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South Korea and Saudi Arabia expand cooperation on AI and digital transformation

South Korea and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in AI and digital transformation as part of a broader partnership spanning energy, advanced industries and critical mineral supply chains.

The agreement was signed in Riyadh by South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-Kwan and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

While the memorandum includes cooperation in oil and gas, a key focus is the use of AI and digital technologies to modernise energy infrastructure, improve resource management and enhance operational efficiency.

The two countries also agreed to expand collaboration in advanced technology sectors, including AI, digital innovation and emerging industrial technologies. The partnership aims to combine Saudi Arabia’s resource base with South Korea’s industrial and technological capabilities to support future economic growth and industrial development.

Officials described the agreement as an important step towards deeper cooperation in emerging technologies, with AI expected to play an increasingly important role in energy innovation, supply-chain resilience and industrial transformation.

Why does it matter?

The agreement highlights how AI is becoming an increasingly important component of industrial and energy policy. Governments are no longer viewing AI solely as a digital technology sector, but as a tool for improving efficiency, resilience and competitiveness across strategic industries such as energy, manufacturing and resource management.

The partnership also reflects a broader trend of linking technological cooperation with economic diversification and supply-chain security. By combining Saudi Arabia’s resource strengths with South Korea’s technological and industrial expertise, the two countries are seeking to position themselves more strongly within the evolving global landscape of AI-driven industrial development.

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Humanists UK urges government to adopt human-centred AI principles

Humanists UK has urged the UK government to place human dignity, democratic oversight and human flourishing at the centre of AI governance.

The call followed a House of Lords debate on the impact of AI on human relationships and society, during which peers discussed the ethical, social and regulatory challenges raised by rapidly advancing AI systems.

Humanists UK pointed out to the government the Luxembourg Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and Human Values, adopted by Humanists International in 2025. The declaration argues that AI should support human judgement, the common good, democratic governance, transparency, autonomy and protection from harm.

Lord Michael Cashman, a patron of Humanists UK and member of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group, urged the government not to ‘reinvent the wheel’ and said the declaration already sets out principles relevant to AI governance.

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Clement-Jones said the debate showed a convergence of values across different traditions, including the need for democratic oversight, transparency and safeguards to ensure AI serves human beings rather than replacing them.

Responding for the government, Digital Economy Minister Baroness Lloyd of Effra said AI is already changing the economy, public services and human relationships. She said the government’s responsibility is to ensure that the transformation strengthens rather than diminishes the fabric of society.

Humanists UK said it has written to Baroness Lloyd and shared a copy of the Luxembourg Declaration.

Why does it matter?

The story reflects the growing role of civil society, religious groups and ethical movements in AI governance debates. While it does not signal a new UK policy, it shows how discussions on AI safety are broadening beyond technical risk to include human dignity, democratic accountability, transparency, autonomy and the public interest. Such value-based frameworks may influence how governments frame future AI regulation, assurance and safeguards.

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EU extends Cybersecurity Reserve support to Ukraine

Ukraine can now activate emergency EU cyber support during significant or large-scale cybersecurity incidents after the Council of the European Union approved its inclusion in the EU Cybersecurity Reserve.

The Reserve, managed by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, provides incident response services from trusted private-sector providers to help contain and mitigate major cyber incidents.

The European Commission said the decision reflects closer EU-Ukraine cooperation and forms part of wider efforts to strengthen preparedness, rapid response and shared expertise against evolving cyber threats.

The move also aligns with the EU’s strategic digital partnership agenda and follows Moldova’s inclusion in the Cybersecurity Reserve in 2024 under the Cyber Solidarity Act.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said Ukraine’s inclusion strengthens collective cyber defences and reaffirms European solidarity at a time of persistent cyber threats.

Why does it matter?

Ukraine’s inclusion in the Cybersecurity Reserve extends EU cyber crisis support to a country facing sustained cyber pressure linked to geopolitical conflict. The decision shows how the EU is using the Cyber Solidarity Act and related mechanisms not only for internal resilience, but also for strategic partnerships. It also strengthens the role of ENISA-coordinated incident response services and trusted private providers in Europe’s wider cyber crisis management framework.

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South Korea and EU sign landmark Digital Trade Agreement

South Korea and the European Union have signed a Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) aimed at strengthening cooperation in digital trade, advanced technologies and cybersecurity.

Signed during President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to Brussels, the agreement establishes a new framework for digital commerce between two major technology-driven economies.

The agreement removes several barriers that can increase the cost and complexity of cross-border digital business. Most notably, it limits data localisation requirements and restrictions on computing facilities, enabling companies to process data across borders without the need to establish additional local infrastructure.

The DTA also strengthens protection for source code and trade secrets while promoting the use of electronic signatures, electronic payments and digital customs procedures.

Cybersecurity cooperation forms a key part of the agreement. South Korea and the EU committed to improving cooperation between national authorities, strengthening cyber resilience and developing coordinated responses to cybersecurity incidents.

The goal is to create a more secure environment for digital trade and for businesses and consumers operating across both markets.

Alongside the agreement, the two sides launched a new South Korea–EU Competitiveness Partnership covering trade, investment, AI, digital technologies, supply chains and critical minerals.

The partnership is expected to deepen economic and technical coordination as both sides seek to strengthen competitiveness in an increasingly complex global environment.

Why does it matter?

The agreement reflects the growing importance of digital trade as a pillar of international economic relations. As data flows, cloud services, digital payments and online platforms become increasingly central to global commerce, governments are seeking new rules that facilitate cross-border business while protecting security, intellectual property and consumer trust.

Beyond trade, the agreement highlights the convergence of digital policy, cybersecurity and technological competitiveness. By combining commitments on data flows, digital commerce and cyber resilience, the EU and South Korea are positioning themselves to play a larger role in shaping global digital governance and future digital trade standards.

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EU and Brazil strengthen cooperation on protecting children online

The European Commission and Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) have signed a new administrative arrangement aimed at strengthening cooperation on the protection of children online.

Announced under the newly established EU-Brazil Digital Partnership, the agreement focuses on sharing expertise, regulatory practices and technical knowledge related to online safety.

According to the European Commission, cooperation will cover several areas related to digital platform regulation, including transparency obligations, risk assessment and mitigation measures, algorithmic systems and AI.

The arrangement also establishes mechanisms for information sharing, expert dialogue, joint studies and collaborative research.

The agreement forms part of the European Commission’s broader international cooperation strategy under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

Similar arrangements have already been established with the UK’s Ofcom, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner and Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The Commission stated that it intends to continue expanding collaboration with international regulators on digital safety issues.

The initiative reflects growing international efforts to address online risks facing children while strengthening cooperation between regulators responsible for platform governance, data protection and digital services oversight.

Why does it matter?

Protecting children online has become a major policy priority as governments grapple with the impact of social media platforms, recommender systems, AI technologies and other digital services on young users. Increasingly, regulators are recognising that many of these challenges are cross-border in nature and require international cooperation.

The agreement strengthens ties between the EU and Brazil on issues ranging from platform transparency and risk mitigation to AI and algorithmic governance. It also reflects a broader trend towards greater coordination among regulators seeking to improve online safety, enhance platform accountability and develop common approaches to digital governance.

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EU and Brazil strengthen cooperation through new Digital Partnership

The European Union and Brazil have signed a new Digital Partnership to strengthen cooperation on shared digital policy priorities, including AI, data governance, digital infrastructure, connectivity, online platforms and digital public goods and services.

The partnership was signed in Brasília and is intended to raise EU-Brazil digital cooperation to a more strategic level. According to the European Commission, Digital Partnerships are a core instrument of the EU’s external digital policy and are used to structure cooperation with like-minded partners.

The agreement builds on more than two decades of EU-Brazil cooperation, including the EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership and the existing EU-Brazil Digital Dialogue. The two sides said the partnership will support joint work on resilient global supply chains, rules-based digital governance and wider sharing of the benefits of technological progress.

The signing follows the adoption of mutual EU-Brazil data adequacy decisions in January 2026, which allow personal data to flow freely and securely between the two jurisdictions without additional requirements. The Commission described those decisions as creating the world’s largest area of free and safe data flows, covering around 670 million consumers.

Future cooperation under the Digital Partnership will be developed through technical workstreams and high-level exchanges. The first Digital Partnership Council is expected to meet within the next year to set out a joint roadmap for cooperation.

Why does it matter?

The partnership strengthens digital cooperation between the EU and one of Latin America’s largest economies at a time when AI governance, data protection, online platforms and digital public infrastructure are becoming central to international relations. It also shows how the EU is using digital partnerships and data adequacy decisions to expand trusted digital cooperation beyond Europe, while promoting regulatory alignment, secure data flows and shared approaches to global digital governance.

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EU tests cyber crisis response for rail and maritime networks

The European Commission has carried out Cyber Europe 2026, a large-scale cybersecurity exercise testing how Europe would respond to attacks on rail and maritime transport networks.

Organised by the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, the exercise took place on 10 and 11 June and involved around 5,000 experts from across the EU, industry and partner countries. Participants included cybersecurity specialists from the public and private sectors, policymakers, the EU institutions and representatives from the UK, Norway, Switzerland and Ukraine.

The scenario simulated cyberattacks on Europe’s rail and maritime networks, causing severe operational disruption and escalating into a wider cybersecurity crisis. The exercise was designed to test coordination between authorities, industry and institutions during a major cross-border incident affecting critical transport infrastructure.

Cyber Europe 2026 was also the first EU-wide test of the 2025 EU Cyber Blueprint, which clarifies roles and responsibilities during a cyber crisis. The exercise also tested the Cybersecurity Reserve, created under the Cyber Solidarity Act to provide support during significant cybersecurity incidents.

The Commission said lessons from the exercise will help consolidate the Cyber Blueprint and embed cyber crisis management more firmly into the EU’s wider emergency preparedness and response frameworks.

Why does it matter?

Transport networks are critical infrastructure, and cyber incidents affecting ports, railways or logistics systems can disrupt trade, supply chains, military mobility and emergency response across borders. Cyber Europe 2026 is important because it tests not only technical response, but also EU-level coordination, crisis decision-making and support mechanisms under newer cyber resilience tools such as the Cyber Blueprint and Cybersecurity Reserve.

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ILO and Singapore expand cooperation on AI and the future of work in ASEAN

The International Labour Organization and Singapore have renewed their partnership to support ASEAN countries in responding to labour market changes linked to AI, platform work and demographic shifts.

The new ‘Partnership Agreement for a Collaborative Programme on Labour and Decent Work’ will run from June 2026 to June 2028. It builds on more than 15 years of cooperation between the ILO and Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower.

Developed in consultation with Singapore’s tripartite partners, including the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation, the framework aims to strengthen the capacity of governments, employers and workers across ASEAN.

The renewed partnership adds new priority areas, including AI, platform work, non-standard employment, demographic transitions and older workers’ participation in the labour market. Existing areas of cooperation, such as occupational safety and health, skills development and social dialogue, will continue.

The agreement will support policy dialogue, knowledge-sharing activities and the exchange of good practices among ASEAN member states. Recent initiatives under the cooperation framework include the Leaders in Tripartism Programme in Singapore in April 2026 and the Global Dialogue on Digital Platform Work in September 2025, which brought together participants from more than 20 countries.

The renewed partnership reflects a broader focus on how ASEAN labour markets can adapt to technological change, ageing societies and new forms of work while maintaining decent work standards.

Why does it matter?

AI and platform work are reshaping labour markets faster than many policy frameworks can adapt. The ILO-Singapore partnership is not a binding regulatory measure, but it creates a regional cooperation channel for ASEAN governments, employers and workers to exchange approaches on skills, social dialogue, worker protection and decent work standards as employment models change.

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EU expands InvestEU funding for startups and transformative industries

The European Commission and the European Investment Bank Group have signed an agreement to add €22 billion in strategic financing to the InvestEU programme to support transformative investments in the EU economy.

The amendment follows the adoption of the Omnibus II Regulation and is intended to accelerate financing for priority sectors, including clean technologies, biotechnology, digital advancement and high-potential start-ups and scale-ups.

According to the EIB Group, the projects supported through the amendment are expected to generate a total financial impact of around €70 billion by the end of the current Multiannual Financial Framework. The wider Omnibus II package set a minimum target of €55 billion in additional public and private investment.

The expanded InvestEU programme is expected to benefit more than 130,000 small and medium-sized enterprises by improving access to finance and simplifying administrative procedures. The EIB said all SMEs supported under InvestEU will benefit from streamlined processes and reduced reporting requirements.

The amendment also lays the groundwork for a future InvestEU instrument under the next Multiannual Financial Framework, as part of the planned European Competitiveness Fund. The Commission and EIB said the expanded programme is intended to support Europe’s green and digital transitions, competitiveness and long-term economic resilience.

Why does it matter?

The agreement shows how the EU is using public guarantees and EIB Group financing to address investment gaps in strategic sectors. For digital policy, the relevant signal is the focus on digital advancement, high-growth start-ups and scale-ups, and technological sovereignty. Access to finance remains a central challenge for European companies trying to commercialise and scale technologies in areas such as digital infrastructure, advanced industry and deep tech.

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Poland signals progress on AI gigafactories and digital services tax

According to the Polish Press Agency, negotiations between the European Commission and EU member states on the development of AI gigafactories could conclude in June. The planned facilities are expected to be financed through the EU’s €20 billion InvestAI fund.

The initiative aims to establish five AI gigafactories across the EU to support the development of large-scale AI models and applications. Discussions intensified after revisions to the funding model required member states to commit financial support before the launch of a tender process limited to private companies and consortia.

Polish Deputy Minister of Digitisation Dariusz Standerski said Poland led a coalition of seven member states that opposed the revised framework and pushed for changes. He said negotiations are now close to a compromise that could strengthen the EU’s digital sovereignty and AI infrastructure ambitions.

Separately, Standerski said the Ministry of Digitisation is finalising proposals for a digital services tax of up to 3% on revenues generated by large technology companies operating in Poland. The draft legislation is expected to be published by early July in Poland.

Why does it matter?

The AI gigafactory initiative is a central component of the EU’s broader effort to strengthen its AI infrastructure and reduce dependence on non-European providers of computing capacity. Access to large-scale computing resources is increasingly viewed as a prerequisite for developing advanced AI models and competing in the global AI ecosystem.

The negotiations also highlight the governance challenges associated with large industrial policy initiatives. Questions around funding, public-private participation and member state involvement will shape how effectively the EU can translate its AI ambitions into operational infrastructure.

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