The G7 leaders met with counterparts from several countries, including Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, and India, along with heads of major international organisations such as the African Development Bank and the UN, to address global challenges impacting the Global South. They emphasised the need for a unified and equitable international response to these issues, underscoring solidarity and shared responsibility to ensure inclusive solutions.
Pope Francis made an unprecedented appearance at the summit, contributing valuable insights on AI. The leaders discussed AI’s potential to enhance industrial productivity while cautioning against its possible negative impacts on the labour market and society. They stressed the importance of developing AI that is ethical, transparent, and respects human rights, advocating for AI to improve services while protecting workers.
The leaders highlighted the necessity of bridging digital divides and promoting digital inclusion, supporting Italy’s proposal for an AI Hub for Sustainable Development. The hub aims to strengthen local AI ecosystems and advance AI’s role in sustainable development.
They also emphasised the importance of education, lifelong learning, and international mobility to equip workers with the necessary skills to work with AI. Finally, the leaders committed to fostering cooperation with developing and emerging economies to close digital gaps, including the gender digital divide, and achieve broader digital inclusion.
Apple and Meta Platforms are set to face charges from the European Commission for failing to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) before the summer. The DMA aims to curb the dominance of Big Tech by ensuring fair competition and making it easier for users to switch between competing services. Apple and Meta are the Commission’s priority cases, with Apple expected to be charged first, followed by Meta.
Apple’s charges will focus on its App Store policies, which allegedly restrict app developers from informing users about alternative offers and impose new fees. Additionally, a separate investigation into Apple’s Safari web browser is expected to take more time. Meta’s charges will centre on its recent ‘pay or consent’ model for Facebook and Instagram, which requires users to either pay for an ad-free experience or consent to targeted advertising.
Both companies have the opportunity to address the concerns before the final decision, which could result in fines of up to 10% of their global annual turnover. Apple stated in March that it believes its plans comply with the DMA and is engaging constructively with the Commission. Meta and the Commission declined to comment on the ongoing investigations.
A lawsuit filed by Elon Musk’s company X against Media Matters, scheduled for trial in April 2025, marks the latest development in a contentious legal battle. The US District Court for the Northern District of Texas set this date following allegations from X that Media Matters misrepresented the prevalence of hate speech on social media platforms, specifically targeting content on X’s platform.
Media Matters, a nonprofit watchdog group, has been accused by X of distorting data and exaggerating the likelihood of encountering extremist content. X claims that Media Matters’ methodology does not accurately reflect real user experiences, prompting a legal challenge that has garnered significant attention.
In response to Thursday’s court order, neither X nor Media Matters provided immediate comments. However, Media Matters President Angelo Carusone previously denounced the lawsuit as baseless and an attempt to stifle criticism of Elon Musk. Motions for summary judgment are expected by December, with a decision potentially influencing the case’s outcome before it reaches trial.
The lawsuit is part of a broader pattern for Musk, who has faced legal setbacks in similar cases aiming to challenge watchdog groups. Earlier this year, a federal judge in California dismissed a lawsuit by X against the Center for Countering Digital Hate, criticising it as retaliatory rather than protective of platform integrity. The outcome of these legal battles could affect how social media platforms and watchdog organisations navigate issues of content moderation and free speech moving forward.
Particle, a news-reader startup developed by former Twitter engineers, is partnering with publishers to navigate the evolving landscape of news consumption in the AI era. By leveraging AI technology, Particle aims to provide news summaries from various publishers through its app, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of current events from multiple perspectives. That approach seeks to address concerns within the publishing industry about potential revenue loss due to AI-driven news summaries.
Now, Particle has teamed up with Reuters to explore new business models in a significant move. The startup has subscribed to Reuters newswire to enhance its news delivery capabilities. Additionally, Particle secured $10.9 million in Series A funding led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, with investments from media giant Axel Springer. These partnerships and investments underscore Particle’s commitment to collaborating with publishers to address their needs and goals in the rapidly evolving media landscape.
Particle’s co-founder, Sara Beykpour, emphasises the startup’s focus on delivering value to news consumers beyond AI summaries. With a mission to help readers cut through the noise and understand the news faster, Particle offers a personalised news experience while ensuring exposure to diverse viewpoints. By presenting news stories holistically and integrating perspectives from multiple outlets, Particle aims to combat information overload and mitigate media bias.
Why does it matter?
Despite its innovative approach, Particle has yet to finalise its business model. The startup actively engages with publishers to develop a sustainable model that benefits readers and publishers. Possibilities include revenue sharing, advertising, and more, with input from industry stakeholders shaping the future direction of Particle’s business strategy.
Pope Francis is set to make history at the upcoming G7 summit in Italy’s Puglia region by becoming the first pope to address the gathering’s discussions on AI. His participation underscores his commitment to ensuring that AI development aligns with human values and serves the common good. The 87-year-old pontiff recognises the potential of AI for positive change but also emphasises the need for careful regulation to prevent its misuse and safeguard against potential risks.
At the heart of the pope’s message is the call for an ethical framework to guide AI development and usage. Through initiatives like the ‘Rome Call for AI Ethics’, the Vatican seeks to promote transparency, inclusion, responsibility, and impartiality in AI endeavours. Notably, major tech companies like Microsoft, IBM, Cisco Systems, and international organisations have endorsed these principles.
During the G7 summit, Pope Francis is expected to advocate for international cooperation in AI regulation. He emphasises the importance of addressing global inequalities in access to technology and mitigating threats like AI-controlled weapons and the spread of misinformation. His presence at the summit signifies a proactive engagement with contemporary issues, reflecting his vision of a Church actively involved in shaping the world’s future.
The pope’s decision to address AI at the G7 summit follows concerns about the rise of ‘deepfake’ technology, exemplified by manipulated images of himself circulating online. He recognises the transformative potential of AI in the 21st century and seeks to ensure its development aligns with human dignity and social justice. Through his participation, Pope Francis aims to contribute to the creation of an ethical and regulatory framework that promotes the responsible use of AI for the benefit of all humanity.
Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook, announced it is developing AI technology tailored specifically for Europe, taking into account the region’s linguistic, geographic, and cultural nuances. The company will train its large language models using publicly shared content from its platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, ensuring that private posts are excluded to maintain user privacy.
Last month, Meta revealed plans to inform Facebook and Instagram users in Europe and the UK about how their public information is utilised to enhance and develop AI technologies. The move aims to increase transparency and reassure users about data privacy.
By focusing on localised AI development, Meta hopes to serve the European market better, reflecting the region’s diverse characteristics in its technology offerings. That effort underscores Meta’s commitment to respecting user privacy while advancing its AI capabilities.
Three US lawmakers have raised concerns about NewsBreak, a popular news aggregation app, due to its Chinese origins and use of AI tools that have produced erroneous stories. Senator Mark Warner, chair of the Intelligence Committee, emphasised the threat posed by technologies from adversarial countries. At the same time, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi highlighted the need for transparency regarding any ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Representative Elise Stefanik pointed to the backing by IDG Capital, a Beijing-based private equity firm, as a reason for increased scrutiny.
NewsBreak, launched in the US in 2015, was originally a subsidiary of the Chinese news app Yidian, founded by Jeff Zheng. Despite being labelled an American company by its spokesperson, court documents and other evidence reveal historical links to Chinese investors and engineers based in China. Notably, Yidian has received praise from Chinese Communist Party officials for disseminating government propaganda, although there is no evidence that NewsBreak has censored or produced pro-China news.
The primary investors in NewsBreak include San Francisco-based Francisco Partners and Beijing-based IDG Capital. IDG Capital, which the Pentagon has listed as allegedly working with Beijing’s military, denies any such association. Francisco Partners has described the scrutiny as ‘false and misleading,’ but the lawmakers maintain their stance on carefully examining the app’s potential risks to US interests.
New York state lawmakers have passed new legislation to restrict social media platforms from showing ‘addictive’ algorithmic content to users under 18 without parental consent. The measure to implement aims to mitigate online risks to children, making New York the latest state to take such action. A companion bill was also passed, which limits online sites from collecting and selling the personal data of minors.
Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to sign both bills into law, calling them a significant step toward addressing the youth mental health crisis and ensuring a safer digital environment. The legislation could impact revenues for social media companies like Meta, which generated significant income from advertising to minors.
While industry associations have criticised the bills as unconstitutional and an assault on free speech, proponents argue that the measures are necessary to protect adolescents from mental health issues linked to excessive social media use. The SAFE (Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation) for Kids Act will require parental consent for minors to view algorithm-driven content instead of providing a chronological feed of followed accounts and popular content.
The New York Child Data Protection Act, the companion bill, will bar online sites from collecting, using, or selling the personal data of minors without informed consent. Violations could result in significant penalties, adding a layer of protection for young internet users.
Google has issued new guidance for developers building AI apps distributed through Google Play in response to growing concerns over the proliferation of AI-powered apps designed to create deepfake nude images. The platform recently announced a crackdown on such applications, signalling a firm stance against the misuse of AI for generating non-consensual and potentially harmful content.
The move comes in the wake of alarming reports highlighting the ease with which these apps can manipulate photos to create realistic yet fabricated nude images of individuals. Reports have surfaced about apps like ‘DeepNude’ and its clones, which can strip clothes from images of women to produce highly realistic nude photos. Another report detailed the widespread availability of apps that could generate deepfake videos, leading to significant privacy invasions and the potential for harassment and blackmail.
Apps offering AI features have to be ‘rigorously tested’ to safeguard against prompts that generate restricted content and have to provide a way for users to signal it. Google strongly suggests that developers document the recommended tests before launching them, as Google could ask them to be reviewed in the future. Additionally, developers can’t advertise that their app breaks any of Google Play’s rules at the risk of getting banned from the app store. The company is also publishing other resources and best practices, like its People + AI Guidebook, which aims to support developers building AI apps.
Why Does It Matter?
The proliferation of AI-driven deepfake apps on platforms like Google Play undermine personal privacy and consent by allowing anyone to generate highly realistic and often explicit content of individuals without their knowledge or consent. Such misuse can lead to severe reputational damage, harassment, and even extortion, affecting both individuals and public figures alike.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has praised the Council of Europe’s (CoE) new Framework Convention on AI for its progress but criticised its reliance on private sector self-regulation. The Convention, which includes 46 European countries, aims to address the impact of AI on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. While it acknowledges the threat of AI-fueled disinformation, RSF argues that it fails to provide the necessary mechanisms to achieve its goals.
The CoE Convention mandates strict regulatory measures for AI use in the public sector but allows member states to choose self-regulation for the private sector. RSF believes this distinction is a critical flaw, as the private sector, particularly social media companies and other digital service providers, have historically prioritised business interests over the public good. According to RSF, this approach will not effectively combat the disinformation challenges posed by AI.
RSF urges countries that adopt the Convention to implement robust national legislation to strictly regulate AI development and use. That would ensure that AI technologies are deployed ethically and responsibly, protecting the integrity of information and democratic processes. Vincent Berthier, Head of RSF’s Tech Desk, emphasised the need for legal requirements over self-regulation to ensure AI serves the public interest and upholds the right to reliable information.
RSF’s recommendations provide a framework for AI regulation that addresses the shortcomings of both the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention and the European Union’s AI Act, advocating for stringent measures to safeguard the integrity of information and democracy.
