Digital cooperation

UK partners with DeepMind to boost AI innovation

The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has entered a strategic partnership with Google DeepMind to advance AI across public services, research, and security.

The non-legally binding memorandum of understanding outlines a shared commitment to responsible AI development, while enhancing national readiness for transformative technologies.

The collaboration will explore AI solutions for public services, including education, government departments, and the Incubator for AI (i.AI). Google DeepMind may provide engineering support and develop AI tools, including a government-focused version of Gemini aligned with the national curriculum.

Researchers will gain priority access to DeepMind’s AI models, including AlphaEvolve, AlphaGenome, and WeatherNext, with joint initiatives supporting automated R&D and lab facilities in the UK. The partnership seeks to accelerate innovation in strategically important areas such as fusion energy.

AI security will be strengthened through the UK AI Security Institute, which will share model insights, address emerging risks, and enhance national cyber preparedness. The MoU is voluntary, spans 36 months, and ensures compliance with data privacy laws, including UK GDPR.

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EU advances ambitious gigafactory programme for AI leadership

The Council has agreed on a significant amendment to the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking regulation, aiming to establish AI gigafactories across Europe alongside a new quantum pillar.

The plan advances earlier efforts to build AI factories and redirects unused EU funds toward larger and more ambitious facilities. Up to five gigafactories are expected, supported through public and private partnerships that promise a stronger technological base for European research and industry.

AI gigafactories will combine high-performance computing, energy-efficient data centres and automated systems to give Europe world-class AI capacity. The regulation sets out firm rules for funding and procurement while protecting start-ups and scale-ups.

It also allows gigafactories to be spread across multiple countries, creating a flexible model that can strengthen European resilience, competitiveness and security instead of relying heavily on American or Chinese infrastructure.

An agreement that updates the governance of EuroHPC and introduces safeguards for participation from partners outside the EU. Quantum research and innovation activities will move from Horizon Europe to EuroHPC in order to consolidate work on critical technologies.

In a shift that aims to widen the impact of supercomputing and quantum infrastructure while supporting the development of essential skills for science and industry.

The next stage involves the European Parliament delivering its opinion on 17 December.

A final Council adoption will follow once legal and linguistic checks have been completed, marking a decisive step towards Europe’s new AI and quantum capability.

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SwissBorg unveils Mastercard-powered crypto card

SwissBorg has formed a strategic partnership with Mastercard to launch the SwissBorg Card, a crypto debit card designed to facilitate everyday digital-asset spending.

Users can spend crypto at over 150 million Mastercard locations worldwide, making digital assets more practical for everyday use.

The card provides real-time crypto-to-fiat conversion via SwissBorg’s Meta-Exchange, which finds the best rates across centralised and decentralised platforms. Users can select a primary asset with backups, and transactions are settled in local currencies such as CHF, GBP, or EUR.

The programme introduces a cashback system that returns up to 90% of exchange-related fees in BORG, with rewards increasing as users progress through SwissBorg’s loyalty ranks. Additional benefits include boosted yields, airdrops, and priority access to selected investment opportunities.

The SwissBorg app lets users manage cards, reorder assets, freeze or block cards, and track conversions. The virtual version will launch in Q1 2026 across 30 countries, with physical cards and expanded features planned for subsequent releases.

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Global network strengthens AI measurement and evaluation

Leaders around the world have committed to strengthening the scientific measurement and evaluation of AI following a recent meeting in San Diego.

Representatives from major economies agreed to intensify collaboration under the newly renamed International Network for Advanced AI Measurement, Evaluation and Science.

The UK has assumed the role of Network Coordinator, guiding efforts to create rigorous, globally recognised methods for assessing advanced AI systems.

A network that includes Australia, Canada, the EU, France, Japan, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the UK and the US, promoting shared understanding and consistent evaluation practices.

Since its formation in November 2024, the Network has fostered knowledge exchange to align countries on AI measurement and evaluation best practices. Boosting public trust in AI remains central, unlocking innovations, new jobs, and opportunities for businesses and innovators to expand.

The recent San Diego discussions coincided with NeurIPS, allowing government, academic and industry stakeholders to collaborate more deeply.

AI Minister Kanishka Narayan highlighted the importance of trust as a foundation for progress, while Adam Beaumont, Interim Director of the AI Security Institute, stressed the need for global approaches to testing advanced AI.

The Network aims to provide practical and rigorous evaluation tools to ensure the safe development and deployment of AI worldwide.

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China pushes global leadership on AI governance

Global discussions on artificial intelligence have multiplied, yet the world still lacks a coherent system to manage the technology’s risks. China is attempting to fill that gap by proposing a new World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation to coordinate regulation internationally.

Countries face mounting concerns over unsafe AI development, with the US relying on fragmented rules and voluntary commitments from tech firms. The EU has introduced binding obligations through its AI Act, although companies continue to push for weaker oversight.

China’s rapid rollout of safety requirements, including pre-deployment checks and watermarking of AI-generated content, is reshaping global standards as many firms overseas adopt Chinese open-weight models.

A coordinated international framework similar to the structure used for nuclear oversight could help governments verify compliance and stabilise the global AI landscape.

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OpenAI launches training courses for workers and teachers

OpenAI has unveiled two training courses designed to prepare workers and educators for careers shaped by AI. The new AI Foundations course is delivered directly inside ChatGPT, enabling learners to practise tasks, receive guidance, and earn a credential that signals job-ready skills.

Employers, including Walmart, John Deere, Lowe’s, BCG and Accenture, are among the early adopters. Public-sector partners in the US are also joining pilots, while universities such as Arizona State and the California State system are testing certification pathways for students.

A second course, ChatGPT Foundations for Teachers, is available on Coursera and is designed for K-12 educators. It introduces core concepts, classroom applications and administrative uses, reflecting growing teacher reliance on AI tools.

OpenAI states that demand for AI skills is increasing rapidly, with workers trained in the field earning significantly higher salaries. The company frames the initiative as a key step toward its upcoming jobs platform.

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OpenAI launches Agentic AI Foundation with industry partners

The US AI company, OpenAI, has co-founded the Agentic AI Foundation (AAIF) under the Linux Foundation alongside Anthropic, Block, Google, Microsoft, AWS, Bloomberg, and Cloudflare.

A foundation that aims to provide neutral stewardship for open, interoperable agentic AI infrastructure as systems move from experimental prototypes into real-world applications.

The initiative includes the donation of OpenAI’s AGENTS.md, a lightweight Markdown file designed to provide agents with project-specific instructions and context.

Since its release in August 2025, AGENTS.md has been adopted by more than 60,000 open-source projects, ensuring consistent behaviour across diverse repositories and frameworks. Contributions from Anthropic and Block will include the Model Context Protocol and the goose project, respectively.

By establishing AAIF, the co-founders intend to prevent ecosystem fragmentation and foster safe, portable, and interoperable agentic AI systems.

The foundation provides a shared platform for development, governance, and extension of open standards, with oversight by the Linux Foundation to guarantee neutral, long-term stewardship.

OpenAI emphasises that the foundation will support developers, enterprises, and the wider open-source community, inviting contributors to help shape agentic AI standards.

The AAIF reflects a collaborative effort to advance agentic AI transparently and in the public interest while promoting innovation across tools and platforms.

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Snowflake launches AI platform for Japan enterprises

Japan’s businesses are set to gain new AI capabilities with the arrival of Snowflake Intelligence, a platform designed to let employees ask complex data questions using natural language.

The tool integrates structured and unstructured data into a single environment, enabling faster and more transparent decision-making.

Early adoption worldwide has seen more than 15,000 AI agents deployed in recent months, reflecting growing demand for enterprise AI. Snowflake Intelligence builds on this momentum by offering rapid text-to-SQL responses, advanced agent management and strong governance controls.

Japanese enterprises are expected to benefit from streamlined workflows, increased productivity, and improved competitiveness as AI agents uncover patterns across various sectors, including finance and manufacturing.

Snowflake aims to showcase the platform’s full capabilities during its upcoming BUILD event in December while promoting broader adoption of data-driven innovation.

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Deutsche Telekom partners with OpenAI to expand advanced AI services across Europe

OpenAI has formed a new partnership with Deutsche Telekom to deliver advanced AI capabilities to millions of people across Europe. The collaboration brings together Deutsche Telekom’s customer base and OpenAI’s research to expand the availability of practical AI tools.

The companies aim to introduce simple, multilingual and privacy-focused AI services starting in 2026, helping users communicate, learn and accomplish tasks more efficiently. Widespread familiarity with platforms such as ChatGPT is expected to support rapid uptake of these new offerings.

Deutsche Telekom will introduce ChatGPT Enterprise internally, giving staff secure access to tools that improve customer support and streamline workflows. The move aligns with the firm’s goal of modernising operations through intelligent automation.

Further integration of AI into network management and employee copilots will support the transition towards more autonomous, self-optimising systems. The partnership is expected to strengthen the availability and reliability of AI services throughout Europe.

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EIB survey shows EU firms lead in investment, innovation and green transition

European firms continue to invest actively despite a volatile global environment, demonstrating resilience, innovation, and commitment to sustainability, according to the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group’s 2025 Investment Survey.

Across the EU, companies are expanding capacity, adopting advanced digital technologies, and pursuing green investment to strengthen competitiveness.

Spanish firms, for example, are optimistic about their sector, prioritising capacity growth, using generative AI, and investing in energy efficiency and climate risk insurance.

Digital transformation is accelerating across the continent. Austrian and Finnish firms stand out for their extensive adoption of generative AI and multiple advanced digital tools, while Belgian companies excel in integrating digital technologies alongside green initiatives.

Czech firms devote a larger share of investment to capacity expansion and innovation, with high engagement in international trade and strategic use of digital solutions. These trends are highlighted in country-level EIB reports and reflect broader European patterns.

The green transition remains central to corporate strategies. Many firms actively reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and view sustainability as a business opportunity rather than a regulatory burden.

In Belgium, investments in energy efficiency and waste reduction are among the highest in the EU, while nearly all Finnish companies report taking measures to reduce greenhouse gases.

Across Europe, firms increasingly combine environmental action with innovation to maintain competitiveness and resilience.

Challenges persist, including skills shortages, uncertainty, high energy costs, and regulatory complexity. Despite these obstacles, European businesses continue to innovate, expand, and embrace international trade.

EIB surveys show that firms are leveraging technology and green investments not only to navigate economic uncertainty but also to position themselves for long-term growth and strategic advantage in a changing global landscape.

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