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Spain reports higher removal of online hate speech content

Spain’s Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia identified 31,003 pieces of hate speech and discriminatory content on social media in May 2026, according to its monthly monitoring report.

The Observatory, known as OBERAXE, said digital platforms removed 65% of notified content, up from 56% in April. TikTok, X and Instagram recorded the highest removal rates, while the Trusted Flagger route continued to perform better than ordinary user reporting.

Trusted Flagger notifications accounted for 53% of removed content, compared with 48% in April. Content reported through ordinary user channels reached a removal rate of 12%, up from 8% the previous month.

The report found that 73% of detected content presented targeted groups as a threat, while dehumanising and severely degrading messages increased sharply compared with April. It also recorded frequent use of aggressive language and growing reliance on images, videos, memes and coded expressions.

People from North Africa remained the main target of online hate speech, followed by African and Afro-descendant people and Roma people. Narratives linked to citizen insecurity accounted for the largest share of detected content, followed by content related to social benefits and access to public resources.

OBERAXE said continued cooperation with digital platforms is essential to improve detection, removal procedures and policies aimed at combating discrimination online.

Why does it matter?

The report shows how hate speech monitoring is becoming part of platform governance and anti-discrimination policy. Spain’s data suggest that trusted reporting channels can improve removal rates, but the scale and persistence of hostile narratives show the limits of reactive moderation. The findings also raise wider questions about transparency, platform accountability and how governments can address online hate while protecting freedom of expression.

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Beijing publishing forum calls for AI copyright standards

Publishing leaders and professionals have called for clearer copyright rules and industry standards for the use of AI in publishing, following discussions at the 2026 International Publishing Forum in Beijing.

The forum, held during the Beijing International Book Fair, brought together nearly 300 publishing executives and professionals from 26 countries and regions. It was jointly organised by the Publishers Association of China and the International Publishers Association.

Participants discussed how AI is reshaping publishing workflows, content production and distribution. They said AI should support, rather than replace, human creativity, with human-machine collaboration helping publishers improve efficiency and expand access to high-quality content.

Speakers also warned that the industry must protect intellectual property, preserve the authenticity and credibility of content, and support linguistic diversity as AI-generated material becomes more widely used.

Participants called for international cooperation on standards and copyright frameworks for AI applications in publishing. They said such rules should define rights and responsibilities, support fair compensation and ensure source traceability.

The discussions reflect growing concern in the publishing sector over how AI systems use copyrighted works, how original creators are recognised, and how publishers can maintain trust in content as synthetic media and automated production tools spread.

Why does it matter?

The forum highlights a central concern for creative industries: AI can improve publishing workflows and content distribution, but it also raises unresolved questions about copyright, attribution, compensation and authenticity. For publishers and authors, clear standards on source traceability and rights could become essential as AI-generated or AI-assisted content becomes more common.

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AI, sovereignty and infrastructure dominate the opening day of VivaTech 2026

The opening day of Viva Technology 2026 in Paris highlighted the growing influence of AI, with discussions focusing on execution, digital sovereignty and the infrastructure needed to support rapid technological change.

Jeff Bezos introduced Prometheus, an AI venture focused on physical engineering applications, while consultancy McKinsey & Company reported that 80% of large businesses now invest in AI, although only 6% report a measurable impact on profits.

The event also highlighted Europe’s ambition to strengthen its technology ecosystem and reduce strategic dependencies in key digital sectors. European Commission Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen outlined initiatives aimed at expanding semiconductor production, increasing data centre capacity and supporting open-source technologies across Europe.

Alongside the conference, French startup Fairpatterns was selected to represent France at the Startup World Cup in November of this year, where participants will compete for a US$1 million investment prize. The event highlighted the strength of the French startup ecosystem in Paris.

Why does it matter?

VivaTech is one of Europe’s most influential technology events and provides a useful snapshot of emerging priorities in the global digital economy. The strong focus on AI execution rather than experimentation reflects a broader shift from testing AI technologies to generating measurable business and economic value from them.

The discussions also underscore the growing importance of digital sovereignty. As governments and businesses invest in AI, semiconductors, cloud infrastructure and data centres, competitiveness is increasingly linked to control over critical digital capabilities. The event highlights how Europe is seeking to strengthen its technological position while ensuring that innovation is supported by the infrastructure and investment needed to scale advanced technologies.

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Google Cloud urges changes to EU tech sovereignty plans

Google Cloud has urged EU policymakers to revise parts of the European Commission’s Tech Sovereignty Package, arguing that some proposed cloud sovereignty measures could unintentionally isolate the European digital market.

In a policy statement, Giorgia Abeltino, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Google Cloud in EMEA, said Europe requires significant investment in digital infrastructure to strengthen competitiveness, security and technological sovereignty. She said the EU is considering how to expand its digital footprint across chips, cloud adoption, and AI data infrastructure.

Google Cloud said it supports the Commission’s emphasis on openness, partnerships and fair competition, particularly measures aimed at interoperability and reducing vendor lock-in. It welcomed measures on interoperability, efforts to address vendor lock-in, an open source strategy for the public sector, and faster data centre deployment.

However, the company said certain elements of the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act should be changed to avoid unintended market isolation. Google Cloud said trusted global partners should be able to continue supporting Europe’s security and scaling goals under an open framework.

The company said its vision of technological sovereignty is based on verifiable technical controls, customer choice and continued investment in European digital infrastructure. It pointed to its sovereign cloud services, including standard public cloud configurations with European data boundaries, independently operated regional cloud services, and air-gapped solutions for sensitive public-sector operations.

Google Cloud also highlighted partnerships with European companies, including S3NS in France; Thales, Schwarz Group, and T-Systems in Germany; PSN in Italy; Clarence in Luxembourg; and Telefónica in Spain. It said these partnerships support operational resilience and jurisdictional controls under existing national tech sovereignty frameworks.

The company said the S3NS offering in France has been qualified under SecNumCloud 3.2. It also said Clarence and S3NS, together with Mistral, offer services approved by the EU Directorate-General for Digital Services for use by EU institutions with sovereign cloud needs.

Google Cloud also raised concerns about the proposed Union Assurance Levels within the Cloud and AI Development Act. It said harmonising sovereignty criteria across Member States is useful, but argued that the proposed criteria could limit or exclude global providers regardless of the security safeguards they offer.

The company said EU rules should allow technical approaches to sovereign control rather than relying too heavily on geographic criteria. The company cited its Cloud External Key Manager as an example of a technical sovereignty mechanism that allows customers to retain control of encryption keys outside Google’s infrastructure.

Google Cloud also called for the Cloud and AI Development Act to follow a more balanced approach similar to the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act. The company said trusted non-EU partners should be able to operate as EU-origin under clear conditions, backed by trade rules and safeguards.

The company also backed the package’s goal of promoting interoperability and reducing vendor lock-in. It said tech sovereignty should increase user choice and argued for reforms allowing users to move software licences freely, ensuring fair pricing for legacy software, and guaranteeing that software runs equally well on any cloud platform.

Google Cloud said physical compute infrastructure is central to digital tech sovereignty. It welcomed the ambitions of Chips Act 2.0 and the proposed €30 billion investment in European semiconductor research and development, but said Europe also needs regulatory conditions that attract large-scale compute infrastructure investment.

The company said it operates 13 European cloud regions and has recently invested in Germany, Belgium, and Sweden. It welcomed proposed special project status for data infrastructure projects to streamline permitting, grid access, and power purchase agreements.

Google Cloud said fast-track permitting should prioritise highly sustainable infrastructure projects. It also called for national sustainability criteria to align with the upcoming EU-wide rating scheme and said acceleration zones should not artificially restrict where new data centres can be built.

The company said Europe has an opportunity to build a resilient, competitive and open digital future. It said global innovation and European values can be advanced together through open source software, sovereign cloud partnerships and collaboration with European policymakers and regional partners.

Why does it matter?

The debate highlights a central challenge in Europe’s digital policy agenda: how to strengthen technological sovereignty without undermining openness, competition and access to global innovation. As the EU seeks greater control over critical digital infrastructure, cloud services and AI capabilities, policymakers must decide whether sovereignty should be defined primarily by ownership and geography or by technical safeguards and operational control.

The outcome could have significant implications for the future European cloud and AI market. Rules governing sovereign cloud services, data infrastructure and assurance standards will influence investment decisions, public-sector procurement, competition among providers and Europe’s ability to develop advanced AI capabilities. The discussion also reflects broader tensions between strategic autonomy and international technology partnerships that are increasingly shaping digital policy worldwide.

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Japan and Australia deepen cybersecurity cooperation through policy dialogue

Japan and Australia held their seventh Cyber Policy Dialogue in Tokyo on 18 June, bringing together senior government officials to discuss cybersecurity strategy, emerging technologies and bilateral cooperation.

The whole-of-government meeting was co-chaired by Miyake Fumito, Japan’s Ambassador in charge of Cyber Policy and Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Jessica Hunter, Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Officials from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Cybersecurity Office, National Police Agency, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry took part in the dialogue.

Australia was represented by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Industry, the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Department of Home Affairs.

The dialogue followed Japan’s enactment of the Cyber Response Capability Strengthening Act and the adoption of a new national Cybersecurity Strategy, providing an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on evolving cyber policy frameworks. Both sides exchanged views on their respective cybersecurity strategies and policies, as well as cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels.

The meeting also built on the Japan-Australia Strategic Cyber Partnership, which Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to launch during their May summit.

Discussions covered defence and deterrence against cyber threats, capacity-building initiatives, public-private partnerships, AI-related security challenges and broader cybersecurity cooperation. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation on cyber issues through bilateral mechanisms, including the Japan-Australia Cyber Policy Dialogue.

Why does it matter?

The dialogue reflects the growing strategic importance of cybersecurity in the Indo-Pacific region. As cyber threats increasingly target governments, critical infrastructure and advanced technologies, countries are placing greater emphasis on international cooperation to strengthen resilience, share expertise and coordinate responses to emerging risks.

The inclusion of AI alongside traditional cybersecurity issues also highlights the changing nature of digital security. AI is becoming both a tool for cyber defence and a potential source of new threats, making policy coordination increasingly important. Closer cooperation between Japan and Australia may help strengthen regional cybersecurity governance while supporting broader efforts to address technological and security challenges in multilateral forums.

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Greece and the European Commission strengthen AI cooperation for public services

Greece and the European Commission have reinforced cooperation on AI through a conference held during the BEYOND 2026 exhibition, bringing together policymakers, academics, technology experts and citizens to discuss the future of AI in Europe.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Dimitris Papastergiou emphasised the importance of responsible and innovative AI adoption to improve public services, drive digital transformation and strengthen Greece’s competitiveness.

European Commission Director-General for Translation Christos Ellinides outlined the EU’s approach to AI, highlighting initiatives that support innovation, multilingualism and digital transformation across member states.

Commission experts presented AI-powered multilingual services and digital tools designed to improve communication, accessibility and collaboration across the European Union. Discussions also explored the opportunities and challenges associated with AI deployment, while emphasising the importance of maintaining a human-centric approach to technological development.

The conference concluded with calls for closer cooperation between European institutions and national authorities to develop reliable, secure and human-centric AI systems. Organisers said the initiative reflects Greece’s commitment to advancing digital transformation and strengthening its role within the emerging European AI ecosystem.

Why does it matter?

The conference highlights how AI policy in Europe is increasingly being shaped through cooperation between EU institutions and national governments. As countries seek to deploy AI across public services, education and digital infrastructure, coordination will be important for ensuring interoperability, trust and compliance with European regulatory frameworks.

The event also reflects Europe’s broader approach to AI governance, which aims to balance innovation with safeguards related to transparency, security and fundamental rights. By promoting multilingual AI tools, citizen-centred services and cross-border collaboration, initiatives such as this support the EU’s wider objectives of digital sovereignty, competitiveness and inclusive digital transformation.

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UNESCO backs new initiative against online hate speech

Organisations and experts in Kyrgyzstan have launched the country’s first multistakeholder coalition focused on online harmful content and content moderation, with support from UNESCO and the European Union.

The Aikyn Sanarip coalition was launched in Bishkek on 17 June, ahead of the UN International Day for Countering Hate Speech. It brings together civil society, media representatives, government bodies, academics, international organisations and bloggers.

UNESCO said the coalition will provide a platform for dialogue on freedom of expression, digital rights, online safety and greater accountability from digital platforms.

The launch also featured the first national study on freedom of expression and content moderation in Kyrgyzstan. The research examines how hate speech spreads across digital platforms, how content is moderated in Kyrgyz-language digital spaces, and where legal and institutional gaps remain.

UNESCO said users in Kyrgyzstan increasingly encounter hate speech, disinformation and online harassment. At the same time, the country lacks a clear legal definition of hate speech, and mechanisms for addressing harmful content remain fragmented.

The European Union supported the forum under UNESCO’s Social Media 4 Peace project, which promotes multistakeholder responses to harmful online content while protecting freedom of expression.

Why does it matter?

The launch shows how online hate speech and harmful content are becoming governance issues beyond major platform markets. Kyrgyzstan’s new coalition links digital rights, online safety and platform accountability, while also highlighting a difficult balance: tackling hate speech and disinformation without undermining freedom of expression. The initiative may offer a model for multistakeholder responses in countries where legal frameworks and platform moderation practices remain underdeveloped.

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US backs photonics expansion for AI data centres under CHIPS Act

The Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Program Office has signed a letter of intent to provide up to $50 million in direct funding to Coherent Corp. under the CHIPS and Science Act.

According to the CHIPS Program Office, the proposed funding would support the expansion of Coherent’s facility in Sherman, Texas, which it describes as the first and largest high-volume 150mm indium phosphide semiconductor manufacturing facility in the United States.

The expansion would add wafer fabrication equipment and cleanroom capacity to increase production of indium phosphide-based photonic components. These components are used in high-speed optical interconnects that enable rapid data transfer within advanced AI data centres.

The Department of Commerce said the project would create high-skilled manufacturing jobs and strengthen domestic supply chains for critical photonics technologies that support next-generation computing and AI infrastructure.

Why does it matter?

The announcement highlights the growing importance of photonics technologies in the AI economy. As demand for AI computing continues to rise, data centres require increasingly efficient methods for transferring vast amounts of information between processors, servers and storage systems. Optical interconnect technologies based on indium phosphide semiconductors are becoming a critical part of that infrastructure.

The investment also reflects broader US industrial policy goals under the CHIPS and Science Act. Beyond traditional semiconductor manufacturing, policymakers are increasingly targeting specialised components and supply chains considered strategically important for AI competitiveness, economic security and technological resilience.

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UK unveils AI tools to speed up planning decisions and housing delivery

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have unveiled two AI tools designed to modernise England’s planning system and accelerate housing delivery.

One new AI prototype is being tested by Barnet, Camden and Dorset councils and aims to reduce average decision times for routine householder planning applications from eight weeks to four. The system triages applications and provides planning officers with preliminary assessments to support decision-making.

A second tool, called Extract, has been made available to local authorities across England. It uses AI to convert decades of planning documents and maps into structured digital data, reducing the need for manual processing and allowing staff to focus on more complex cases.

The government said the initiatives support its target of building 1.5 million homes during this Parliament while improving the efficiency of public services through technology. Subject to successful trials, the new planning application tool is expected to be rolled out nationally in England from 2027.

Why does it matter?

The initiative illustrates how governments are increasingly using AI to address administrative bottlenecks and improve public-service delivery. Planning systems often face challenges related to outdated records, resource constraints and lengthy approval processes, making them a key target for digital transformation efforts.

The UK’s approach also highlights the growing role of AI in housing and infrastructure policy. If successful, the tools could help accelerate housing development, improve the use of public-sector resources and demonstrate how AI can support decision-making while leaving final judgments in the hands of public officials.

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UNIDIR launches platform for AI peace and security policy

UNIDIR, Switzerland, and Pakistan will host a pre-launch briefing for the Institute’s Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security in Geneva on 17 June 2026.

The briefing will take place at the Palais des Nations ahead of the centre’s formal launch later the same day. It will bring together stakeholders involved in the governance of AI and international security.

U NIDIR said the Centre of Excellence on AI, Peace and Security is being established at a critical moment for global AI governance, as AI increasingly reshapes international peace and security dynamics. The centre is intended to serve as a permanent platform for consolidating knowledge, connecting stakeholders and maintaining continuity between multilateral processes and global discussions on AI and international security.

The platform aims to promote greater continuity and coherence across international AI governance initiatives. It will also promote inclusive global engagement and provide practical, evidence-based policy guidance, resources, and capacity-building support.

According to UNIDIR, the goal is to strengthen international cooperation on the governance of AI in peace and security contexts, amid growing urgency and complexity.

The pre-launch briefing will introduce the centre as a platform for multistakeholder engagement and actionable knowledge generation. Participants will also be invited to express interest in supporting the centre, joining its Forum and contributing to future activities.

Speakers will include Dr Giacomo Persi Paoli, Head of UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme; Reto Wollenmann, Senior Advisor on AI and International Security at Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs; and Husham Ahmed, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN in Geneva.

The briefing will also include an overview of the centre’s governance structure and ways for states and other stakeholders to engage through its Forum. The event will be moderated by Dr Yasmin Afina, Researcher in UNIDIR’s Security and Technology Programme.

Why does it matter?

AI is becoming an increasingly important factor in international peace and security, influencing areas ranging from military applications and cyber operations to information integrity, crisis management and strategic stability. As discussions on AI governance expand across multiple international forums, there is growing demand for mechanisms that can provide continuity, expertise and coordination between policy processes.

The new UNIDIR centre seeks to fill that gap by creating a permanent platform for research, dialogue and capacity-building. By bringing together governments, international organisations, industry, academia and civil society, it could help promote more inclusive and evidence-based approaches to governing AI in security contexts, particularly for countries with limited resources or technical expertise.

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