Digital cooperation

OECD maps AI and citizen participation

The OECD has published a report examining how AI could support citizen participation and democratic innovation while highlighting the safeguards needed for its responsible use.

The report, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Citizen Participation, was approved and declassified by the OECD Public Governance Committee on 22 June 2026. It was produced as part of the OECD Public Governance Reviews series in collaboration with the Bertelsmann Stiftung.

The report says public participation can help governments design better policies and strengthen trust. It cites OECD trust findings showing that people who feel they have a say in government decisions are far more likely to report high trust in government.

The OECD notes that governments have long relied on digital technologies, including online platforms and civic tech tools, to expand public participation. AI represents the next stage of this evolution, with governments increasingly experimenting with tools for consultation, deliberation, communication and policy analysis.

The report is based on desk research and analysis of 50 AI use cases in participation processes from 22 OECD member and partner countries. It proposes a typology to help public officials and practitioners understand where AI tools may be useful and what challenges they may address.

Based on an analysis of 50 AI use cases from 22 OECD member and partner countries, the report proposes a typology covering nine categories of AI applications, including information development, sense-making, translation, transcription, virtual assistance, moderation, facilitation, simulation and participation architecture.

These tools can support both front-office activities, where citizens interact directly with government, and back-office activities, where public administrations design, analyse and manage processes internally.

According to the OECD, AI could make participation processes more accessible and efficient by helping governments analyse large volumes of public input, improve communication, reduce administrative costs and broaden participation.

Sense-making tools can help analyse large amounts of text submitted during consultations. Translation and transcription tools can make processes more accessible across languages and formats, while virtual assistants can help people navigate information about citizen participation opportunities.

AI can also support moderation and facilitation. The report says such tools may help prevent spam, hate speech or manipulation in online discussions, and could support live deliberation by identifying common ground or structuring debate.

However, the OECD cautions against treating AI as a simple fix for democratic challenges. It says technology alone cannot solve problems such as weak links between participation processes and actual policy decisions.

The report also highlights ethical, operational and societal risks, including algorithmic bias, opaque decision-making, hallucinations, cybersecurity threats, digital exclusion and declining public trust if AI systems are poorly designed or deployed.

The OECD also highlights the risks of inaction, noting that governments may miss valuable opportunities if they avoid AI tools even when they could be applied responsibly.

The report says governments should establish guardrails for AI use in citizen participation, including transparency, compliance with democratic values, protection of civic space, attention to data divides and low-tech alternatives for citizens with limited digital access.

It also calls for stronger enablers, including AI literacy, skills development, citizen engagement in the design and governance of AI systems, open standards where appropriate, and support for scaling successful pilots.

The OECD concludes that most public-sector use of AI in citizen participation remains experimental. It argues that lasting benefits will depend on transparent governance, human oversight and continued efforts to strengthen democratic participation beyond technology alone.

Why does it matter?

Governments are increasingly exploring AI as a way to make public participation more accessible, scalable and responsive. The OECD’s report shows that AI can support consultation, deliberation and policy analysis, but only when accompanied by safeguards that protect transparency, inclusion and democratic accountability.

The report also reinforces a broader shift in AI governance from technical capability to institutional design. By emphasising human oversight, civic participation, digital inclusion and democratic values, the OECD argues that AI should enhance, not replace, the processes that underpin public trust and democratic decision-making.

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HP adopts OpenAI Frontier for enterprise AI

HP has announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI to integrate OpenAI Frontier across parts of its customer-facing services and internal operations.

The company said the partnership supports its broader future-of-work strategy, with an initial focus on customer experience, partner services, employee productivity and software development.

HP plans to use OpenAI Frontier to create a more consistent experience across its retail, partner, chat and voice channels, helping customers and partners resolve routine queries and complete workflows more efficiently.

The company said it is among the first global enterprises to adopt the Frontier platform. While specific use cases will evolve over time, the initial focus includes customer and partner tools, telemetry insights through the Workforce Experience Platform, employee productivity and software development.

These include customer and partner-facing tools, customer telemetry insights and reporting through HP’s Workforce Experience Platform, employee productivity and software development.

The partnership follows an evaluation phase that began in February 2026, during which HP assessed OpenAI Frontier’s technical capabilities, enterprise integration, security features and potential business applications.

HP said it also tested agentic capabilities during the evaluation. The company said the results led it to conclude that OpenAI offers models and agent-based capabilities aligned with its strategic priorities.

HP and OpenAI now plan to co-develop future use cases. HP said these will need to meet its enterprise standards, particularly around data integration, governance and security.

OpenAI said HP had already used OpenAI APIs and tools such as ChatGPT and Codex in early projects. The companies said the new partnership is intended to move beyond pilots toward broader enterprise deployment.

HP also linked the partnership to its broader AI hardware strategy, saying it is developing agentic AI devices and dedicated hardware designed to support continuous AI inference and integrate seamlessly into workplace workflows.

For AI workloads that require continuous inference, HP said it is building devices with dedicated hardware optimised to run agentic AI workloads around the clock.

HP also pointed to its Workforce Experience Platform, which is used to manage device fleets and provide telemetry insights across PCs, workstations, printers and collaboration tools.

HP said the partnership reflects a broader shift from isolated AI pilots to enterprise-wide deployment, with AI increasingly serving as an operating layer embedded across customer services, software development and business operations.

Why does it matter?

The partnership illustrates how large enterprises are moving beyond experimental AI deployments towards organisation-wide integration. Rather than treating AI as a standalone application, companies are increasingly embedding it into customer support, software development, employee productivity and operational workflows.

It also highlights the growing importance of enterprise AI governance. As organisations deploy increasingly capable agentic systems, success will depend not only on model performance but also on secure integration, data governance and oversight that ensure AI can operate reliably within existing business processes.

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South Korea plans $518 billion semiconductor hub for AI demand

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have announced plans to invest a combined 800 trillion won, about $518 billion, in a new semiconductor manufacturing hub in South Korea’s southwest.

The two companies, which together produce around two-thirds of the world’s memory chips, will each build two new fabrication plants outside their existing manufacturing base in Gyeonggi Province.

Samsung’s new facilities are planned for the city of Gwangju, with several possible sites under consideration, including land linked to a military air base planned for relocation.

The investment responds to rising demand for memory chips used in AI data centres, industrial robotics and autonomous vehicles. Existing semiconductor facilities in Gyeonggi Province are expected to face capacity pressure sooner than previously projected.

South Korea’s government is also linking the project to a broader strategy to build a nationwide semiconductor ecosystem. Existing hubs in the Southeast are expected to expand chip component and material production. At the same time, the central Chungcheong region will focus on chip packaging, and data centres will be developed across the country.

The project also supports the government’s goal of spreading major technology investment beyond the Seoul metropolitan area, where much of the country’s semiconductor industry has historically been concentrated.

Why does it matter?

The planned investment shows how AI demand is driving long-term semiconductor capacity expansion at a national scale. Memory chips are central to AI data centres and high-performance computing, and Samsung and SK Hynix remain two of the most important suppliers in the global market. South Korea’s decision to link new chip fabrication with regional development also shows how AI infrastructure is becoming part of broader industrial and economic planning, not only technology strategy.

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Türkiye steps into quantum race with strategic roadmap

Türkiye has published an updated quantum technology roadmap, setting out 85 priority technology topics across quantum computing, quantum sensing and quantum communication.

The roadmap was developed through the Quantum Focus Technology Network (OTAĞ), coordinated by the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, Secretariat of Defence Industries. The process involved 305 experts from 123 institutions and organisations, including civilian and military stakeholders.

The roadmap classifies the 85 proposed technology topics into 34 near-term and 51 long-term priorities. Technologies were assessed using an analytical prioritisation method that considered Türkiye’s needs, existing capabilities, infrastructure, and end user requirements.

The strategy focuses on building domestic capability in quantum computing, sensing and communication by strengthening research infrastructure, developing skilled human capital and expanding cooperation between universities, industry, research centres and public institutions.

Priority steps include postgraduate programmes in quantum engineering and hardware technologies, researcher exchange and internship schemes, international research partnerships and critical infrastructure such as nanofabrication, cryogenic testing, precision measurement laboratories and sensor packaging.

The roadmap forms part of Türkiye’s wider effort to build a coordinated quantum ecosystem and improve its international competitiveness in a field with implications for cybersecurity, secure communications, advanced sensing and future computing.

Why does it matter?

Quantum technologies could reshape encryption, secure communications, sensing, navigation and high-performance computing. Türkiye’s roadmap is important because it turns quantum capability-building into a structured national programme with defence and strategic-technology relevance. By aligning universities, public institutions, industry and research centres around shared priorities, Türkiye is trying to reduce dependence on foreign technologies and position itself earlier in a field where global leadership is still being contested.

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OECD proposes policy priorities for AI use in SME sustainable finance

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a policy paper examining how AI and digital tools can help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) gain better access to sustainable finance, where they remain significantly underrepresented.

The paper maps practical applications of AI and digital tools across the entire financing lifecycle, from sustainability data generation and reporting by SMEs to loan origination, credit assessment and portfolio monitoring by financial institutions. The OECD notes that AI has the potential to support the front, middle and back office of lending operations rather than a single stage of the financing process.

Drawing on country examples and recent initiatives, the OECD argues that technological adoption must be accompanied by appropriate governance. It identifies four policy priorities: developing interoperable data infrastructure, strengthening verification mechanisms, creating incentives for SME sustainability reporting and ensuring accountable use of AI in financing decisions.

Why does it matter?

Small and medium-sized enterprises account for much of economic activity and employment but often struggle to access sustainable finance because they lack the resources to produce the data and reporting required by lenders and investors. AI could reduce these costs by automating data collection, reporting and credit assessment, making green finance more accessible to smaller businesses.

The OECD also emphasises that technology alone will not close the financing gap. Real progress depends on reliable data infrastructure, effective verification and clear governance to ensure AI-supported financing decisions are transparent, accountable and fair, preventing existing inequalities from being reinforced.

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UNESCO summit backs ethical AI governance in Latin America and the Caribbean

Representatives from more than 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries have met in Santo Domingo for a regional summit on AI ethics and governance.

The Third Ministerial and High-Level Authorities Summit on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Latin America and the Caribbean took place on 25 and 26 June in the Dominican Republic. It was organised by UNESCO, the Dominican Republic’s Government Office of Information and Communication Technologies (OGTIC), and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The summit brought together ministers, senior government officials, multilateral organisations, academics, private-sector representatives and civil society to strengthen regional cooperation and accelerate the implementation of public policies aligned with the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.

UNESCO said the meeting builds on earlier summits held in Santiago in 2023 and Montevideo in 2024, as well as ongoing work to develop a shared regional roadmap for responsible AI governance.

Anne Lemaistre, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, said AI presents significant opportunities but also challenges that require coordinated regional action.

Raquel Peña, Vice President of the Dominican Republic, said the region had decided to come together to address one of the greatest challenges of the time. She said the task is to harness AI’s potential while upholding the principles that should guide its development and use.

Peña also reaffirmed the Dominican Republic’s commitment to a human-centred approach to AI. She said AI must be developed and governed with ethics, responsibility, and a profoundly human vision.

Christian Asinelli, Corporate Vice President of Strategic Programming at CAF, said Latin America and the Caribbean should play a stronger role in shaping global AI governance rather than simply adapting to international developments.

Raúl Fuentes, European Union Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, said the EU wants to work with the region on practical solutions as well as shared principles. He said the AI component of the EU-Latin America and the Caribbean Digital Alliance is supporting knowledge exchange, innovation, sovereignty, and a human-centred approach.

During the summit, Dominican authorities announced the forthcoming adoption of a national Artificial Intelligence Code of Ethics, developed with input from government, academia, civil society and the private sector, and aligned with international standards.

Edgar Batista, Director General of OGTIC, said the initiative reinforces the Dominican Republic’s commitment to digital transformation centred on public value. He said the country will contribute actively to the development of regional standards for digital governance.

Delegations are discussing AI governance, institutional capacity, responsible innovation, and regional cooperation. The talks aim to support ethical and regulatory frameworks for safe, inclusive, and trustworthy technological development.

The Dominican Republic will also assume the Pro Tempore Presidency of the regional mechanism, reinforcing its role in promoting ethical, inclusive and sustainable AI governance across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Why does it matter?

The summit reflects growing efforts by Latin American and Caribbean countries to develop a shared approach to AI governance based on ethics, inclusion and sustainable development. Regional cooperation can help governments build institutional capacity, align regulatory approaches and ensure AI policies reflect local priorities rather than relying solely on frameworks developed elsewhere.

The meeting also highlights the increasing importance of regional voices in global AI governance. By grounding discussions in UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and strengthening collaboration among governments, international organisations and other stakeholders, the region is seeking to play a more active role in shaping international norms for trustworthy AI.

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Microsoft and Europol disrupt Amadey and StealC malware infrastructure

Microsoft has disrupted more than 200 command-and-control servers linked to Amadey and StealC, two widely used cybercrime tools that support credential theft, fraud and ransomware attacks.

The company’s Digital Crimes Unit said the action targeted the shared infrastructure behind the two tools rather than treating them as separate threats. In the first two weeks of May, Amadey and StealC were linked to more than 140,000 infected computers worldwide.

Amadey is often used to gain access to devices, while StealC is used to steal passwords and sensitive information. Microsoft said the tools form part of a wider cybercrime supply chain in which specialised malware services help attackers turn initial access into fraud, ransomware, espionage or other operations.

Microsoft said investigators used AI, including Copilot, to analyse malware and identify connections between the two tools more quickly. The company said the analysis helped its legal team treat both malware families as part of a single conspiracy under the US Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

The action was carried out with Europol and industry partners, including ESET, BitSight, Lumen and Mitsui Bussan Secure Directions. Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre also investigated StealC as part of Operation Endgame, alongside European law enforcement partners and cybersecurity companies, including IBM X-Force and Proofpoint.

Microsoft said it has identified more than 18,000 victim computers since the start of the operation and is working with telecommunications providers to help protect affected users.

The company said findings from the case will feed into its Statutory Automated Disruption programme, which accelerates the removal of malicious domains and infrastructure.

Why does it matter?

The operation reflects a shift in cybercrime disruption strategy. Instead of targeting one malware family or service at a time, Microsoft and its partners focused on the shared infrastructure that allows criminal tools to work together. That matters because modern cybercrime increasingly operates as a modular supply chain: one tool gains access, another steals credentials, and other actors monetise that access through fraud, ransomware or espionage. The use of AI to accelerate malware analysis also points to how defenders are trying to match the speed and scale of cybercriminal operations.

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EU signs Pax Silica Declaration on AI supply chains

The European Commission has signed the Pax Silica Declaration on behalf of the EU, joining an international initiative focused on AI security and resilient silicon supply chains.

Pax Silica is a US-led initiative that aims to strengthen cooperation among allies and trusted partners across the AI supply chain, from critical minerals and energy inputs to semiconductor manufacturing, AI infrastructure and logistics.

The Commission said secure access to silicon and related technologies is becoming increasingly important as AI reshapes economies, security and industrial competitiveness.

The declaration commits signatories to closer cooperation on trusted technology ecosystems and more resilient supply chains. It also aims to reduce strategic dependencies and improve coordination on the materials, infrastructure and manufacturing capacity needed for AI development.

The EU’s signature follows the adoption of the European Technological Sovereignty Package, which includes Chips Act 2.0 and measures to strengthen Europe’s capacity in semiconductors, AI, cloud and open-source technologies.

The Commission said participation in Pax Silica could support European businesses, strengthen international partnerships and contribute to Europe’s broader technological sovereignty objectives.

Why does it matter?

AI development depends on far more than models and software. Advanced chips, critical minerals, energy, manufacturing capacity, cloud infrastructure and logistics are becoming strategic layers of the AI economy. By joining Pax Silica, the EU is linking AI competitiveness and security to semiconductor supply-chain resilience and cooperation with trusted partners. The move also shows how digital sovereignty is increasingly pursued through both domestic capacity-building and selective international alignment.

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Ireland expands Trusted Flagger network under the DSA

Ireland’s media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, has granted Trusted Flagger status to three additional organisations under the EU Digital Services Act.

The Irish Internet Hotline, the Irish Music Rights Organisation and the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland will join the Central Bank of Ireland, which received Trusted Flagger status in 2025.

Each organisation will submit notices to online platforms within its area of expertise. The Irish Internet Hotline will report child sexual abuse material, non-consensual intimate image sharing, racism, xenophobia, financial scams and fraud. The Irish Music Rights Organisation will focus on copyright infringement, particularly music and lyrical copyright, while the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland will report illegal antisemitic material.

Under the Digital Services Act, Trusted Flaggers are recognised bodies that can notify platforms of illegal content. Platforms must give those notices priority and decide on them without undue delay, although the designation does not guarantee content removal.

Coimisiún na Meán said reports from Trusted Flaggers will also help identify online safety trends and support evidence-based supervision of online platforms.

To qualify, organisations must demonstrate expertise in detecting, identifying and notifying illegal content, operate independently from online platforms and carry out reporting activities diligently, accurately and objectively.

The three new accreditations will remain valid for 3 years and can be reviewed, revoked, or reassessed upon expiration of the accreditation period.

Why does it matter?

Trusted Flaggers are one of the practical enforcement mechanisms of the Digital Services Act. Ireland’s expansion of the network creates specialised reporting channels for different categories of illegal online content, including child sexual abuse material, non-consensual intimate images, scams, copyright infringement and antisemitic material. The model aims to improve the quality and speed of platform responses while keeping final moderation decisions with platforms under DSA procedures.

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EU approves tariff package under US trade agreement framework

The Council of the European Union has formally adopted two regulations implementing tariff commitments under the EU-US Joint Statement of 21 August 2025.

The adoption completes the EU legislative process for the tariff package, which aims to support a stable and predictable transatlantic trade relationship while preserving safeguards for European economic interests.

The regulations remove remaining EU customs duties on US industrial goods and introduce preferential market access for selected US seafood and non-sensitive agricultural products through tariff-rate quotas and reduced tariffs.

The package also extends the suspension of duties on lobster imports, including processed lobster, from all countries under most-favoured-nation rules.

The regulations include strengthened safeguards and suspension mechanisms. These would allow the Commission to respond to significant import surges that cause or threaten serious injury to the EU operators, and to suspend tariff preferences if the US does not respect its commitments or disrupts balanced trade relations.

The regulations will enter into force the day after publication in the Official Journal. The main regulation will apply until the end of 2029, while the lobster regulation will apply retroactively from 1 August 2025 and expire on 31 July 2030 unless further action is taken.

The Council said EU-US trade in goods and services surpassed €1.7 trillion in 2025, underlining the scale of the transatlantic economic relationship.

Why does it matter?

The decision gives legal effect to the EU side of the tariff commitments in the 2025 EU-US Joint Statement. It shows how transatlantic trade policy is being managed through tariff reductions paired with safeguard tools, allowing the EU to preserve market access while retaining the ability to respond to disruption or non-compliance. For DW, the relevance is indirect but still useful: EU-US trade stability affects supply chains, industrial competitiveness and the broader economic environment in which digital and technology sectors operate.

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