Digital cooperation Archives | Page 21 of 224

UK approves £7.5bn AI data centre campus at Elsham Tech Park

Plans for one of the UK’s largest AI data centre campuses have been approved in North Lincolnshire, denoting a significant investment in digital infrastructure.

The project, known as Elsham Tech Park, will be developed near Elsham Wolds Industrial Estate on the site of the former RAF Elsham Wolds airfield. The development is expected to deliver more than 1.5 million square metres of hyperscale data centre floorspace across 15 data halls, with an estimated construction cost of around £7.5 billion.

If fully developed, the campus could provide up to 1GW (1,000MW) of computing capacity, placing it among the largest proposed AI data centre facilities in the UK. The project is being led by Elsham Tech Park Ltd, a company created for the development and overseen by infrastructure developer Greystoke.

The proposed campus would cover approximately 176 hectares (435 acres) and include an on-site energy centre capable of generating up to 49.9MW of electricity. Plans also include battery storage facilities, substations, district heating infrastructure, and additional commercial space.

The masterplan incorporates a greenhouse complex that reuses excess heat from the data centre servers to support agricultural production. Developers say this approach could improve energy efficiency by enabling greenhouse cultivation using waste heat generated by computing infrastructure.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first phase of the campus scheduled to open in 2029. The development timeline covers roughly ten years.

During construction, the project could support between 2,600 and 3,600 full-time equivalent jobs annually across on-site and supply chain roles. Once operational, the facility is expected to create around 900 long-term skilled jobs.

North Lincolnshire Council said the project could attract up to £10 billion in investment and strengthen the region’s role in the country’s growing AI and cloud computing infrastructure sector.

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Anthropic lawsuit gains Big Tech support in AI dispute

Several major US technology companies have backed Anthropic in its lawsuit challenging the US Department of Defence’s decision to label the AI company a national security ‘supply chain risk’.

Google, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft have filed legal briefs supporting Anthropic’s attempt to overturn the designation issued by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Anthropic argues the decision was retaliation after the company declined to allow its AI systems to be used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons.

In court filings, the companies warned that the government’s action could have wider consequences for the technology sector. Microsoft said the decision could have ‘broad negative ramifications for the entire technology sector’.

Microsoft, which works closely with the US government and the Department of Defence, said it agreed with Anthropic’s position that AI systems should not be used to conduct domestic mass surveillance or enable autonomous machines to initiate warfare.

A joint amicus brief supporting Anthropic was also submitted by the Chamber of Progress, a technology policy organisation funded by companies including Google, Apple, Amazon and Nvidia. The group said it was concerned about the government penalising a company for its public statements.

The brief described the designation as ‘a potentially ruinous sanction’ for businesses and warned it could create a climate in which companies fear government retaliation for expressing views.

Anthropic’s lawsuit claims the government violated its free speech rights by retaliating against the company for comments made by its leadership. The dispute escalated after Anthropic declined to remove contractual restrictions preventing its AI models from being used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons.

The company had previously introduced safeguards in government contracts to limit certain uses of its technology. Negotiations over revised contract language continued for several weeks before the disagreement became public.

Former military officials and technology policy advocates have also filed supporting briefs, warning that the decision could discourage companies from participating in national security projects if they fear retaliation for voicing concerns. The case is currently being heard in federal court in San Francisco.

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Over 85 companies join global crypto partner program

Mastercard has introduced the Crypto Partner Program, a global initiative connecting more than 85 crypto-native companies, payments providers, and financial institutions. The program aims to create a forum for collaboration that aligns innovation in digital assets with traditional payment systems.

Enterprise use cases such as cross-border remittances, payouts, and settlements are growing, underscoring the practical potential of on-chain payments. Participants will collaborate with Mastercard to design products that combine the speed and programmability of digital assets with existing card rails and global commerce.

The initiative builds on Mastercard’s long-standing approach to blockchain and digital assets, including Start Path and the Engage platform, which provide opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and growth.

The program focuses on turning technical innovation into scalable, compliant solutions that can operate across markets and everyday commerce.

Partners in the Crypto Partner Program include Binance, Circle, Crypto.com, Solana, Ripple, PayPal, and over 80 other industry leaders, demonstrating the growing ecosystem of companies working together to shape the future of digital payments.

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Netflix AI filmmaking push grows with InterPositive acquisition

A deal valued at up to $600 million will see Netflix acquire InterPositive, the AI filmmaking company founded by actor and director Ben Affleck, according to people familiar with the matter.

The transaction, paid in cash, is expected to become one of the largest acquisitions made by the streaming company. The final upfront amount is reportedly lower, with additional payments tied to performance targets. Netflix has not publicly disclosed the financial terms of the deal.

The acquisition is intended to accelerate the use of AI in film production. InterPositive has developed software tools that enable filmmakers to modify existing footage, including removing unwanted elements or adjusting scene backgrounds. Director David Fincher has already used the technology in work on an upcoming film starring Brad Pitt.

The deal reflects a broader trend among entertainment companies exploring AI technologies to streamline production and improve efficiency. Companies including Netflix and Amazon are experimenting with AI tools in film and television production, while Disney has established a partnership with OpenAI.

The growing use of AI in Hollywood has raised concerns among industry workers. Some fear the technology could reduce jobs or allow studios to use creative work to train AI systems without compensation.

Affleck has said the InterPositive technology is designed to support filmmakers rather than replace them. The system requires directors first to shoot original footage before the software can train on the material. The tools can then assist with editing tasks, but do not generate films independently.

Netflix has traditionally avoided large-scale acquisitions, focusing instead on developing its technology internally. Even so, the purchase of InterPositive signals a step toward strengthening the company’s AI capabilities in film production.

‘The filmmaking process, really, since its inception, has been one long technological progression,’ Affleck said in a video released by Netflix. ‘We’ve always been seeking to make it feel more realistic, more honest, and InterPositive, I hope, is another iteration or step in keeping with that long and storied history.’

Affleck founded InterPositive with backing from investment firm RedBird Capital Partners and began seeking investment in 2025 before the company attracted interest from Netflix.

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Spain expands digital oversight of online hate

Spain has launched a digital system designed to track hate speech and disinformation across social media platforms. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez presented the tool in Madrid as part of a wider effort to improve oversight of online platforms.

The platform known as HODIO will analyse public posts and measure the spread and reach of hateful content. Authorities in Spain say the project will publish regular reports examining how platforms respond to harmful material.

The monitoring initiative is managed by Spain’s Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia. Officials in Spain say the data will help citizens understand the scale of online hate and assess how social networks address abusive content.

The initiative forms part of a broader digital policy agenda in Spain that also includes measures to protect minors online. Policymakers in Spain have discussed proposals such as restrictions on social media use by children under 16.

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UNESCO and African network advance AI in justice

AI is increasingly shaping Africa’s courts, from translation tools to legal search engines. As AI becomes more integrated, judicial actors face new questions around transparency, accountability, and human rights.

Thirty-one members of the African Network of Judicial Trainers (ANJT) gathered in Maputo for a regional workshop on AI, Justice, and Human Rights.

Participants included judicial directors, Supreme Court justices and senior magistrates who shared strategies for responsibly integrating AI into courts. UNESCO highlighted the importance of keeping justice human-centred amid technological change.

Discussions examined the benefits of AI-assisted translation and data analysis, alongside risks such as bias, discrimination, and opacity.

UNESCO introduced practical resources, including the Guidelines for the Use of AI in Courts and Tribunals and AI Essentials for Judges, to help judicial professionals implement ethical practices.

Workshop participants committed to adapting these materials into national training curricula, aiming to multiply knowledge across African judicial systems. ANJT and UNESCO emphasised that AI adoption should enhance efficiency without compromising fairness or the rule of law.

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Dutch firms rank among EU leaders in sustainable ICT

Businesses in the Netherlands rank among the leading adopters of sustainable ICT practices in the EU, according to data from Statistics Netherlands and Eurostat. Around one quarter of companies use digital tools to reduce material consumption and improve resource efficiency.

The Netherlands ranked fourth in the EU for the use of technology to reduce waste and improve sustainability. Sectors including energy, water and waste management showed the strongest adoption of these ICT solutions.

Sustainable disposal of electronic equipment is also widespread among businesses in the Netherlands. About 9 in 10 companies recycle or return obsolete ICT equipment through approved e-waste collection systems.

Across the EU, more than three-quarters of businesses now dispose of outdated technology in environmentally responsible ways. Analysts say progress highlights growing corporate efforts to integrate the sustainability of e-waste into digital operations.

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Lawmakers urged to rethink rules on private messaging

Policymakers are being urged to rethink the regulation of private messaging platforms as disinformation campaigns increasingly spread through closed digital networks. Researchers say messaging apps now play a major role in political communication and crisis information flows.

Evidence from elections and conflicts highlights the challenge. During Brazil’s 2024 municipal elections, manipulated political content spread widely through WhatsApp groups, while authorities in Ukraine reported Telegram being used for both emergency communication and disinformation.

Experts argue that current laws often fail to address messaging platforms, such as Telegram, because regulation typically targets public social media spaces. Analysts say modern messaging services combine private chats with broadcast channels and other features that allow content to reach large audiences.

Policy specialists propose regulating specific platform features rather than entire services. Governments and technology companies are also encouraged to protect encryption while expanding transparency tools, media literacy programmes and user safeguards.

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Amazon launches Health AI to assist with medical queries

Amazon has launched a new AI-powered assistant, Health AI, on its website and mobile app. The tool is designed to answer health questions, explain medical records, manage prescriptions, and connect users with healthcare providers.

Health AI can also book appointments and guide users based on their health information if they grant access to their records. The feature is currently limited to the US, with a wider rollout planned in the coming weeks.

The assistant is linked with One Medical, Amazon’s healthcare service, allowing users to communicate with licensed professionals through messages, video consultations, or in-person visits. It can also send prescription renewal requests and suggest relevant health products.

Users can create an Amazon Health Profile and enable two-step authentication to start using Health AI. By allowing the AI to access their medical records, including medications, lab results, and diagnoses, users can receive more personalised responses.

Amazon emphasises that Health AI is a support tool rather than a replacement for doctors. It helps users understand health information and prepare for discussions with healthcare providers, but it does not provide independent diagnoses or treatment.

As part of an introductory offer, eligible US Prime members can receive up to five free message consultations with One Medical providers. The system runs on Amazon Bedrock and uses multiple AI agents to manage tasks, monitor interactions, and escalate to human professionals when necessary.

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Sustainable AI discussed by UNESCO and Saudi leaders under Vision 2030

Leaders from government, academia, and industry gathered to emphasise that sustainable AI must shape efficient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible systems. The discussion focused on embedding sustainability, ethics, and human-centred principles throughout the AI lifecycle by adopting a sustainable-by-design approach.

The workshop was built on Saudi Arabia’s expanding role in AI and digital transformation through the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) and the National Strategy for Data and AI (NSDAI). The efforts are supported by significant investments in cloud infrastructure and data centres under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programme. Participants highlighted that sustainable AI must become a core principle in the development of emerging digital infrastructure and AI-powered services.

Abdulrahman Habib, Director of the International Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership in AI ethics and governance. With national AI Ethics Principles and a maturing regulatory landscape, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a global contributor to responsible AI dialogue, translating principles into operational governance systems rather than just policy statements.

Leona Verdadero of UNESCO highlighted two core concepts: Greening with AI, which uses AI to accelerate sustainability, and Greening of AI, which ensures systems are energy-efficient, ethical, and human-centred. She stressed that effective AI governance requires collaboration and industry leadership at every stage of development.

Per Ola Kristensson from the University of Cambridge urged action beyond rhetoric, stressing that true AI sustainability means developing technology to augment, not replace, human potential. Industry presentations reinforced that sustainable AI drives real-world progress. Companies like RECYCLEE optimise resource recovery, Remedium reduces environmental impacts in healthcare and infrastructure, and IDOM strengthens sustainability reporting through AI-enhanced design.

UNESCO supports Saudi Arabia’s drive for inclusive, ethical, and sustainable AI ecosystems, framing sustainable AI as critical in the global transition to green digital transformation.

Faisal Al Azib, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Saudi Arabia, stated: ‘As the Kingdom advances its digital transformation under Vision 2030, we have a responsibility to ensure that innovation advances hand in hand with sustainability and human dignity.’

Al Azib concluded: ‘Sustainable AI is central to building resilient, future-ready businesses. Through partnerships with UNESCO and our local ecosystem, we aim to equip companies with the governance tools to embed responsible, energy-efficient, and human-centred AI into their core strategies.’

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