquire AI skills. The initiative aims to foster cooperation between government, industry, and academia to drive economic transformation.

With a larger pool of AI professionals, Taiwan hopes to help small and medium-sized enterprises accelerate digital upgrades, enhance innovation, and strengthen the nation’s global competitiveness in emerging technologies.

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

Google brings AI to personalised shopping

Google is working with major retailers to use AI in guiding customers from product discovery to checkout. The company has launched the Universal Commerce Protocol, an open standard for seamless agentic commerce that keeps retailers in control of customer relationships.

The Universal Commerce Protocol works with existing systems and partners, including Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Target, and Walmart.

Customers can receive personalised offers, loyalty rewards, and recommendations in Google Search or Gemini, completing purchases via Google Pay without leaving the platform.

To support retailers, Google has launched Gemini Enterprise for Customer Experience, which unifies search, commerce, and service touchpoints across all channels.

Early partners, such as The Home Depot and McDonald’s, are already utilising AI-powered agents to enhance service, provide proactive recommendations, and improve customer engagement.

Logistics also feature prominently, with Wing expanding delivery capabilities alongside Walmart, doubling operations in existing markets, and rolling out to Houston, Orlando, Tampa, Charlotte, and other cities.

Google aims to create an end-to-end shopping ecosystem where AI, agentic protocols, and seamless delivery elevate both customer and retailer experiences.

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