The US General Services Administration (GSA) has launched a OneGov initiative with Meta to give federal agencies streamlined access to Llama, its open source AI models. The approach eliminates individual agency negotiations, saving time and reducing duplicated work across departments.
The initiative supports America’s AI Action Plan and federal memoranda, promoting the government’s accelerated and efficient use of AI. Rapid access to Llama aims to boost innovation, governance, public trust, and operational efficiency.
Open source Llama models allow federal teams to maintain complete control over data processing and storage. Agencies can build, deploy, and scale AI applications at lower cost, enhancing public services while delivering value to taxpayers.
Meta’s free access to the models further enables agencies to develop tailored solutions without reliance on proprietary platforms.
Collaboration between GSA and Meta ensures federal requirements are met while providing consistent department access. The arrangement enhances the government’s ability to implement AI while promoting transparency, reproducibility, and flexible mission-specific applications.
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OpenAI and NVIDIA have announced a strategic partnership to build at least 10 gigawatts of AI data centres powered by millions of NVIDIA GPUs.
A deal, supported by the investment of up to $100 billion from NVIDIA, that aims to provide the infrastructure for OpenAI’s next generation of models, with the first phase scheduled for late 2026 on the NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform.
The companies said the collaboration will enable the development of AGI and accelerate AI adoption worldwide. OpenAI will treat NVIDIA as its preferred strategic compute and networking partner, coordinating both sides’ hardware and software roadmaps.
They will also continue working with Microsoft, Oracle, SoftBank and other partners to build advanced AI infrastructure.
OpenAI has grown to more than 700 million weekly users across businesses and developers globally. Executives at both firms described the new partnership as the next leap in AI computing power, one intended to fuel innovation at scale instead of incremental improvements.
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A leading AI developer has released the third iteration of its Frontier Safety Framework (FSF), aiming to identify and mitigate severe risks from advanced AI models. The update expands risk domains and refines the process for assessing potential threats.
Key changes include the introduction of a Critical Capability Level (CCL) focused on harmful manipulation. The update targets AI models with the potential to systematically influence beliefs and behaviours in high-stakes contexts, ensuring safety measures keep pace with growing model capabilities.
The framework also enhances protocols for misalignment risks, addressing scenarios where AI could override operators’ control or shutdown attempts. Safety case reviews are now conducted before external launches and large-scale internal deployments reach critical thresholds.
The updated FSF sharpens risk assessments and applies safety and security mitigations in proportion to threat severity. It reflects a commitment to evidence-based AI governance, expert collaboration, and ensuring AI benefits humanity while minimising risks.
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Implementation of CARF in the UAE is scheduled for 2027, with the first exchange of information expected in 2028. The framework will enable automatic sharing of crypto tax data, providing greater certainty for the sector and reinforcing global transparency.
Authorities are calling on stakeholders across the crypto-asset ecosystem, including intermediaries, exchanges, custodians and traders, to contribute to a public consultation on the implementation of CARF.
The consultation, which opened on 15 September 2025 and runs until 8 November 2025, seeks expert input to help shape regulatory rules aligned with market needs.
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The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hajia Memounatou Ibrahima, has urged lawmakers to embrace AI to strengthen legislative work and democratic governance across West Africa.
Speaking at the Parliament’s 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, she said AI could improve communication with citizens, support regulatory frameworks, and drive inclusive growth.
Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, highlighted AI’s potential to enhance efficiency, accountability and oversight while cautioning lawmakers to examine associated risks.
Nigerian ambassador Ahmed Dunoma, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed that AI is already shaping education and security sectors. He called for proactive guidance to ensure its deployment deepens integration and safeguards democracy.
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Amazon is meeting world leaders at the 80th UN General Assembly to share its vision for responsible AI and global internet access. The company highlighted Project Kuiper’s satellite initiative to provide affordable internet to underserved communities and bridge the digital divide.
The initiative aims to deliver fast, affordable internet to communities without access, boosting education and economic opportunities. Connectivity is presented as essential for participation in the modern economy, as well as for cultural and knowledge exchange across the globe.
Amazon emphasised the development of AI tools that are responsible, inclusive, and designed to enhance human potential. The company aims to make technology accessible, helping small businesses, speeding research, and offering tools once reserved for large organisations.
Collaboration remains central to Amazon’s approach. The company plans to work with governments, the UN, civil society, and other private sector partners to ensure technological advancements benefit humanity while mitigating potential risks.
Discussions at UNGA80 are expected to shape future strategies for innovation, governance, and sustainable development.
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Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has confirmed its factories will remain closed until at least 1 October, extending a shutdown triggered by a cyber-attack in late August.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Industry Minister Chris McDonald are meeting JLR and its suppliers, as fears mount that small firms in the supply chain could collapse without the support of the August cyberattack.
The disruption, estimated to cost JLR £50m per week, affects UK plants in Solihull, Halewood and Wolverhampton. About 30,000 people work directly for JLR, with a further 100,000 in its supply chain.
Unions say some supplier staff have been laid off with little or no pay, forcing them to seek Universal Credit. Unite has called for a furlough-style scheme, while MPs have pressed the government to consider emergency loans.
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The European Commission is collaborating with the EU capitals to narrow the list of proposals for large AI training hubs, known as AI Gigafactories. The €20 billion plan will be funded by the Commission (17%), the EU countries (17%), and industry (66%) to boost computing capacity for European developers.
The first call drew 76 proposals from 16 countries, far exceeding the initially planned four or five facilities. Most submissions must be merged or dropped, with Poland already seeking a joint bid with the Baltic states as talks continue.
Some EU members will inevitably lose out, with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, hinting that priority could be given to countries already hosting AI Factories. That could benefit Finland, whose Lumi supercomputer is part of a Nokia-led bid to scale up into a Gigafactory.
The plan has raised concerns that Europe’s efforts come too late, as US tech giants invest heavily in larger AI hubs. Still, Brussels hopes its initiative will allow EU developers to compete globally while maintaining control over critical AI infrastructure.
A formal call for proposals is expected by the end of the year, once the legal framework is finalised. Selection criteria and funding conditions will be set to launch construction as early as 2026.
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South Korea has secured a significant partnership with BlackRock to accelerate its ambition of becoming Asia’s leading AI hub. The agreement will see the global asset manager join the Ministry of Science and ICT in developing hyperscale AI data centres.
A deal that followed a meeting between President Lee Jae Myung and BlackRock chair Larry Fink, who pledged to attract large-scale international investment into the country’s AI infrastructure.
Although no figures were disclosed, the partnership is expected to focus on meeting rising demand from domestic users and the wider Asia-Pacific region, with renewable energy powering the facilities.
The move comes as Seoul increases national funding for AI, semiconductors and other strategic technologies to KRW150 trillion ($107.7 billion). South Korean companies are also stepping up efforts, with SK Telecom announcing plans to raise AI investment to a third of its revenue over five years.
BlackRock’s involvement signals international confidence in South Korea’s long-term vision to position itself as a regional AI powerhouse and secure a leadership role in next-generation digital infrastructure.
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Standing 1.75 metres tall and weighing 32 kilograms, Xueba 01 has become the first robot doctoral student at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Over the next four years, it will study digital performance design, focusing on traditional Chinese opera movements and techniques.
The programme, launched in partnership with the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, combines technical and artistic training. USST provides technical guidance, while STA develops the robot’s artistic performance, focusing on interaction, expression, and cognitive growth.
Xueba 01 features an advanced tendon-based bionic structure, human-like facial technology, and the ability to perform over 100 lifelike expressions. Based on audience feedback, it can adjust its height and appearance, perform for extended periods, and adapt its performance in real time.
Motion capture technology helps it learn from professional performers to refine movements and gestures.
STA faculty highlight the robot’s role in exploring the intersection of art and technology. The initiative aims to integrate AI with traditional Chinese arts, preserve cultural heritage, and inspire contemporary artists to combine technological literacy with humanistic and interdisciplinary skills.
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