Washington is considering rules that would require US government approval for overseas purchases of AI chips, tightening control over the global semiconductor supply chain. Draft proposals would make foreign buyers seek Department of Commerce authorisation before acquiring AI chips from US suppliers.
Furthermore, scrutiny will vary by order size, giving US authorities more oversight of international demand for advanced processors. The proposed rules could significantly expand oversight of leading semiconductor manufacturers such as NVIDIA and AMD, whose AI chips underpin many advanced AI systems.
The new approach to regulating exports of AI chips marks a shift toward a more interventionist strategy. Previously, during the Biden administration, an AI diffusion regulation was finalised to control the global spread of AI technology. Yet, before this rule could take effect, the current administration scrapped it. Building on these developments, the current proposed rules represent a new chapter in US AI export policy.
A US Department of Commerce spokesperson said the agency remains committed to ‘promoting secure exports of the American tech stack,’ but rejected claims that the government is reviving the earlier diffusion framework, calling it ‘burdensome, overreaching, and disastrous.’
Meanwhile, critics warn that tighter controls could have unintended effects. Restrictions on AI chip exports may drive international buyers to non-US suppliers, potentially weakening US leadership in advanced semiconductor technology as global AI hardware competition intensifies.
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A new study introduces observed exposure, a measure that combines theoretical AI capability and real-world use to estimate which jobs are most susceptible to automation. Tasks performed by LLMs and actively automated at work receive higher exposure scores.
Computer programmers, customer service representatives, and financial analysts rank among the most exposed occupations.
The analysis finds that AI is far from reaching its full potential, with many tasks still beyond current capabilities. Occupations with higher observed exposure tend to grow more slowly, and workers in these roles are more likely to be older, female, highly educated, and earn higher wages.
Early evidence suggests that the hiring of younger workers aged 22-25 may be slowing in highly exposed occupations. While these effects are small, they may indicate initial labour market adjustments as AI tools become more integrated into workplace tasks.
Researchers emphasise that observed exposure provides a framework for tracking AI’s economic impact over time, helping policymakers and businesses identify potential vulnerabilities.
The study underscores the gap between AI’s theoretical capabilities and actual usage, highlighting the importance of monitoring adoption patterns. The framework uses task automation and job data to track AI’s impact on the workforce.
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Meta is facing a new lawsuit in the US over privacy concerns tied to its AI smart glasses.
The legal complaint follows investigative reporting indicating that contractors working for a Kenya-based subcontractor reviewed footage captured by users’ devices, including sensitive personal scenes.
The lawsuit alleges that some of the reviewed material included nudity and other intimate activities recorded by the glasses’ cameras.
According to the complaint, the footage formed part of a data review process designed to improve the AI system integrated into the wearable device.
Plaintiffs claim Meta marketed the product as prioritising user privacy, citing advertisements suggesting that the glasses were ‘designed for privacy’ and that users remained in control of their personal data.
The complaint argues that such messaging could mislead consumers if the footage were subject to human review without clear disclosure.
A legal action that also names eyewear manufacturer Luxottica, which partnered with Meta to produce the glasses.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office has begun examining the issue after reports that face-blurring safeguards may not have consistently protected individuals captured in the recordings.
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Meta has announced that third-party AI chatbots will again be allowed to operate through WhatsApp in Europe, reversing restrictions introduced earlier this year.
The decision follows pressure from the European Commission, which had warned it could impose interim competition measures.
Earlier in 2026, Meta limited access to rival chatbot services on the messaging platform, prompting regulators to examine whether the move unfairly restricted competition in the rapidly expanding AI market.
WhatsApp remains one of the most widely used messaging applications across European countries, making platform access critical for emerging AI services.
Under the new arrangement, companies will be able to distribute general-purpose AI chatbots via the WhatsApp Business API for 12 months.
The change is intended to give European regulators time to complete their investigation while allowing competing AI services to operate within the platform ecosystem.
Meta has also indicated that businesses offering chatbots through WhatsApp will be required to pay fees to access the system.
The European Commission is now assessing whether these adjustments sufficiently address competition concerns surrounding the integration of AI services inside major digital platforms.
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The agreement will reduce the commission Google charges on in-app purchases and introduce new options that make it easier for users to install alternative app stores on Android devices.
Under the new structure, Google will lower its standard commission to 20% on in-app purchases. Developers who choose to use Google’s billing system will pay an additional 5% fee. The company also announced that recurring subscription fees will drop to 10%.
The revised fee structure will begin rolling out in the United States, the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom by June 2026, with expansion to other regions over the following years.
The settlement also introduces a new initiative called the Registered App Stores programme. The programme aims to simplify the installation of alternative app stores on Android while maintaining certain security and quality standards.
Approved third-party stores will be able to offer apps through a more streamlined installation process, addressing long-standing developer complaints that warnings about sideloading discouraged users from installing legitimate alternative marketplaces.
As part of the agreement, Epic Games plans to bring Fortnite back to the Google Play Store globally while continuing to develop its own Epic Games Store for Android. Both companies described the settlement as a step toward a more competitive Android ecosystem.
The dispute between Epic Games and Apple over App Store policies continues separately, reflecting broader industry debates over platform control, developer fees and competition in digital marketplaces.
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South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party and the Financial Services Commission have agreed to cap major shareholder stakes in domestic crypto exchanges at 20%. Exceptions of up to 34% would apply to new businesses to support early-stage operators.
Large exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb will have 3 years to comply, while smaller platforms will receive an additional 3-year grace period.
Current ownership exceeds the proposed cap, with Upbit at 25.5%, Bithumb at 73.6%, and Coinone at 53.4%. Korbit’s pending acquisition would give Mirae Asset Consulting 92% ownership, highlighting the extent of concentrated holdings in the market.
The cap seeks to curb governance risks from concentrated shareholding, following the FSC’s January 2026 proposal. The move gained urgency after Bithumb’s accidental $43 billion Bitcoin transfer, which raised concerns about internal controls.
The ownership limit will likely be included in South Korea’s upcoming Digital Asset Basic Act, alongside rules on stablecoins and crypto ETFs.
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China asserted its position as the global leader in AI and strategic technology R&D, pledging to accelerate advancement toward technological autonomy. The assertion was prominently featured in government reports presented to the National People’s Congress.
A National Development and Reform Commission report states that China leads international research, development, and implementation in AI, biomedicine, robotics, and quantum technology. The report also references advancements in domestic chip innovation as proof of progress.
Competition between China and the United States for dominance in advanced technologies has escalated. Washington imposed export controls on advanced chips, while Beijing retaliated with restrictions on rare earth resources, escalating trade tensions over strategic technologies.
The report also highlighted the country’s global leadership in open-source AI models and its expansion into emerging technology sectors, including industrial robots and drones. Authorities pledged to nurture future industries such as quantum technology, embodied AI, and 6G networks, while promoting large-scale AI deployment across key sectors.
Officials also plan to launch new data centres, coordinate nationwide computing capacity, and establish mechanisms to prevent AI security risks. The strategy places particular emphasis on embodied AI to boost productivity and performance across sectors. Although US firms command larger investment resources, Beijing is relying on supply chains, manufacturing capacity, and rapid R&D cycles to scale emerging industries despite questions about long-term growth.
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AI has so far had only a small effect on employment across Europe, according to economists at the European Central Bank. A comparison of 5,000 firms- both AI users and non-users- showed no significant difference in job creation or reduction.
Some firms that use AI intensively were even four percent more likely to hire new staff than average.
Economists noted that AI investment has not replaced existing jobs. In some cases, firms are hiring additional employees to develop and implement AI systems or to scale up operations more efficiently.
Only a minority of firms, around 15 percent, reported reducing labour costs as a motivation for AI adoption.
Despite limited impacts so far, the ECB cautioned that AI could have more significant effects as technology matures. Firms that specifically invest in AI to cut jobs may indeed reduce employment, and the long-term consequences for production processes and labour markets remain uncertain.
The findings come amid rising concern over AI-driven job losses, with companies such as Amazon and Allianz citing AI as a reason for recent cuts. Markets reacted negatively last week after a viral post predicted widespread layoffs, though current evidence shows only minor effects.
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European regulators are examining whether Roblox should fall under the Digital Services Act’s most stringent obligations rather than remain outside the bloc’s most demanding platform rules.
The European Commission began analysing the gaming platform’s reported user figures after the company disclosed roughly 48 million monthly users across the EU.
Numbers above the threshold could qualify Roblox as a Very Large Online Platform under the DSA. Such a designation would mark the first time a gaming platform enters the category alongside social media services already subject to heightened oversight.
Platforms receiving the label must conduct regular risk assessments, submit mitigation reports and demonstrate stronger safeguards for minors.
Regulatory pressure has already begun at the national level. The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets launched an investigation in January after concerns that children could encounter violent or sexually explicit content within Roblox games or interact with harmful actors through online features.
Designation at the EU level would transfer supervisory authority to the European Commission, enabling wider investigations and potential fines if violations occur. Officials are still verifying user data before making a formal decision, and no deadline has been announced for the process.
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Brazil’s central bank has introduced a regulatory framework requiring licensed crypto exchanges to prove asset sufficiency daily starting on 1 January 2027. The measures align digital asset intermediaries with banking standards on capital management, accounting, and data protection.
Under the rules, exchanges must submit daily attestations confirming that platforms hold adequate fiat and token reserves. Supervisors will review the reports to ensure companies can cover operational, liquidity, and cybersecurity risks while protecting customer balances.
The framework also mandates strict segregation of company and client assets. Exchanges must maintain separate accounts for customer fiat and digital holdings to prevent commingling of funds and improve transparency for regulators.
Platforms operating in Brazil will also be required to follow a specialised accounting manual for digital assets. Standardised rules for classification, valuation, and impairment aim to ensure financial statements clearly reflect exposures across regulated entities.
Authorities will expand oversight of cross-border transfers handled by domestic crypto exchanges. Platforms must report the origins of transactions and the blockchain pathways they follow. The central bank said the framework aims to strengthen resilience and protect customer funds.
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