Competition regulation

India’s competition watchdog urges AI self-audits to prevent market distortions

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has urged companies to self-audit their AI systems to prevent anti-competitive practices and ensure responsible autonomy.

A call came as part of the CCI’s market study on AI, emphasising the risks of opacity and algorithmic collusion while highlighting AI’s potential to enhance innovation and productivity.

The study warned that dominant firms could exploit their control over data, infrastructure, and proprietary models to reinforce market power, creating barriers to entry. It also noted that opaque AI systems in user sectors may lead to tacit algorithmic coordination in pricing and strategy, undermining fair competition.

The regulatory approach of India, the CCI said, aims to balance technological progress with accountability through a co-regulatory framework that promotes both competition and innovation.

Additionally, the Commission plans to strengthen its technical capacity, establish a digital markets think tank and host a conference on AI and regulatory challenges.

A report recommended a six-step self-audit framework for enterprises, requiring evaluation of AI systems against competition risks, senior management oversight and clear accountability in high-risk deployments.

It also highlighted AI’s pro-competitive effects, particularly for MSMEs, which benefit from improved efficiency and greater access to digital markets.

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Breach at third-party support provider exposes Discord user data

Discord has disclosed a security incident after a third-party customer service provider was compromised. The breach exposed personal data from users who contacted Discord’s support and Trust & Safety teams.

An unauthorised party accessed the provider’s ticketing system and targeted user data in an extortion attempt. Discord revoked access, launched an investigation with forensic experts, and notified law enforcement. Impacted users will be contacted via official email.

Compromised information may include usernames, contact details, partial billing data, IP addresses, customer service messages, and limited government-ID images. Passwords, authentication data, and full credit card numbers were not affected.

Discord has notified data protection authorities and strengthened security controls for third-party providers. It has also reviewed threat detection systems to prevent similar incidents.

The company urges affected users to remain vigilant against suspicious messages. Service agents are available to answer questions and provide additional support.

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A new AI strategy by the EU to cut reliance on the US and China

The EU is preparing to unveil a new strategy to reduce reliance on American and Chinese technology by accelerating the growth of homegrown AI.

The ‘Apply AI strategy’, set to be presented by the EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, positions AI as a strategic asset essential for the bloc’s competitiveness, security and resilience.

According to draft documents, the plan will prioritise adopting European-made AI tools across healthcare, defence and manufacturing.

Public administrations are expected to play a central role by integrating open-source EU AI systems, providing a market for local start-ups and reducing dependence on foreign platforms. The Commission has pledged €1bn from existing financing programmes to support the initiative.

Brussels has warned that foreign control of the ‘AI stack’ (the hardware and software that underpin advanced systems) could be ‘weaponised’ by state and non-state actors.

These concerns have intensified following Europe’s continued dependence on American tech infrastructure. Meanwhile, China’s rapid progress in AI has further raised fears that the Union risks losing influence in shaping the technology’s future.

Several high-potential AI firms have already been hosted by the EU, including France’s Mistral and Germany’s Helsing. However, they rely heavily on overseas suppliers for software, hardware, and critical minerals.

The Commission wants to accelerate the deployment of European AI-enabled defence tools, such as command-and-control systems, which remain dependent on NATO and US providers. The strategy also outlines investment in sovereign frontier models for areas like space defence.

President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc aims to ‘speed up AI adoption across the board’ to ensure it does not miss the transformative wave.

Brussels hopes to carve out a more substantial global role in the next phase of technological competition by reframing AI as an industrial sovereignty and security instrument.

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Labour market remains stable despite rapid AI adoption

Surveys show persistent anxiety about AI-driven job losses. Nearly three years after ChatGPT’s launch, labour data indicate that these fears have not materialised. Researchers examined shifts in the US occupational mix since late 2022, comparing them to earlier technological transitions.

Their analysis found that shifts in job composition have been modest, resembling the gradual changes seen during the rise of computers and the internet. The overall pace of occupational change has not accelerated substantially, suggesting that widespread job losses due to AI have not yet occurred.

Industry-level data shows limited impact. High-exposure sectors, such as Information and Professional Services, have seen shifts, but many predate the introduction of ChatGPT. Overall, labour market volatility remains below the levels of historical periods of major change.

To better gauge AI’s impact, the study compared OpenAI’s exposure data with Anthropic’s usage data from Claude. The two show limited correlation, indicating that high exposure does not always imply widespread use, especially outside of software and quantitative roles.

Researchers caution that significant labour effects may take longer to emerge, as seen with past technologies. They argue that transparent, comprehensive usage data from major AI providers will be essential to monitor real impacts over time.

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AI industry faces recalibration as Altman delays AGI

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has again adjusted his timeline for achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI). After earlier forecasts for 2023 and 2025, Altman suggests 2030 as a more realistic milestone. The move reflects mounting pressure and shifting expectations in the AI sector.

OpenAI’s public projections come amid challenging financials. Despite a valuation near $500 billion, the company reportedly lost $5 billion last year on $3.7 billion in revenue. Investors remain drawn to ambitious claims of AGI, despite widespread scepticism. Predictions now span from 2026 to 2060.

Experts question whether AGI is feasible under current large language model (LLM) architectures. They point out that LLMs rely on probabilistic patterns in text, lack lived experience, and cannot develop human judgement or intuition from data alone.

Another point of critique is that text-based models cannot fully capture embodied expertise. Fields like law, medicine, or skilled trades depend on hands-on training, tacit knowledge, and real-world context, where AI remains fundamentally limited.

As investors and commentators calibrate expectations, the AI industry may face a reckoning. Altman’s shifting forecasts underscore how hype and uncertainty continue to shape the race toward perceived machine-level intelligence.

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Future of work shaped by AI, flexible ecosystems and soft retirement

As technology reshapes workplaces, how we work is set for significant change in the decade’s second half. Seven key trends are expected to drive this transformation, shaped by technological shifts, evolving employee expectations, and new organisational realities.

AI will continue to play a growing role in 2026. Beyond simply automating tasks, companies will increasingly design AI-native workflows built from the ground up to automate, predict, and support decision-making.

Hybrid and remote work will solidify flexible ecosystems of tools, networks, and spaces to support employees wherever they are. The trend emphasises seamless experiences, global talent access, and stronger links between remote workers and company culture.

The job landscape will continue to change as AI affects hiring in clerical, administrative, and managerial roles, while sectors such as healthcare, education, and construction grow. Human skills, such as empathy, communication, and leadership, will become increasingly valuable.

Data-driven people management will replace intuition-based approaches, with AI used to find patterns and support evidence-based decisions. Employee experience will also become a key differentiator, reflecting customer-focused strategies to attract and retain talent.

An emerging ‘soft retirement’ trend will see healthier older workers reduce hours rather than stop altogether, offering businesses valuable expertise. Those who adapt early to these trends will be better positioned to thrive in the future of work.

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US AI models outperform Chinese rival DeepSeek

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Centre for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) found AI models from Chinese developer DeepSeek trail US models in performance, cost, security, and adoption.

Evaluations covered three DeepSeek and four leading US models, including OpenAI’s GPT-5 series and Anthropic’s Opus 4, across 19 benchmarks.

US AI models outperformed DeepSeek across nearly all benchmarks, with the most significant gaps in software engineering and cybersecurity tasks. CAISI found DeepSeek models costlier and far more vulnerable to hijacking and jailbreaking, posing risks to developers, consumers, and national security.

DeepSeek models were observed to echo inaccurate Chinese Communist Party narratives four times more often than US reference models. Despite weaknesses, DeepSeek model adoption has surged, with downloads rising nearly 1,000% since January 2025.

CAISI is a key contact for industry collaboration on AI standards and security. The evaluation aligns with the US government’s AI Action Plan, which aims to assess the capabilities and risks of foreign AI while securing American leadership in the field.

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AI platforms barred from cloning Asha Bhosle’s voice without consent

The Bombay High Court has granted ad-interim relief to Asha Bhosle, barring AI platforms and sellers from cloning her voice or likeness without consent. The 90-year-old playback singer, whose career spans eight decades, approached the court to protect her identity from unauthorised commercial use.

Bhosle filed the suit after discovering platforms offering AI-generated voice clones mimicking her singing. Her plea argued that such misuse damages her reputation and goodwill. Justice Arif S. Doctor found a strong prima facie case and stated that such actions would cause irreparable harm.

The order restrains defendants, including US-based Mayk Inc, from using machine learning, face-morphing, or generative AI to imitate her voice or likeness. Google, also named in the case, has agreed to take down specific URLs identified by Bhosle’s team.

Defendants are required to share subscriber information, IP logs, and payment details to assist in identifying infringers. The court emphasised that cloning the voices of cultural icons risks misleading the public and infringing on individuals’ rights to their identity.

The ruling builds on recent cases in India affirming personality rights and sets an important precedent in the age of generative AI. The matter is scheduled to return to court on 13 October 2025.

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Alibaba shares climb to highest since 2021

Alibaba’s $250 billion rebound has turned it into China’s hottest AI stock, with analysts saying the rally may still have room to run.

The group’s US-listed shares have more than doubled this year as Beijing pushes for greater technological self-reliance. Despite the surge, the stock remains 65% below its 2020 peak, keeping valuations attractive compared with US giants like Microsoft and Amazon.

Fund managers say global investors still hold relatively minor positions in Alibaba, creating scope for further gains. Some caution remains, however, with Chinese short bets rising last month and price wars in food delivery threatening to dent margins.

Alibaba trades roughly 22 times the estimated forward earnings in Hong Kong, which is in line with the Hang Seng Tech Index but below its historic peak and US peers. Investors say its valuation looks reasonable given its AI push and improving sentiment.

Shares touched their highest level since August 2021 on Friday, standing out against declines in the broader Hong Kong market. The key test will be whether Alibaba can convert its AI ambitions into mainstream revenues.

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FRA presents rights framework at EU Innovation Hub AI Cluster workshop in Tallinn

The EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security’s AI Cluster gathered in Tallinn on 25–26 September for a workshop focused on AI and its implications for security and rights.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) played a central role, presenting its Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment framework under the AI Act and highlighting its ongoing project on assessing high-risk AI.

A workshop that also provided an opportunity for FRA to give an update on its internal and external work in the AI field, reflecting the growing need to balance technological innovation with rights-based safeguards.

AI-driven systems in security and policing are increasingly under scrutiny, with regulators and agencies seeking to ensure compliance with EU rules on privacy, transparency and accountability.

In collaboration with Europol, FRA also introduced plans for a panel discussion on ‘The right to explanation of AI-driven individual decision-making’. Scheduled for 19 November in Brussels, the session will form part of the Annual Event of the EU Innovation Hub for Internal Security.

It is expected to draw policymakers, law enforcement representatives and rights advocates into dialogue about transparency obligations in AI use for security contexts.

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