Digital business models Archives | Page 322 of 568

Claude integrates Canva to power AI-first workflows

Claude AI has introduced integration with Canva, enabling users to generate and manage design content using simple text prompts. The new feature allows paid users to create presentations, edit visuals, and explore templates directly within Claude’s chat interface.

Alongside Canva, Claude now supports additional connectors like Notion, Stripe, and desktop apps like Figma and Prisma, expanding its ability to fetch and process data contextually. These integrations are powered by the open-source Model Context Protocol (MCP).

Canva’s head of ecosystem highlighted that users can now generate, summarise, and publish designs in one continuous workflow within Claude. The move represents another step toward AI-first productivity, removing the need for manual app-switching during the creative process.

Claude is the first AI assistant to enable Canva workflows through MCP, following recent partnerships with tools like Figma. A new integrations directory has also launched, helping users discover compatible apps for both web and desktop experiences.

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

Hungary enforces prison terms for unauthorised crypto trading

Hungary has introduced strict penalties for individuals and companies involved in unauthorised cryptocurrency trading or services. Under the updated Criminal Code, using unauthorised crypto exchanges can lead to two years in prison, with longer terms for larger trades.

Crypto service providers operating without authorisation face even harsher penalties. Sentences can reach up to eight years for transactions exceeding 500 million forints (around $1.46 million).

The updated law defines new offences such as ‘abuse of crypto-assets’, aiming to impose stricter control over the sector.

The implementation has caused confusion among crypto companies, with Hungary’s Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs (SZTFH) yet to publish compliance guidelines. Businesses now face a 60-day regulatory vacuum with no clear direction.

UK fintech firm Revolut responded by briefly halting crypto services in Hungary, citing the new legislation. It has since reinstated crypto withdrawals, while its EU entity works towards securing a regional crypto licence.

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

Bitcoin breaks $118,000 as altcoins rally

Bitcoin surged to $118,245 early today, marking a 1.1% increase over 24 hours and an 8.7% rise over the past week. Both institutional and retail investors have maintained a strong interest, supporting Bitcoin’s steady upward trend.

Ethereum followed closely, trading near $3,160 with a 5.9% daily gain and a 20.1% weekly increase. Network activity and capital inflows contributed to Ethereum’s robust performance.

XRP stood out with a 26% weekly gain, reaching $2.93 amid high trading volumes exceeding $6 billion in 24 hours.

Other notable altcoins such as Cardano, Dogecoin, and Solana also posted solid weekly gains between 6.8% and 25.2%. Meanwhile, TRON showed steady growth, supported by consistent trading activity. The Lido Staked Ether token mirrored Ethereum’s rise, reflecting growing demand for liquid staking.

Among smaller tokens, Seraph led daily gains with a 53.3% increase, followed closely by Mamo and Renzo. The market showed broad strength, with major cryptocurrencies driving renewed investor confidence and speculative interest.

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

Apple accused of blocking real browser competition on iOS

Developers and open web advocates say Apple continues to restrict rival browser engines on iOS, despite obligations under the EU’s Digital Markets Act. While Apple claims to allow competition, groups like Open Web Advocacy argue that technical and logistical hurdles still block real implementation.

The controversy centres on Apple’s refusal to allow developers to release region-specific browser versions or test new engines outside the EU. Developers must abandon global apps or persuade users to switch manually to new EU-only versions, creating friction and reducing reach.

Apple insists it upholds security and privacy standards built over 18 years and claims its new framework enables third-party browsers. However, critics say those browsers cannot be tested or deployed realistically without access for developers outside the EU.

The EU held a DMA compliance workshop in Brussels in June, during which tensions surfaced between Apple’s legal team and advocates. Apple says it is still transitioning and working with firms like Mozilla and Google on limited testing updates, but has offered no timeline for broader changes.

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

El Salvador’s Bitcoin reserves surge past $760 million

El Salvador’s national Bitcoin stash has soared past $760 million following the latest price surge above $123,000, marking a major milestone in President Nayib Bukele’s crypto strategy. With more than 6,237 BTC in reserves, purchased at an average of $42,000, the country’s investment has nearly tripled in value.

President Bukele first made Bitcoin legal tender in 2021, enduring global backlash, internal debate, and a long bear market. Despite international pressure, including proposed US legislation and IMF disapproval, the country has continued adding to its Bitcoin reserves.

Some analysts view El Salvador’s gains as a potential model for other governments. Pranav Agarwal called El Salvador’s gains a strong case for sovereign crypto reserves, noting such strategies can pay off over several years.

Bitcoin’s continued climb is also attracting market attention, with analysts pointing to $124,000–$125,000 as the next target. For now, El Salvador’s bold move is reshaping the conversation around crypto and national finance.

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

Oracle commits billions to expand AI infrastructure in Europe

Oracle has confirmed a $3 billion investment in its AI and cloud infrastructure across Germany and the Netherlands over the next five years. The move aims to boost its capacity in Europe as demand for advanced computing services continues to rise.

The company plans to invest $2 billion in Germany and $1 billion in the Netherlands, joining other major tech firms ramping up data centre infrastructure. Oracle’s strategy reflects broader market trends, with companies like Meta and Amazon committing large sums to meet AI-driven cloud needs.

The firm expects capital expenditure to exceed $25 billion in fiscal 2026, primarily focused on expanding data centre capabilities for AI. Analysts say Oracle’s AI and cloud services are increasingly competitive with traditional software, fuelling its strong performance this year.

Oracle shares have climbed nearly 38% since January, with a recent regulatory filing revealing a future deal worth over $30 billion in annual revenue beginning in 2028. The company sees its growing infrastructure as key to accelerating revenue and profit.

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

Trump launches $70 billion AI and energy investment plan

President Donald Trump has announced a $70 billion initiative to strengthen America’s energy and data infrastructure to meet growing AI-driven demand. The plan was revealed at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Energy & Innovation Summit, with over 60 primary energy and tech CEOs in attendance.

The investment will prioritise US states such as Pennsylvania, Texas, and Georgia, where energy grids are increasingly under pressure due to rising data centre usage. Part of the funding will come from federal-private partnerships, alongside potential reforms led by the Department of Energy.

Analysts suggest the plan redirect federal support away from wind and solar energy in favour of nuclear and fossil fuel development. The proposal may also scale back green tax credits introduced under the Inflation Reduction Act, potentially affecting more than 300 gigawatts of renewable capacity.

The package includes a project to transform a disused steel mill in Aliquippa into a large-scale data centre hub, forming part of a broader strategy to establish new AI-energy corridors. Critics argue the plan could prioritise legacy systems over decarbonisation, even as AI pushes infrastructure to its limits.

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

Online health search grows, but scepticism about AI stays high

Trust in traditional healthcare providers remains high, but Americans are increasingly turning to AI for health information, according to new data from the Annenberg Public Policy Centre (APPC).

While 90% of adults trust their personal health provider, nearly 8 in 10 say they are likely to look online for answers to health-related questions. The rise of the internet gave the public access to government health authorities such as the CDC, FDA, and NIH.

Although trust in these institutions dipped during the Covid-19 pandemic, confidence remains relatively high at 66%–68%. Generative AI tools are now becoming a third key source of health information.

AI-generated summaries — such as Google’s ‘AI Overviews‘ or Bing’s ‘Copilot Answers’ — appear prominently in search results.

Despite disclaimers that responses may contain mistakes, nearly two-thirds (63%) of online health searchers find these responses somewhat or very reliable. Around 31% report often or always finding the answers they need in the summaries.

Public attitudes towards AI in clinical settings remain more cautious. Nearly half (49%) of US adults say they are not comfortable with providers using AI tools instead of their own experience. About 36% express some level of comfort, while 41% believe providers are already using AI at least occasionally.

AI use is growing, but most online health seekers continue exploring beyond the initial summary. Two-thirds follow links to websites such as Mayo Clinic, WebMD, or non-profit organisations like the American Heart Association. Federal resources such as the CDC and NIH are also consulted.

Younger users are more likely to recognise and interact with AI summaries. Among those aged 18 to 49, between 69% and 75% have seen AI-generated content in search results, compared to just 49% of users over 65.

Despite high smartphone ownership (93%), only 59% of users track their health with apps. Among these, 52% are likely to share data with a provider, although 36% say they would not. Most respondents (80%) welcome prescription alerts from pharmacies.

The survey, fielded in April 2025 among 1,653 US adults, highlights growing reliance on AI for health information but also reveals concerns about its use in professional medical decision-making. APPC experts urge greater transparency and caution, especially for vulnerable users who may not understand the limitations of AI-generated content.

Director Kathleen Hall Jamieson warns that confusing AI-generated summaries with professional guidance could cause harm. Analyst Laura A. Gibson adds that outdated information may persist in AI platforms, reinforcing the need for user scepticism.

As the public turns to digital health tools, researchers recommend clearer policies, increased transparency, and greater diversity in AI development to ensure safe and inclusive outcomes.

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

Google expands NotebookLM with curated content and mobile access

While Gemini often dominates attention in Google’s AI portfolio, other innovative tools deserve the spotlight. One standout is NotebookLM, a virtual research assistant that helps users organise and interact with complex information across various subjects.

NotebookLM creates structured notebooks from curated materials, allowing meaningful engagement with the content. It supports dynamic features, including summaries and transformation options like Audio Overview, making research tasks more intuitive and efficient.

According to Google, featured notebooks are built using information from respected authors, academic institutions, and trusted nonprofits. Current topics include Shakespeare, Yellowstone National Park and more, offering a wide spectrum of well-sourced material.

Featured notebooks function just like regular ones, with added editorial quality. Users can navigate, explore, and repurpose content in ways that support individual learning and project needs. Google has confirmed the collection will grow over time.

NotebookLM remains in early development, yet the tool already shows potential for transforming everyday research tasks. Google also plans tighter integration with its other productivity tools, including Docs and Slides.

The tool significantly reduces the effort traditionally required for academic or creative research. Structured data presentation, combined with interactive features, makes information easier to consume and act upon.

NotebookLM was initially released on desktop but is now also available as a mobile app. Users can download it via the Google Play Store to create notebooks, add content, and stay productive from anywhere.

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

GPAI Code of Practice creates legal uncertainty for non-signatories

Lawyers at William Fry say the EU’s final Code of Practice for general-purpose AI (GPAI) models leaves key questio n s unanswered. GPAI systems include models such as OpenAI’s GPT-4, Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, and Meta’s Llama, trained on vast datasets for broad applications.

The Code of Practice, released last week, addresses transparency, safety, security, and copyright, and is described by the European Commission as a voluntary tool. It was prepared by independent experts to help GPAI developers comply with upcoming legal obligations under the EU AI Act.

In a statement on the firm’s website, William Fry lawyers Barry Scannell and Leo Moore question how voluntary the code truly is. They note that signatories not in full compliance can still be seen as acting in good faith and will be supported rather than penalised.

A protected grace period runs until 2 August 2026, after which the AI Act could allow fines for non-compliance. The lawyers warn that this creates a two-tier system, shielding signatories while exposing non-signatories to immediate legal risk under the AI Act.

Developers who do not sign the code may face higher regulatory scrutiny, despite it being described as non-binding. William Fry also points out that detailed implementation guidelines and templates have not yet been published by the EU.

Additional guidance to clarify key GPAI concepts is expected later this month, but the current lack of detail creates uncertainty. The code’s copyright section, the lawyers argue, shows how the document has evolved into a quasi-regulatory framework.

An earlier draft required only reasonable efforts to avoid copyright-infringing sources. The final version demands the active exclusion of such sites. A proposed measure requiring developers to verify the source of copyrighted data acquired from third parties has been removed from the final draft.

The lawyers argue that this creates a practical blind spot, allowing unlawful content to slip into training data undetected. Rights holders still retain the ability to pursue action if they believe their content was misused, even if providers are signatories.

Meanwhile, the transparency chapter now outlines specific standards, rather than general principles. The safety and security section also sets enforceable expectations, increasing the operational burden on model developers.

William Fry warns that gaps between the code’s obligations and the missing technical documentation could have costly consequences. They conclude that, without the final training data template or implementation details, both developers and rights holders face compliance risks.

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