Digital cooperation Archives | Page 23 of 219

FTC signals flexibility on COPPA age checks

The US FTC has issued a policy statement signalling greater flexibility in enforcing parts of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act when companies deploy age verification tools. The agency said it will not take enforcement action where personal data is collected solely for age verification purposes.

The FTC framed age assurance as a key safeguard to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content online in the US. Officials said the approach is intended to encourage broader adoption of age verification technologies by online services.

While offering flexibility, the US regulator stressed that organisations must maintain strong safeguards, including data deletion practices and clear notice to parents and children. The FTC also warned that personal data used beyond age verification could still trigger enforcement action under COPPA.

Similar to previous 2023 amendments, legal experts cautioned that companies using age assurance may face additional compliance duties under state youth privacy laws, even as federal requirements evolve.

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Topshop unveils AI shoppable catwalk in Manchester

Topshop has staged what it describes as a world-first AI-driven shoppable catwalk in Manchester, as part of its UK brand revival. The Manchester event combined physical runway looks with real-time digital purchasing through a bespoke Front Row AI app.

Guests in Manchester were able to buy outfits instantly as models walked, while also trying on virtual versions after the show. The experience was adjudicated by the World Record Certification Agency and positioned as a new model for immersive retail in the UK.

The Manchester showcase formed part of Topshop’s regional strategy beyond London, highlighting the North West’s role in the UK fashion sector. Students from the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University designed and presented the finale in Manchester.

Topshop’s broader comeback in the UK includes pop ups in John Lewis stores, a standalone website relaunch and a partnership with Liberty in London. Executives said Manchester marked a new phase where AI and commerce converge to reshape retail experiences.

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AI data centre planned for East Manchester

Latos Data Centres is preparing plans for a 28,000 sq ft data centre in Monsall, East Manchester, aimed at serving rising demand for AI computing. The scheme would occupy a three acre brownfield site at Bower Street and Ten Acres Lane in Manchester.

The East Manchester project is designed as a neural edge data centre, bringing AI processing closer to end users than traditional cloud facilities. Latos said the Manchester development would form part of a broader plan to deliver 30 UK sites by 2030.

A live consultation in Manchester will run until 16 March, with Create Architecture leading the design. Advisers on the Manchester scheme include Euan Kellie Property Solutions on planning and SK Transport Planning on transport matters.

Latos said the Manchester facility would regenerate a vacant industrial plot and operate to high environmental and safety standards. The developer is also delivering a separate data centre in Tees Valley as it expands its AI-focused portfolio across the UK.

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McKinsey claims agentic AI will reshape global banking

Agentic AI is set to transform banking operations in the US and Asia, according to a McKinsey podcast featuring senior partners from New York, Mumbai and London. The technology goes beyond traditional automation by handling less structured tasks and supporting end to end decision making.

Research cited in the discussion suggests many banks are experimenting with AI, yet few report material financial gains. Leaders in the US and Asia are urged to avoid narrow pilot projects and instead redesign workflows, teams and governance around AI at scale.

McKinsey partners said successful banks in the US and Asia are aligning chief executives, technology leaders and risk officers behind a shared strategy. Operations, risk management and frontline services are seen as areas where AI could deliver significant productivity and quality gains.

Banks in India and other Asian markets are also benefiting from regulatory engagement, including guidance from the Reserve Bank of India. Speakers argued that workforce training, cross functional collaboration and clear accountability will determine whether AI delivers lasting impact in the US.

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OpenAI expands London research hub

OpenAI is turning its London office into its largest research hub outside the US, marking a strategic shift towards deeper engagement with the UK’s rapidly developing AI landscape. The move places the company in direct competition with Google DeepMind for scientific talent.

An expansion that strengthens OpenAI’s long-term presence in Europe by building a substantial research base rather than relying on satellite operations. The firm aims to attract researchers seeking strong academic links, regulatory clarity and access to the UK’s growing AI ecosystem.

The enlarged London team is expected to support frontier model development and experimental work that aligns with OpenAI’s international ambitions. Senior leadership framed the decision as a vote of confidence in the UK’s capacity to become one of the most influential centres for advanced AI research.

The announcement intensifies debate over global competition for expertise, as major labs seek locations that balance research freedom with responsible oversight.

OpenAI’s investment signals a belief that the UK can offer such conditions while positioning itself as a key player in shaping the next generation of AI capabilities.

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European businesses gain AI-powered contract tools with local data hosting

Workday has rolled out its Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) platform with EU-hosted data in Frankfurt, allowing European organisations to use AI contract tools while keeping all data within the EU.

German, French, and Spanish language support is live, with more languages planned. The update is part of Workday’s EU Sovereign Cloud strategy, targeting the CLM market, which is set to grow to $1.9 billion by 2033.

The platform uses AI agents to automate contracts. The Contract Intelligence Agent extracts terms, obligations, and renewal dates to create a searchable repository, while the Contract Negotiation Agent flags deviations, drafts redlines, and speeds approvals.

Multilingual support ensures smooth workflows across Europe’s largest commercial languages, improving compliance and efficiency.

GDPR compliance remains critical, with fines up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover. EU-hosted CLM removes offshore data risks, which are crucial for the finance, healthcare, and defence sectors. Workday combines AI efficiency with full legal compliance.

Decision-makers should focus on three priorities: EU data residency, leveraging AI agents to accelerate contracts, and integrating CLM with HR and finance systems to maximise value. Workday aims to capture market share in Europe against competitors such as Icertis and DocuSign.

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Pakistan’s digital transformation highlighted as UNESCO advances AI ethics

UNESCO used the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 to highlight the need for a structured Ethical AI and Data Governance Framework as the country accelerates its digital transformation.

Federal leaders, provincial authorities and civil society convened to examine governance reforms, with UNESCO urging Pakistan to align its expanding digital public infrastructure with coherent standards that protect rights while enabling innovation.

Speaking at the Forum, Fuad Pashayev underlined that Pakistan’s reform priority should centre on the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted unanimously by all 193 Member States.

Anchoring national systems in transparency, accountability and meaningful human oversight was framed as essential for maintaining public trust as digital services reshape access to benefits and interactions between citizens and the state.

To support the shift, UNESCO promoted its AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), which is already deployed in more than 50 countries. The tool helps governments identify regulatory gaps, strengthen institutional coordination and design safeguards against discrimination and algorithmic bias.

UNESCO has already contributed to Pakistan’s draft National AI Policy, ensuring alignment with international ethical frameworks while accommodating national development needs.

Capacity building formed a major pillar of UNESCO’s engagement. In partnership with the University of Oxford, the organisation launched a global course on AI and Digital Transformation in Government in 2025, attracting over nineteen thousand enrolments worldwide.

Pakistan leads participation globally, reflecting both the country’s momentum and growing demand for structured training.

UNESCO’s ongoing work aims to reinforce data governance, improve AI readiness and embed ethical safeguards across Pakistan’s digital transformation strategy.

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Origin Pilot launch expands access to China’s quantum computing technology

China has made its self-developed quantum computer operating system, Origin Pilot, available for public download, marking a significant step toward expanding access to quantum computing technology. Officials expect the move to lower barriers to development and accelerate the growth of the national quantum ecosystem.

Developed by Hefei-based Origin Quantum Computing Technology, the system was first introduced in 2021 and has undergone several upgrades. The platform now supports multiple technological approaches, including superconducting, ion-trap, and neutral-atom quantum processors.

Origin Pilot manages key computing functions, including resource scheduling and coordination between software and hardware systems. Features including parallel task processing and automatic qubit calibration aim to improve the efficiency and stability of quantum operations.

Opening unified programming interfaces allows research institutions, universities and developers worldwide to connect to Chinese quantum chips and conduct programming through independent frameworks. Project leaders say users can download the system directly from the company’s official website and begin quantum development activities.

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Japan probes Microsoft cloud licensing

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has launched an investigation into Microsoft in Tokyo over suspected antitrust violations. Authorities conducted an on-site inspection of Microsoft’s Japanese subsidiary in Tokyo on Wednesday, according to sources.

Regulators are examining whether Microsoft charged higher licensing fees to customers running Microsoft 365 and Windows on rival cloud platforms rather than on Microsoft Azure. The inquiry centres on concerns that software dominance may have restricted competition in Japan’s cloud market.

Microsoft’s Japanese unit said it would cooperate fully with the Fair Trade Commission in Tokyo. The watchdog is assessing whether pricing practices unfairly hindered rivals such as Amazon and Google, which also compete in Japan’s expanding cloud sector.

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has intensified oversight of major technology firms in recent years. Previous actions in Japan include investigations into Amazon Japan and a 2025 order requiring Google to end certain preinstallation practices.

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Scotland considers new offence for AI intimate images

The Scottish government has launched a consultation proposing a specific criminal offence for creating AI-generated intimate images without consent. Existing Scots law covers the sharing of such photos, but ministers in Scotland say gaps remain around their creation.

The consultation in Scotland also seeks views on criminalising digital tools designed solely to produce intimate images and videos. Ministers aim to address harms linked to emerging AI technologies affecting women and girls across Scotland.

Additional proposals in Scotland include a statutory aggravation where domestic abuse involves a pregnant woman, requiring courts to treat such cases more seriously at sentencing. Measures to strengthen protections against spiking offences are also under review in Scotland.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said responses in Scotland would inform future action to reduce violence against women and girls. The consultation also considers changes to non-harassment orders and examines whether further laws on non-fatal strangulation are needed in Scotland.

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