Development Archives | Page 4 of 533 | Digital Watch Observatory

EU funding platform drives competitiveness in strategic technologies

The European Commission has highlighted the growing impact of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), which has mobilised €29 billion to strengthen innovation and competitiveness across key sectors.

An initiative that supports the development and manufacturing of critical technologies, reinforcing the Union’s strategic autonomy.

Funding has been directed toward digital and deep-tech innovation, clean technologies, biotechnology and defence, combining resources from EU programmes and Member States.

Such a coordinated approach reflects efforts to reduce strategic dependencies instead of relying on fragmented investment strategies.

The platform has also improved access to funding, with hundreds of calls and projects supported across all Member States. Tools such as the STEP Seal and the planned AI-based access systems aim to simplify processes and attract further public and private investment into high-potential projects.

Looking ahead, the initiative is shaping broader reforms, including proposals for a European Competitiveness Fund. These developments signal a continued focus on streamlining funding mechanisms while supporting innovation ecosystems and long-term economic growth across Europe.

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AI capacity partnership links UNDP and Intel in Lesotho and Liberia

The United Nations Development Programme and Intel are working together to expand AI training and digital skills in Lesotho and Liberia under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2025. According to UNDP, the partnership is intended to combine global technical expertise with local leadership as both countries pursue broader digital transformation goals.

Lesotho and Liberia are approaching the issue from different starting points.UNDP says Lesotho is aiming for universal digital access by 2030, while Liberia is investing in AI in higher education and governance systems to prepare for the future digital economy. Through its partnership with Intel, the UN’s global development network says it is helping close gaps in AI literacy and capacity-building so communities can better understand how AI may affect everyday life.

In Lesotho, UNDP says it has already helped establish 40 Digital Skills Learning Labs and train 40 Digital Ambassadors, including teachers, religious leaders, and local influencers. Intel’s ‘AI for Citizens (AI Community Experiences)’ programme was introduced to provide locally relevant training materials for low-connectivity environments. UNDP says the onboarding included virtual sessions using games and storytelling, while analogue activities and puzzles were used to explain concepts such as computer vision.

Liberia’s work has focused more on higher education and the public sector. UNDP says it supported the University of Liberia in designing its first Master of AI programme through six online sessions with global experts and in-person workshops involving 20 faculty members. The collaboration also extended to government, with targeted training for nearly 100 officials on how AI could improve public service delivery and inform policy decisions.

Anshul Sonak, Global Head of Intel Digital Readiness Programs, said: ‘We are deeply honoured to be a part of the AI training collaboration in Liberia with UNDP. Bringing AI skills and digital literacy to a country rich in history and potential was an amazing experience. We look forward to more collaborations in the future and finding more opportunities for Intel to be a player in the region.’

UNDP says future phases may include expanding training to more communities and countries, adapting content to local languages and contexts, and adding online components as connectivity improves. Dhani Spiller, Head of UNDP’s Digital Capacity Lab, said: ‘This partnership shows what’s possible when we combine UNDP’s development mandate with the innovation and technical depth of private-sector leaders.’

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New quantum threat could weaken cryptocurrency encryption systems

A new warning from Google says advances in quantum computing could weaken widely used cryptographic systems protecting cryptocurrencies and digital infrastructure. A new whitepaper suggests future quantum machines may need fewer resources than previously estimated to break elliptic curve cryptography.

The research focuses on the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem, which underpins much of today’s blockchain security. Findings suggest quantum algorithms like Shor’s could run with fewer qubits and gates, increasing concerns about cryptographic resilience.

To address the risk, the paper recommends a transition to post-quantum cryptography, which is designed to resist quantum attacks. It also outlines short-term blockchain measures, including avoiding reuse of vulnerable wallet addresses and preparing digital asset migration strategies.

Google also introduced a responsible disclosure approach using zero-knowledge proofs to communicate vulnerabilities without exposing exploitable details.

The company says this balances transparency and security, supporting coordinated efforts across crypto and research communities to prepare for quantum threats.

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Cloudflare adds LLM layer to client-side security detection pipeline

Cloudflare has announced two changes to its client-side security offering, making Client-Side Security Advanced available to self-serve customers and offering domain-based threat intelligence at no extra cost to all users on the free Client-Side Security bundle. The update is focused on browser-based attacks that can steal data via malicious scripts without visibly disrupting a website’s normal operation.

Cloudflare says its client-side security system assesses 3.5 billion scripts per day and monitors an average of 2,200 scripts per enterprise zone. According to the company, the product relies on browser reporting, including Content Security Policy signals, rather than scanners or application instrumentation, and requires only that traffic be proxied through Cloudflare.

A central part of the announcement is a new detection pipeline combining a Graph Neural Network (GNN) with a Large Language Model (LLM). Cloudflare says the GNN analyses the Abstract Syntax Tree of JavaScript code to identify malicious intent even when scripts are minified or obfuscated. Scripts flagged as suspicious are then passed to an open-source LLM running on Workers AI for a second-stage semantic assessment intended to reduce false positives.

Cloudflare says the GNN is tuned for high recall to identify novel and zero-day threats, but that false alarms remain a challenge at internet scale. Internal evaluation results cited by the company show that the secondary LLM layer reduced false positives in the JS Integrity threat category by nearly three times across the total analysed traffic, lowering the rate from about 0.3% to about 0.1%. On unique scripts, Cloudflare says the false-positive rate fell from about 1.39% to 0.007%.

The company also describes a recent case involving a heavily obfuscated malicious script named core.js. According to Cloudflare, the payload targeted Xiaomi OpenWrt-based home routers, altered DNS settings, and attempted to change admin passwords. Cloudflare says the script was injected through compromised browser extensions rather than by directly compromising a website, and adds that its GNN detected the malicious structure while the LLM confirmed the intent.

Cloudflare argues that the two-stage design provides structural detection via the GNN and broader semantic filtering via the LLM, enabling the company to lower the GNN decision threshold without sharply increasing alert volume. Every script flagged by the GNN is also logged to Cloudflare R2 for later auditing, which the company says helps it review cases where the LLM overrode the initial verdict.

Domain-based threat intelligence is now being made available to all Client-Side Security customers, including those not using the Advanced tier. Cloudflare says the move is partly a response to attacks seen in 2025 against smaller online shops, especially on Magento, where client-side compromises continued for days or weeks after public disclosure. By extending domain-based signals more broadly, the company says site owners can more quickly identify malicious JavaScript or suspicious connections and investigate possible compromises.

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EPO strengthens industry collaboration on European patent innovation

The European Patent Office (EPO) has reinforced cooperation with industry stakeholders through discussions with the German Association of Industry IP Experts, focusing on strengthening the European patent system and supporting innovation.

A meeting that brought together representatives from major industrial actors to align priorities and explore future collaboration.

Discussions between the EPO and the stakeholders centred on enhancing technology transfer, empowering startups and fostering economic growth across Europe.

Participants emphasised the importance of inclusive engagement among patent system users instead of fragmented approaches, ensuring that innovation strategies reflect both industrial and societal needs.

The Unitary Patent system was highlighted as gaining traction, particularly among smaller entities such as SMEs, individual inventors and research organisations. Such a trend reflects broader efforts to improve accessibility and scalability within the European innovation ecosystem.

AI also featured prominently, with both sides recognising its growing role in improving efficiency and quality in patent processes.

A human-centric approach remains essential, ensuring that AI deployment supports responsible innovation while maintaining high standards in patent examination and services.

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Italy fines major bank over data protection failures

The Italian Data Protection Authority has imposed a €31.8 million fine on Intesa Sanpaolo following serious shortcomings in its handling of personal data.

The case stems from unauthorised access by an employee to thousands of customer accounts, raising concerns about internal oversight and data protection safeguards.

Investigations revealed that monitoring systems failed to detect repeated unjustified access to sensitive financial information over an extended period. The breach also involved high-risk individuals, highlighting weaknesses in risk-based controls instead of robust, targeted protection measures.

Authorities in Italy identified violations of core data protection principles, including integrity, confidentiality and accountability. Additional concerns arose from delays in notifying both regulators and affected individuals, limiting the ability to respond effectively to the incident.

The case of Intesa Sanpaolo underscores increasing regulatory scrutiny of data governance practices in the financial sector. Strengthening internal controls and ensuring timely breach reporting remain essential for maintaining trust and compliance in data-driven banking environments.

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UK-Philippines partnership advances digital education and EdTech

The British Embassy in Manila and the Philippines’ Department of Education have expanded cooperation to advance EdTech and digital learning, focusing on inclusive and evidence-based approaches instead of fragmented implementation.

A partnership that aims to strengthen foundational learning while supporting long-term resilience in the education system.

Support is being delivered through EdTech Hub, with initiatives centred on developing a National EdTech Policy, improving responses to climate-related disruptions, and expanding the use of AI in education administration.

The programme includes pilot projects and evaluation frameworks designed to ensure technology adoption remains effective, scalable, and responsive to local needs.

A key component involves participation in global AI initiatives, including an observatory and challenge programme to build institutional capacity and encourage experimentation.

These efforts seek to enhance efficiency in education systems while supporting innovation in teaching and learning environments, particularly in areas affected by environmental and structural challenges.

The collaboration between the UK and the Philippines reflects a broader commitment to digital transformation in education across Southeast Asia, aiming to ensure equitable access to learning opportunities.

By combining research, policy development, and technological innovation, both sides seek to prepare students and institutions for evolving demands while maintaining a focus on inclusion and long-term sustainability.

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Malta launches SMART Food project with AI and blockchain

Malta is advancing the SMART Food project to strengthen the agri-food sector. The initiative is a Malta-Italy partnership funded under the Interreg programme.

Minister Anton Refalo said the project aims to create a reliable and technologically advanced food system. A digital platform using AI and blockchain will provide real-time information on products from production to consumption.

The project seeks to meet consumer demand for clarity on food origin, safety, and sustainability. It will also support farmers and industry operators in adopting more efficient practices.

Minister Refalo added that the initiative strengthens trust across the food chain and empowers consumers. Malta’s scale allows it to adopt innovative solutions and take a leading role in modernising the sector.

The Malta Food Agency manages the project, including development, management, and training. Chief Executive Brian Vella said it safeguards product quality, improves traceability, and reinforces confidence in local produce.

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UK-backed SPOQC mission launches to test space-based quantum communications

A UK-led research mission aimed at advancing space-based quantum communications has launched aboard a SpaceX Transporter-16 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Satellite Platform for Optical Quantum Communications, or SPOQC, was developed under the Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub led by Heriot-Watt University and was launched on 30 March 2026.

The mission builds on research and development carried out first through the Quantum Communications Hub and later through the IQN Hub, both funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Five UK research institutions are involved in the collaboration, which is intended to strengthen UK capabilities in space-based quantum communications as governments and researchers prepare for the cybersecurity implications of more powerful quantum computing systems.

SPOQC is now in the final stages of commissioning before it begins transmitting quantum signals to receivers at the Hub Optical Ground Station at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. The CubeSat is operating in a low Earth, Sun-synchronous orbit and passes over the UK about twice a day, with most measurements expected to take place during night-time passes, when experimental conditions are more favourable.

The mission’s wider policy relevance lies in its connection to the UK’s National Quantum Strategy, which views quantum technologies as important to national resilience, digital infrastructure, and long-term competitiveness. The project presents satellite-based systems as the most practical route towards resilient international quantum communication, since terrestrial fibre links face distance-related limitations that can degrade quantum signals over time.

A distinctive feature of the mission is its dual quantum source payload. One source uses discrete quantum signals at the single-photon level and was developed by the University of Bristol team, while the other uses continuous-variable signals and was developed by researchers at the University of York. Both connect to dedicated receivers at the optical ground station, allowing researchers to compare two established but technically different communication methods under varying atmospheric and orbital conditions.

‘The SPOQC mission is the culmination of outstanding collaborations between leading UK Universities, STFC RAL Space, and external industry partners. It offers a world-first platform to critically compare different quantum communication modalities, including the first use of continuous variable approaches from space. Through the IQN Hub, the SPOQC mission is a vital enabler towards truly global quantum communication via integration into terrestrial UK networks.’, said Professor Gerald Buller, Director of the IQN Hub.

The collaboration brings together the Universities of Bristol, Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde and York, alongside the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s RAL Space. STFC RAL Space contributed engineering, systems integration and mission support, while Heriot-Watt is operating the optical ground station. ISISPACE provided the satellite and technical support.

Researchers say the mission will also test whether quantum technologies can be scaled down to a 12U CubeSat, roughly the size of a microwave oven, as a proof of concept for future compact and lower-cost satellite quantum networks. SPOQC follows the November 2025 launch of SpeQtre, a UK-Singapore collaboration led by STFC RAL Space and SpeQtral, making it the second quantum mission supported by UK research to launch within six months.

Full quantum communication experiments are expected to begin in the second half of 2026 once commissioning is complete. Professor Tim Spiller from the University of York said: ‘As Director of the preceding Quantum Communications Hub, it is very pleasing to see six years of R&D by that Hub team to develop SPOQC and HOGS finally be rewarded with the launch of SPOQC. However, this will add a crucial link to the UK’s expanding quantum networking capability. I look forward to the first quantum demonstrations from SPOQC and HOGS later this year.’

Andy Vick, Disruptive Technology Programme Lead at STFC RAL Space, said: ‘The launch of two quantum CubeSats in close succession highlights the UK’s growing leadership in quantum technology. While both missions share a common satellite platform, SPOQC has united new partners to address new challenges. The RAL Space team is proud to have contributed from the outset, working closely with the Quantum Communications Hub, whose initial work laid strong foundations for the mission, and now supporting its delivery under the leadership of the IQN Hub. SPOQC is a big step for all the teams involved, one that we hope will pave the way for the UK’s national quantum network mission.’

Dr Kedar Pandya, Executive Director of EPSRC’s Strategy Directorate, said: ‘The SPOQC mission is a powerful example of how UK research leadership is shaping the future of secure global communications. By uniting world-class expertise across our quantum research hubs, we’re demonstrating not only scientific excellence but real technological ambition. This launch marks a major step toward quantum-secure networks that will help safeguard the UK’s digital infrastructure for decades to come.’

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UN launches Global Mechanism on ICT security, elects chair for 2026–2027

The United Nations has convened the organisational session of the Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible state behaviour in the use of ICTs, a new permanent forum established by UN General Assembly resolution 80/16.

The session was opened by Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, who facilitated the election of Ambassador Egriselda López of El Salvador as chair for the 2026–2027 biennium.

During the meeting, the Russian Federation said it would not block the consensus-based appointment of López to ensure the swift launch of the mechanism. However, it expressed ‘deep disquiet’ regarding the pre-election process, stating that the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) had initiated an informal silence procedure on 13 March regarding López’s candidacy without prior discussion with member states. The delegation described the step as ‘unauthorised’ under UN General Assembly resolutions 79/237 and 80/16.

In her remarks following the election, López emphasised that the mechanism should focus on implementation of existing commitments, stating the need to move from agreements to ‘concrete results.’ She underlined that the process remains intergovernmental and should be guided by consensus among member states.

The session adopted its provisional agenda and proceeded with a general exchange of views among delegations.

Several regional groups outlined priorities for the mechanism. Nigeria, speaking on behalf of the African Group, highlighted capacity development as a cross-cutting priority and pointed to cybersecurity threats affecting developing countries, including ransomware and attacks on critical infrastructure.

The Pacific Islands Forum, represented by the Solomon Islands, emphasised the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States and called for practical implementation of agreed measures.

The Arab Group and the European Union also stressed the importance of translating existing frameworks into action, with the EU highlighting the need to enhance implementation of the agreed framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.

Across statements, delegations highlighted several common priorities, including:

strengthening capacity development efforts;
addressing ransomware and threats to critical infrastructure;
advancing the application of international law in cyberspace;
ensuring that the mechanism builds on the outcomes of the previous Open-Ended Working Group.

Member states also welcomed the establishment of two dedicated thematic groups, one focusing on substantive issues and another on capacity development, and called for clear mandates and coordination between them.

The Global Mechanism is mandated to advance discussions across five pillars:

threats
norms and principles
the application of international law
confidence-building measures
capacity development.

It will convene annual plenary sessions, thematic group meetings, and a review conference every five years, leading up to the 2030 review.

The organisational session marks the start of the mechanism’s substantive work as a permanent UN forum on ICT security.

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