Content Policy

Australia moves to block AI nudify apps

Australia has announced plans to curb AI tools that generate nude images and enable online stalking. The government said it would introduce new legislation requiring tech companies to block apps designed to abuse and humiliate people.

Communications Minister Anika Wells said such AI tools are fuelling sextortion scams and putting children at risk. So-called ‘nudify’ apps, which digitally strip clothing from images, have spread quickly online.

A Save the Children survey found one in five young people in Spain had been targeted by deepfake nudes, showing how widespread the abuse has become.

Canberra pledged to use every available measure to restrict access, while ensuring that legitimate AI services are not harmed. Australia has already passed strict laws banning under-16s from social media, with the new measures set to build on its reputation as a leader in online safety.

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

OpenAI boss, Sam Altman, fuels debate over dead internet theory

Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, has suggested that the so-called ‘dead internet theory’ may hold some truth. The idea, long dismissed as a conspiracy theory, claims much of the online world is now dominated by computer-generated content rather than real people.

Altman noted on X that he had not previously taken the theory seriously but believed there were now many accounts run by large language models.

His remark drew criticism from users who argued that OpenAI itself had helped create the problem by releasing ChatGPT in 2022, which triggered a surge of automated content.

The spread of AI systems has intensified debate over whether online spaces are increasingly filled with artificially generated voices.

Some observers also linked Altman’s comments to his work on World Network, formerly Worldcoin, a project launched in 2019 to verify human identity online through biometric scans. That initiative has been promoted as a potential safeguard against the growing influence of AI-driven systems.

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

Google Cloud study shows AI agents driving global business growth

A new Google Cloud study indicates that more than half of global enterprises are already using AI agents, with many reporting consistent revenue growth and faster return on investment.

The research, based on a survey of 3,466 executives across 24 countries, suggests agentic AI is moving from trial projects to large-scale deployment.

The findings by Google Cloud reveal that 52% of executives said their organisations actively use AI agents, while 39% reported launching more than ten. A group of early adopters, representing 13% of respondents, have gone further by dedicating at least half of their future AI budgets to agentic AI.

These companies are embedding agents across operations and are more likely to report returns in customer service, marketing, cybersecurity and software development.

The report also highlights how industries are tailoring adoption. Financial services focus on fraud detection, retail uses agents for quality control, and telecom operators apply them for network automation.

Regional variations are notable: European companies prioritise tech support, Latin American firms lean on marketing, while Asia-Pacific enterprises emphasise customer service.

Although enthusiasm is strong, challenges remain. Executives cited data privacy, security and integration with existing systems as key concerns.

Google Cloud executives said that early adopters are not only automating tasks but also reshaping business processes, with 2025 expected to mark a shift towards embedding AI intelligence directly into operations.

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

Perplexity AI teams up with PayPal for fintech expansion

PayPal has partnered with Perplexity AI to provide PayPal and Venmo users in the US and select international markets with a free 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription and early access to the AI-powered Comet browser.

The $200 subscription allows unlimited queries, file uploads and advanced search features, while Comet offers natural language browsing to simplify complex tasks.

Industry analysts see the initiative as a way for PayPal to strengthen its position in fintech by integrating AI into everyday digital payments.

By linking accounts, users gain access to AI tools and cash back incentives and subscription management features, signalling a push toward what some describe as agentic commerce, where AI assistants guide financial and shopping decisions.

The deal also benefits Perplexity AI, a rising search and browser market challenger. Exposure to millions of PayPal customers could accelerate the adoption of its technology and provide valuable data for refining models.

Analysts suggest the partnership reflects a broader trend of payment platforms evolving into service hubs that combine transactions with AI-driven experiences.

While enthusiasm is high among early users, concerns remain about data privacy and regulatory scrutiny over AI integration in finance.

Market reaction has been positive, with PayPal shares edging upward following the announcement. Observers believe such alliances will shape the next phase of digital commerce, where payments, browsing, and AI capabilities converge.

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

Hollywood’s Warner Bros. Discovery challenge an AI firm over copyright claims

Warner Bros. Discovery has filed a lawsuit against AI company Midjourney, accusing it of large-scale infringement of its intellectual property. The move follows similar actions by Disney and Universal, signalling growing pressure from major studios on AI image and video generators.

The filing includes examples of Midjourney-produced images featuring DC Comics, Looney Tunes and Rick and Morty characters. Warner Bros. Discovery argues that such output undermines its business model, which relies heavily on licensed images and merchandise.

The studio also claims Midjourney profits from copyright-protected works through its subscription services and the ‘Midjourney TV’ platform.

A central question in the case is whether AI-generated material reproducing copyrighted characters constitutes infringement under US law. The courts have not decided on this issue, making the outcome uncertain.

Warner Bros. Discovery is also challenging how Midjourney trains its models, pointing to past statements from company executives suggesting vast quantities of material were indiscriminately collected to build its systems.

With three major Hollywood studios now pursuing lawsuits, the outcome of these cases could establish a precedent for how courts treat AI-generated content.

Warner Bros. Discovery seeks damages that could reach $150,000 per infringed work, or Midjourney’s profits linked to the alleged violations.

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

Wikipedia publishes guide to spot AI-generated entries

Wikipedia editors have published a guide titled ‘Signs of AI Writing’ to support readers and contributors in detecting AI-generated content across the encyclopedia.

The field guide distils key linguistic and formatting traits commonly found in AI output, such as overblown symbolism, promotional tone, repetitive transitions, rule-of-three phrasing and editorial commentary that breaks Wikipedia’s standards.

The initiative stems from the community’s ongoing challenge against AI-generated content, which has grown enough to warrant the creation of a dedicated project named WikiProject AI Cleanup.

Volunteers have developed tools like speedy deletion policies to quickly remove suspicious entries and tagged over 500 articles for review.

While the guide aims to strengthen detection, editors caution that it should not be treated as a shortcut but should complement human judgement, oversight, and trusted community processes. Such layered scrutiny helps preserve Wikipedia’s reputation for reliability.

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

Atlassian bets on AI browsers with $610m deal

The proprietary software firm Atlassian is entering the AI browser market with a $610 million deal to acquire The Browser Company of New York, creator of Arc and Dia. The move signals an attempt to turn browsers into intelligent assistants instead of leaving them as passive tools.

Traditional browsers are blank slates, forcing users to juggle tabs and applications without context. Arc and Dia promise a different approach by connecting tasks, offering in-line AI support, and adapting to user behaviour. Atlassian believes these features could transform productivity for knowledge workers.

Analysts note, however, that AI browsers are still experimental. While they offer potential to integrate workflows and reduce distractions, rivals like Chrome, Edge and Safari already dominate with established ecosystems and security features. Convincing users to change habits may prove difficult.

Industry observers suggest Atlassian’s move is more a long-term bet on natural language and agentic browsing than an immediate market shift. For now, AI browsers remain promising but unproven alternatives to conventional tools.

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

Tourism boards across Europe embrace AI but face gaps in strategy and skills

A new study by the European Travel Commission shows that national tourism organisations (NTOs) are experimenting with AI but are facing gaps in strategy and skills.

Marketing teams are leading the way, applying AI in content generation and workflow streamlining, whereas research departments primarily view the tools as exploratory. Despite uneven readiness, most staff show enthusiasm, with little resistance reported.

The survey highlights challenges, including limited budgets, sparse training, and the absence of a clear roadmap. Early adopters report tangible productivity gains, but most NTOs are still running small pilots rather than embedding AI across operations.

Recommendations include ring-fencing time for structured experiments, offering role-specific upskilling, and scaling budgets aligned with results. The report also urges the creation of shared learning spaces and providing practical support to help organisations transition from testing to sustained adoption.

ETC President Miguel Sanz said AI offers clear opportunities for tourism boards, but uneven capacity means shared tools and targeted investment will be essential to ensure innovation benefits all members.

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

IBM Cloud replaces free support with AI tools

The cloud computing services offered by IBM will end free human support under its Basic Support tier in January 2026, opting for an AI-driven self-service model instead.

Users will lose the option to open or escalate technical cases through the portal or APIs. However, they can still report service issues via the Cloud Console and raise billing or account cases through the Support Portal.

IBM will direct customers to its Watsonx-powered AI Assistant, upgraded earlier in the year, while introducing a ‘Report an Issue’ tool to improve routing. The company plans to expand its support library to provide more detailed self-help resources.

Starting at $200 per month, paid support will remain available for organisations needing faster response times and direct technical assistance.

The company describes the change as an alignment with industry norms. AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure already provide free tiers that rely on community forums, online resources and billing support.

However, IBM Cloud holds only 2–4 percent of the market, according to Synergy Research Group, which some analysts suggest makes cost reductions in support more likely. Tencent, another provider, previously withdrew support for basic users because they were not profitable.

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

CNIL fines Google and SHEIN in ongoing cookie compliance crackdown

France’s data protection authority, CNIL, has fined Google 350 million euros and SHEIN 150 million euros as part of a broader enforcement effort targeting non-compliant use of advertising cookies under Article 82 of the French Data Protection Act.

The action stems from CNIL’s 2019 guidelines, aimed at ensuring that internet users are adequately informed and give valid consent for the placement of cookies.

The CNIL’s restricted committee, responsible for imposing penalties, raised ongoing concerns such as unauthorised cookie placement and the growing use of ‘cookie walls’ where users must accept cookies to access services.

Although not illegal by default, such practices require consent, with all choices presented clearly and without bias.

In Google’s case, CNIL also cited a breach of Article L.34-5 of the French Postal and Electronic Communications Code for displaying promotional emails in Gmail’s ‘Promotions’ and ‘Social’ tabs without prior user consent. High-traffic platforms remain a key focus of the authority’s compliance strategy.

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