Digital cooperation Archives | Page 3 of 211

AI safety push sees Anthropic and OpenAI recruit explosives specialists

Anthropic and OpenAI are recruiting chemical and explosives experts to strengthen safeguards for their AI systems, reflecting growing concern about the potential misuse of advanced models.

Anthropic is seeking a policy specialist to design and monitor guardrails governing how its systems respond to prompts involving chemical weapons and explosives. The role includes assessing high-risk scenarios and responding to potential escalation signals in real time.

OpenAI is expanding its Preparedness team, hiring researchers and a threat modeller to identify and forecast risks linked to frontier AI systems. The positions focus on evaluating catastrophic risks and aligning technical, policy, and governance responses.

The recruitment drive comes amid heightened scrutiny of AI safety and national security implications. Anthropic is currently challenging a US government designation that labels it a supply-chain risk, while tensions have emerged over restrictions on the military use of AI systems.

At the same time, OpenAI has secured agreements to deploy its technology in classified environments under defined constraints. The parallel developments highlight how AI firms are balancing commercial expansion with increasing pressure to implement robust safety controls.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

NVIDIA Isaac powers generalist specialist robots at scale

A new class of robots is emerging, combining broad adaptability with task-specific precision as developers move toward generalist specialist systems. Within this shift, NVIDIA Isaac is enabling integrated workflows that connect data generation, simulation, training, and deployment across robotics pipelines.

NVIDIA Isaac unifies robotics development across these stages, integrating cloud-to-robot workflows that allow developers to build, test, and scale systems more efficiently across both real and simulated environments.

A key driver is the growing reliance on synthetic data, which allows developers to simulate rare or hazardous scenarios that are difficult to capture in the real world. NVIDIA Isaac supports this through tools such as Omniverse-based simulation and teleoperation pipelines, helping convert real-world signals into scalable training datasets and accelerating development cycles.

The platform also enables advanced robot training using reasoning vision-language-action models, which allow machines to perceive, interpret, and act across complex environments. With frameworks like Isaac Lab and integrated physics engines, NVIDIA Isaac enables robots to train across thousands of parallel simulations, significantly reducing time, cost, and risk compared to real-world training.

Once trained, NVIDIA Isaac supports deployment across edge AI systems, including the Jetson platform, while maintaining consistency between simulation and real-world performance. Combined with modular workflows and open frameworks, the platform is positioning itself as a core foundation for scalable, next-generation robotics.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Parents underestimate how teenagers use AI in daily life

Parents often believe they understand how their children use AI tools in daily life, but recent studies suggest a clear and growing disconnect. Teenagers are using AI more frequently and in more complex ways than most adults realise.

Research indicates that 64% of teens use AI, while only 51% of parents think their children do. A large share of families have never discussed AI, leaving teenagers to navigate its role without guidance.

Teenagers commonly use AI for schoolwork, research and entertainment as part of their routine activities. However, a notable number also rely on it for advice, conversation and even emotional support in personal situations.

Experts warn that this awareness gap can increase risks linked to misuse and emotional dependence on AI tools. Limited parental understanding means many overlook how strongly AI is influencing behaviour and decision-making.

Despite these concerns, many teenagers feel confident using AI and see it as a helpful tool. Specialists emphasise that open conversations are essential to ensure more responsible and balanced use at home.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

AI standards and regulation struggle to keep pace with global innovation

Global efforts to regulate AI are accelerating, but innovation continues to outpace formal rules. Policymakers and industry leaders are increasingly turning to standards to help bridge compliance gaps.

At the AI Standards Hub Global Summit, experts highlighted how technical standards support responsible AI development. These tools are seen as essential for scaling AI safely while regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.

Differences across regions remain significant, with the EU relying on formal regulation and the US leaning on flexible standards. This fragmented landscape is raising concerns over compliance costs and barriers to cross-border deployment.

Experts stress that standards must evolve alongside AI while aligning with global frameworks and enforcement efforts. Without coordination, inconsistencies could limit innovation and weaken trust in AI systems.

Calls are growing for shared definitions, measurable benchmarks and stronger international cooperation. Stakeholders argue that aligning standards with regulation will be critical for future AI governance.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Quantum cryptography pioneers win top computing prize

Two researchers have been awarded the Turing Award for pioneering work in quantum cryptography. Their research laid the foundations for a new form of secure communication based on quantum physics.

The method, developed in the 1980s, enables encryption keys that cannot be copied without detection. Any attempt to intercept the data alters its physical properties, revealing interference.

Experts say the approach could become vital as quantum computing advances. Traditional encryption methods may become vulnerable as computing power increases.

The award highlights the growing importance of secure data transmission in a digital world. Researchers believe quantum cryptography could play a central role in encrypting and protecting future communications.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Google responds to UK digital market rules and CMA proposals

Debate over proposed UK digital market rules is intensifying, with Google outlining its position and emphasising the need to balance competition with user experience and platform integrity. The company said it supports the objectives of the Competition and Markets Authority but warned that some proposals could introduce risks for users.

G o ogle argued that maintaining fair and relevant search results remains a priority, stating that its ranking systems are designed to prioritise quality rather than favour its own services. It cautioned that certain third-party proposals could expose its systems to manipulation, potentially weakening protections against spam and reducing the pace of product improvements.

The company also addressed user choice on Android devices, noting that existing options already allow users to select preferred services. It suggested that adding frequent mandatory choice screens could disrupt user experience, proposing instead a permanent settings-based option to change defaults without repeated prompts.

Regarding publisher relations, Google highlighted efforts to increase control over how content is used, particularly with generative AI features such as AI Overviews. It said new tools are being developed to allow publishers to opt out of specific AI functionalities while maintaining visibility in search results.

Google said it would continue engaging with UK regulators to shape rules that support users, publishers, and businesses, while ensuring that innovation and service quality are not compromised.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

UNESCO launches research on harmful online content governance in South Africa

A new research initiative led by UNESCO is examining the governance of harmful online content in South Africa, bringing together actors from government, academia, civil society and technology platforms to strengthen digital governance frameworks.

Conducted under the Social Media 4 Peace programme and supported by the EU, the study investigates the spread and impact of hate speech and disinformation while assessing existing regulatory approaches and platform governance systems.

Emphasis is placed on identifying structural gaps and developing practical responses suited to the country’s socio-political context.

Stakeholder engagement has shaped the research design to reflect local realities, with the aim of producing actionable and rights-based recommendations. As noted by a researcher involved in the project,

‘At Research ICT Africa, we don’t want this study to end with generic recommendations. We are aiming for grounded insights into how social media is shaping information integrity in our context, alongside practical guidance that regulators, platforms, and civil society can apply.‘

Kola Ijasan, a researcher at Research ICT Africa

Regulatory perspectives also highlight the importance of understanding emerging risks. As one regulator stated,

‘We are particularly interested in identifying regulatory gaps – areas where current laws and frameworks fall short in addressing emerging digital risks.‘

Nomzamo Zondi, a regulator in South Africa.

Findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based policymaking, strengthen platform accountability and safeguard freedom of expression and access to information.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

UAE advances AI native vision for future 6G networks

UAE operator e& (formerly Etisalat) has partnered with Khalifa University to outline a new vision for AI-native 6G networks. Their joint whitepaper presents a framework in which intelligence is embedded at the core of the network architecture rather than added as a feature.

The proposal introduces a dedicated AI plane alongside existing network layers to enable continuous learning and automation. This approach supports sensing, reasoning and autonomous decision-making across radio, core and edge systems.

The framework includes distributed AI agents, digital twin integration and closed-loop automation models. It is designed to support multi-vendor environments while enabling scalable and coordinated intelligence across networks.

Five core pillars underpin the model, including AI frameworks, cloud-edge computing and sustainability-focused design. Together, these elements position 6G as a cognitive infrastructure capable of predictive optimisation and advanced service delivery.

The whitepaper also defines measurable performance indicators such as latency, learning accuracy and energy efficiency. The initiative aims to contribute to global standards while strengthening the UAE’s role in shaping future telecom systems.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Growing investment and energy plans reshape Armenia’s AI future

Armenia’s recent technology announcements are helping to form a clearer national AI strategy with stronger coordination. A memorandum with the US on semiconductors and AI now appears to be moving beyond symbolic commitment into action.

Momentum has accelerated with plans to expand a large-scale AI factory backed by significant investment. The project is estimated at around $4 billion and includes tens of thousands of advanced GPUs to support large-scale development.

The initiative is already entering construction, marking a shift from concept to execution in a short timeframe. Officials have described a broader vision of building a network of AI factories across the country.

Energy planning is becoming central, with discussions around deploying a small modular nuclear reactor to meet demand. Stable and scalable power is considered essential for sustaining long-term AI infrastructure growth.

Efforts are also targeting the wider ecosystem through a Virtual AI Institute and planned GPU access for startups. These steps aim to strengthen research capacity and ensure local participation in the country’s AI expansion.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

UK opens supercomputing access to boost AI startups

Britain is opening access to its national AI Research Resource to support domestic AI development. Startups and spinouts can now use supercomputers previously reserved for frontier research.

The AIRR combines infrastructure from government, universities and leading technology firms. It provides the computing power needed to train models and run complex simulations.

Access will be worth around £20 million per year for participating companies. Officials say reducing compute barriers will help startups move faster from prototype to product.

The government’s Sovereign AI Unit, backed by up to £500 million, will also support long-term growth. The programme targets areas including advanced models, scientific discovery and trustworthy AI systems.

Concerns remain over regulatory alignment with the EU’s stricter AI rules. Tensions could shape whether the UK maintains a more flexible environment for innovation.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!