Sustainable development

Joint quantum partnership unites Canada and Denmark for global research leadership

Canada and Denmark have signed a joint statement to deepen collaboration in quantum research and innovation.

The agreement, announced at the European Quantum Technologies Conference 2025 in Copenhagen, reflects both countries’ commitment to advancing quantum science responsibly while promoting shared values of openness, ethics and excellence.

Under the partnership, the two nations will enhance research and development ties, encourage open data sharing, and cultivate a skilled talent pipeline. They also aim to boost global competitiveness in quantum technologies, fostering new opportunities for market expansion and secure supply chains.

Canadian Minister Mélanie Joly highlighted that the cooperation showcases a shared ambition to accelerate progress in health care, clean energy and defence.

Denmark’s Minister for Higher Education and Science, Christina Egelund, described Canada as a vital partner in scientific innovation. At the same time, Minister Evan Solomon stressed the agreement’s role in empowering researchers to deliver breakthroughs that shape the future of quantum technologies.

Both Canada and Denmark are recognised as global leaders in quantum science, working together through initiatives such as the NATO Transatlantic Quantum Community.

A partnership that supports Canada’s National Quantum Strategy, launched in 2023, and reinforces its shared goal of driving innovation for sustainable growth and collective security.

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

Courts signal limits on AI in legal proceedings

A High Court judge warned that a solicitor who pushed an expert to accept an AI-generated draft breached their duty. Mr Justice Waksman called it a gross breach and cited a case from the latest survey.
He noted 14% of experts would accept such terms, which is unacceptable.

Updated guidance clarifies what limited judicial AI use is permissible. Judges may use a private ChatGPT 365 for summaries with confidential prompts. There is no duty to disclose, but the judgment must be the judge’s own.

Waksman cautioned against legal research or analysis done by AI. Hallucinated authorities and fake citations have already appeared. Experts must not let AI answer the questions they are retained to decide.

Survey findings show wider use of AI for drafting and summaries. Waksman drew a bright line between back-office aids and core duties. Convenience cannot trump independence, accuracy and accountability.

For practitioners, two rules follow. Solicitors must not foist AI-drafted expert opinions, and experts should refuse. Within courts, limited, non-determinative AI may assist, but outcomes must be human.

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

Data infrastructure growth in India raises environmental concerns

India’s data centre market is expanding rapidly, driven by rapid AI adoption, mobile internet growth, and massive foreign investment from firms such as Google, Amazon and Meta. The sector is projected to expand 77% by 2027, with billions more expected to be spent on capacity by 2030.

Rapid expansion of energy-hungry and water-intensive facilities is creating serious sustainability challenges, particularly in water-scarce urban clusters like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Experts warn that by 2030, India’s data centre water consumption could reach 358 billion litres, risking shortages for local communities and critical services in India.

Authorities and industry players are exploring solutions including treated wastewater, low-stress basin selection, and zero-water cooling technologies to mitigate environmental impact. Officials also highlight the need to mandate renewable energy use to balance India’s digital ambitions with decarbonisation goals.

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

Oracle and Ci4CC join forces to advance AI in cancer research

Oracle Health and Life Sciences has announced a strategic collaboration with the Cancer Center Informatics Society (Ci4CC) to accelerate AI innovation in oncology. The partnership unites Oracle’s healthcare technology with Ci4CC’s national network of cancer research institutions.

The two organisations plan to co-develop an electronic health record system tailored to oncology, integrating clinical and genomic data for more effective personalised medicine. They also aim to explore AI-driven drug development to enhance research and patient outcomes.

Oracle executives said the collaboration represents an opportunity to use advanced AI applications to transform cancer research. The Ci4CC President highlighted the importance of collective innovation, noting that progress in oncology relies on shared data and cross-institution collaboration.

The agreement, announced at Ci4CC’s annual symposium in Miami Beach US, remains non-binding but signals growing momentum in AI-driven precision medicine. Both organisations see the initiative as a step towards turning medical data into actionable insights that could redefine oncology care.

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

Companies call back workers as AI fails to replace jobs

As interest in AI grows, many companies that previously cut staff are now rehiring some of the same employees. Visier data shows about 5.3 percent of laid-off workers have returned, marking a steady but rising trend.

The findings suggest AI adoption has not yet replaced human labour at the scale some executives anticipated.

Visier’s analysis of 2.4 million employees across 142 global companies indicates that AI tools often automate parts of tasks rather than entire jobs. Experts say organisations are realising that AI implementation costs, including infrastructure, data systems, and security, often exceed initial projections.

Many companies now rely on experienced staff to manage or complement AI tools effectively.

Industry observers highlight a gap between expectations and outcomes. MIT research shows around 95 percent of firms have yet to see measurable financial returns from AI investments.

Cost-cutting measures such as layoffs also carry hidden expenses, with estimates suggesting companies spend $1.27 for every $1 saved when reducing staff.

Executives are urged to carefully assess AI’s true impact before assuming workforce reductions will deliver long-term savings. Rehiring former employees has become a practical response to bridge skill gaps and ensure technology integration succeeds without disrupting operations.

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

AI conference in Egypt promotes innovation for a greener future

The National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) and Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST) jointly hosted a conference titled Artificial Intelligence for Environmental Sustainability.
The event focused on using technology to tackle global environmental challenges.

The conference aimed to advance research and innovation in applying artificial intelligence (AI) to support sustainable development.

Experts and academics discussed how AI can enhance environmental protection through smarter data analysis, improved monitoring systems, and reduced carbon emissions. The sessions explored AI’s role in promoting sustainability and highlighted new applications designed to manage resources more efficiently.

Students from MUST’s Faculty of Information Technology presented projects that showcased practical AI solutions for building a greener future. Their work reflected the conference’s goal of encouraging collaboration and applied research to address urgent environmental issues.

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

UNDP and Algorand launch blockchain training for 24,000 staff

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially expanded its Blockchain Academy to reach 24,000 personnel worldwide, including staff from UNDP, UN Volunteers, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

The initiative, launched in partnership with the Algorand Foundation, aims to strengthen understanding and practical use of blockchain technology to support sustainable development goals.

The academy’s expanded curriculum builds on a successful beta phase that certified over 30 UN personnel and introduced 18 hours of specialised training. It now offers advanced modules to help UN staff design transparent and efficient blockchain solutions for real-world challenges.

The training also fosters a collaborative network where participants share best practices and develop blockchain-driven projects across global programmes.

UNDP has used blockchain since 2015 to boost transparency and inclusion, from tracking supply chains to supporting energy trading and digital investments. Through its Algorand partnership, UNDP aims to speed up blockchain adoption by offering technical support and project incubation for scalable sustainable impact.

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

Anthropic strengthens European growth through Paris and Munich offices

AI firm Anthropic is expanding its European presence by opening new offices in Paris and Munich, strengthening its footprint alongside existing hubs in London, Dublin, and Zurich.

An expansion that follows rapid growth across the EMEA region, where the company has tripled its workforce and seen a ninefold increase in annual run-rate revenue.

The move comes as European businesses increasingly rely on Claude for critical enterprise tasks. Companies such as L’Oréal, BMW, SAP, and Sanofi are using the AI model to enhance software, improve workflows, and ensure operational reliability.

Germany and France, both among the top 20 countries in Claude usage per capita, are now at the centre to Anthropic’s strategic expansion.

Anthropic is also strengthening its leadership team across Europe. Guillaume Princen will oversee startups and digital-native businesses, while Pip White and Thomas Remy will lead the northern and southern EMEA regions, respectively.

A new head will soon be announced for Central and Eastern Europe, reflecting the company’s growing regional reach.

Beyond commercial goals, Anthropic is partnering with European institutions to promote AI education and culture. It collaborates with the Light Art Space in Berlin, supports student hackathons through TUM.ai, and works with the French organisation Unaite to advance developer training.

These partnerships reinforce Anthropic’s long-term commitment to responsible AI growth across the continent.

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

Meta invests $600 billion to expand AI data centres across the US

A $600 billion investment aimed at boosting innovation, job creation, and sustainability is being launched in the US by Meta to expand its AI infrastructure.

Instead of outsourcing development, the company is building its new generation of AI data centres domestically, reinforcing America’s leadership in technology and supporting local economies.

Since 2010, Meta’s data centre projects have supported more than 30,000 skilled trade jobs and 5,000 operational roles, generating $20 billion in business for US subcontractors. These facilities are designed to power Meta’s AI ambitions while driving regional economic growth.

The company emphasises responsible development by investing heavily in renewable energy and water efficiency. Its projects have added 15 gigawatts of new energy to US power grids, upgraded local infrastructure, and helped restore water systems in surrounding communities.

Meta aims to become fully water positive by 2030.

Beyond infrastructure, Meta has channelled $58 million into community grants for schools, nonprofits, and local initiatives, including STEM education and veteran training programmes.

As AI grows increasingly central to digital progress, Meta’s continued investment in sustainable, community-focused data centres underscores its vision for a connected, intelligent future built within the US.

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

Inside OpenAI’s battle to protect AI from prompt injection attacks

OpenAI has identified prompt injection as one of the most pressing new challenges in AI security. As AI systems gain the ability to browse the web, handle personal data and act on users’ behalf, they become targets for malicious instructions hidden within online content.

These attacks, known as prompt injections, can trick AI models into taking unintended actions or revealing sensitive information.

To counter the issue, OpenAI has adopted a multi-layered defence strategy that combines safety training, automated monitoring and system-level security protections. The company’s research into ‘Instruction Hierarchy’ aims to help models distinguish between trusted and untrusted commands.

Continuous red-teaming and automated detection systems further strengthen resilience against evolving threats.

OpenAI also provides users with greater control, featuring built-in safeguards such as approval prompts before sensitive actions, sandboxing for code execution, and ‘Watch Mode’ when operating on financial or confidential sites.

These measures ensure that users remain aware of what actions AI agents perform on their behalf.

While prompt injection remains a developing risk, OpenAI expects adversaries to devote significant resources to exploiting it. The company continues to invest in research and transparency, aiming to make AI systems as secure and trustworthy as a cautious, well-informed human colleague.

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