Digital cooperation Archives | Page 15 of 210

Binance targets Greece as EU gateway

Efforts to secure a foothold in Europe have led Binance to select Greece as its entry point for operating under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. A licence would let the exchange offer services across the European Union when the rules take effect in July 2026.

Strategic considerations outweigh speed in the decision. Co-chief executive Richard Teng cited workforce quality, safety, and long-term growth potential as decisive factors, even though several larger EU economies have already issued more licences.

Regulatory attention continues to shape the company’s trajectory. Founder Changpeng Zhao remains a shareholder, as leadership says reforms aim to make the platform one of the most regulated exchanges globally.

Expansion plans unfold amid turbulent market conditions. Bitcoin’s prices remain well below last year’s highs, dampening retail sentiment, yet institutional participation has remained resilient, supporting liquidity amid volatility.

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Kyoto researchers introduce AI monk to support Buddhist rituals

Researchers at Kyoto University have presented an AI robot monk designed to assist with religious ceremonies and spiritual guidance. The prototype, revealed at Shoren-in temple, demonstrates how robotics and faith traditions may coexist.

Equipped with an AI system based on Buddhist scriptures, the robot answers questions about personal struggles and wider social concerns. During a demonstration, it offered reflective advice while performing gestures such as bowing and placing its palms together.

Developers combined a chatbot powered by modern language technology with movements from an existing humanoid robot built by a Chinese manufacturer. Careful programming aimed to reproduce calm behaviour associated with traditional monks.

Japan faces a gradual decline in the number of active temples and clergy, encouraging the exploration of technological support within religious life. Project leaders believe the AI monk could represent a significant shift in preserving spiritual services for future communities.

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Heineken appoints new technology chief to lead AI transformation

Brewer Heineken has appointed Romain Apert as chief digital and technology officer, placing AI at the forefront of efforts to simplify operations and drive transformation. He will join the company’s executive team on 15 May.

Apert joins from Mars, where he served as chief information officer for the petcare division, bringing extensive experience in global technology leadership. He succeeds Ronald den Elzen, who leaves the company after a 31-year career.

The appointment forms part of Heineken’s strategy to use technology and data to streamline processes and strengthen efficiency across the business. AI is expected to play a central role in supporting these ambitions.

Company leadership views digital innovation as essential to future growth as the brewer continues modernising its operations worldwide. The transition marks a new phase in embedding technology deeper into Heineken’s organisational strategy.

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Vietnamese AI firm Namitech provides live translation support at Nikkei Digital Forum in Asia 2026

At the Nikkei Digital Forum in Asia 2026, held in Vietnam, local technology company Namitech showcased its AI-powered translation platform to deliver real-time language support for delegates, speakers and international attendees.

The system aimed to automatically translate speeches and discussions across languages such as Vietnamese, English and Japanese, enhancing accessibility and communication in a multilingual business context.

Namitech’s AI solution combines speech-to-text, natural language processing and translation models to provide near-instant interpretation, reducing reliance on traditional human interpreters and lowering language barriers at high-profile forums.

Organisers and participants highlighted the convenience and effectiveness of the tool, noting smoother engagement for non-native speakers and more inclusive participation.

The deployment reflects broader regional interest in AI-driven language technologies to support business, diplomacy and cross-border collaboration in Asia.

It also highlights Vietnam’s growing role in domestic AI development and its integration into international platforms, aligning with efforts to adopt digital tools that facilitate global dialogue and economic integration.

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Microsoft backs Australia’s next phase of digital government with new AI and cloud agreement

Australia’s rise to second place in the OECD Digital Government Index signals renewed momentum for national digital transformation.

A shift that comes as Microsoft signs a new five-year Volume Sourcing Arrangement with the Federal Government, designed to underpin modernisation across public services and create a secure, future-ready foundation for responsible AI adoption.

The agreement led by the Digital Transformation Agency gives agencies access to Microsoft Copilot, Azure, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 and a strengthened security and compliance framework instead of continuing reliance on ageing systems.

The arrangement sets clearer strategic pathways for innovation, procurement and skills development through an enhanced governance structure.

It recommits both sides to national security requirements, including the Security of Critical Infrastructure legislation, the Cloud Hosting Certification Framework and IRAP.

These measures allow agencies to expand AI use while retaining control of data and meeting the expectations placed on government institutions.

A successful Copilot trial in 2024 already demonstrated personal productivity gains of around one hour per day for participating staff.

Microsoft is also establishing a $1.55 million training fund for the Australian Public Service to support capability building in ethical AI use and modern cloud operations.

The company emphasises that Australia’s partner ecosystem will gain new opportunities because the agreement simplifies how local firms engage with government agencies. Such an approach forms an important part of the wider public sector reform agenda announced last year.

The new deal aligns with national priorities set out in the Whole-of-Government Cloud Computing Policy and the National AI Plan.

Australia now enters a pivotal period in which digital transformation is guided not only by technological capacity but by the frameworks of trust, resilience and public benefit that shape how government services evolve.

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Colorado targets AI chatbot safety

AI chatbots operating in Colorado would face new child safety and suicide prevention requirements under a bipartisan bill introduced in the Colorado legislature. Lawmakers say the measure addresses parents to concerns about harmful chatbot interactions.

House Bill 1263 would require companies to clearly inform children in Colorado that they are interacting with AI rather than a real person. Platforms would also be barred from offering engagement rewards to child users.

The proposal mandates reasonable safeguards to prevent sexually explicit content and to stop chatbots from encouraging emotional dependence, including romantic role-playing. Parental control options would also be required where services are accessible to children in Colorado.

Companies would need to provide suicide prevention resources when users express self-harm thoughts and report such incidents to the Colorado attorney general. Violations would be treated as consumer protection infractions, carrying fines of up to $1,000 per occurrence in Colorado.

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UAE builds sovereign financial cloud

The Central Bank of the UAE has partnered with Abu Dhabi-based AI company Core42 to develop a sovereign financial cloud infrastructure in the UAE. The system is designed to ensure data sovereignty and strengthen protection against cyber threats.

According to the Central Bank of the UAE, the platform will operate on a centralised, highly secure and isolated infrastructure. It aims to support continuous financial services while boosting operational agility across the UAE.

The infrastructure will be powered by AI and provide automation and real-time data analysis for licensed institutions in the UAE. It will also enable unified management of multi-cloud services within a single regulatory framework.

Core42, established by G42 in 2023, said finance must remain sovereign as it relies on digital infrastructure. The Central Bank of the UAE described the project as a key pillar of its financial infrastructure transformation programme.

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How multimodal sensing powers physical AI

Multimodal sensing allows physical AI systems to combine inputs such as vision, audio, lidar and touch to build situational awareness in real time. The approach enables machines to operate autonomously in complex physical environments.

The architecture typically includes input modules for individual sensors, a fusion module to combine relevant data, and an output module to generate actions. Applications range from robotics and autonomous vehicles to spatial AI systems navigating dynamic 3D spaces.

Fusion techniques vary by use case, from Bayesian networks for uncertainty management to Kalman filters for navigation and neural networks for robotic manipulation. The aim is to leverage complementary sensor strengths while maintaining reliability.

Implementation presents technical challenges including environmental noise filtering, calibration across time and space, and balancing redundant versus complementary sensing. Engineers must also manage tradeoffs in processing power, controllers and system design.

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UiPath launches agentic AI to streamline healthcare operations

UiPath has unveiled new agentic AI solutions for healthcare providers and payers. The tools focus on medical record summarisation, claim denial prevention, and prior authorisation, connecting data to speed workflows and improve efficiency.

Healthcare organisations face labour shortages and fragmented systems, making revenue cycle management challenging. Providers produce large volumes of clinical documentation that must be quickly turned into actionable insights for accurate reimbursement.

The platform converts records into concise, citation-backed summaries, automates claim review and appeals, and streamlines eligibility checks. AI predicts risks, reduces errors, and accelerates clinical and administrative processes for providers and payers alike.

UiPath partners with innovators such as Genzeon to embed domain expertise. The solution addresses rising costs, complex regulations, and labour challenges, helping teams make data-driven decisions and improve patient outcomes.

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AI accelerates drug formulation through predictive modelling

Low solubility and poor bioavailability remain major hurdles in small-molecule drug development, often preventing promising candidates from reaching clinical trials. Traditional trial-and-error methods are time-consuming and depend heavily on the limited availability of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

AI and machine learning now provide predictive models that anticipate solubility, permeability and systemic exposure. These tools let scientists prioritise high-impact experiments while conserving valuable material.

Digital platforms combine predictive algorithms with stability testing to guide excipient and technology selection. AI can simulate molecular interactions and dose scenarios, helping teams identify risks early and refine first-in-human doses safely.

End-to-end AI/ML workflows integrate data, modelling and manufacturing insights. However, this accelerates development timelines, lowers the risk of late-stage reformulations and connects early formulation choices directly to clinical and manufacturing outcomes.

While AI enhances efficiency and precision, it does not replace human expertise. It amplifies formulation scientists’ work, freeing them to focus on innovative design, problem-solving and delivering high-quality therapies to patients more rapidly.

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