Digital cooperation

Cloudflare expands open-source strategy with Astro framework team

The team behind the Astro web framework is joining Cloudflare, strengthening long-term support for open-source tools used to build fast, content-driven websites.

Major brands and developers widely use Astro to create pages that load quickly by limiting the amount of JavaScript that runs during initial rendering, improving performance and search visibility.

Cloudflare said Astro will remain open source and continue to be developed independently, ensuring long-term stability for the framework and its global user community.

Astro’s creators said the move will allow faster development and broader infrastructure support, while keeping the framework available to developers regardless of hosting provider.

The company added that Astro already underpins platforms such as Webflow and Wix, and that recent updates have expanded runtime support and improved build speeds.

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California moves to halt X AI deepfakes

California has ordered Elon Musk’s AI company xAI to stop creating and sharing non-consensual sexual deepfakes immediately. The move follows a surge in explicit AI-generated images circulating on X.

Attorney General Rob Bonta said xAI’s Grok tool enabled the manipulation of images of women and children without consent. Authorities argue that such activity breaches state decency laws and a new deepfake pornography ban.

The Californian investigation began after researchers found Grok users shared more non-consensual sexual imagery than users of other platforms. xAI introduced partial restrictions, though regulators said the real-world impact remains unclear.

Lawmakers say the case highlights growing risks linked to AI image tools. California officials warned companies could face significant penalties if deepfake creation and distribution continue unchecked.

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Questions mount over AI-generated artist

An artist called Sienna Rose has drawn millions of streams on Spotify, despite strong evidence suggesting she is AI-generated. Several of her jazz-influenced soul tracks have gone viral, with one surpassing five million plays.

Streaming platform Deezer says many of its songs have been flagged as AI-made using detection tools that identify technical artefacts in the audio. Signs include an unusually high volume of releases, generic sound patterns and a complete absence of live performances or online presence.

The mystery intensified after pop star Selena Gomez briefly shared one of Rose’s tracks on social media, only for it to be removed amid growing scrutiny. Record labels linked to Rose have declined to clarify whether a human performer exists.

The case highlights mounting concern across the industry as AI music floods streaming services. Artists, including Raye and Paul McCartney, have warned audiences that they still value emotional authenticity over algorithmic output.

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Irish government eyes leadership role in AI innovation after US visit

Irish Tánaiste Simon Harris said that AI is no longer a distant concept but is already integrated into everyday life and economic systems, following a visit to California where he discussed technology and innovation with business and political leaders.

He described the current period as an ‘AI moment’ and stressed that Ireland has an opportunity to lead in the next wave of technological development.

Harris announced that Ireland will host a dedicated AI summit to explore how the opportunities presented by AI can benefit all sections of society, highlighting the need for trust, responsibility and confidence in how the technology is adopted.

He cautioned that harms can arise without proper governance, pointing to recent controversies over deepfakes and the misuse of AI tools as examples of risks policymakers must address.

His comments come amid broader efforts to strengthen Ireland’s economic and innovation ties with the United States, including meetings with California officials and global tech companies during his official visit.

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EU revises Cybersecurity Act to streamline certification

The European Commission plans to revise the Cybersecurity Act to expand certification schemes beyond ICT products and services. Future assessments would also cover companies’ overall risk-management posture, including governance and supply-chain practices.

Only one EU-wide scheme, the Common Criteria framework, has been formally adopted since 2019. Cloud, 5G, and digital identity certifications remain stalled due to procedural complexity and limited transparency under the current Cybersecurity Act framework.

The reforms aim to introduce clearer rules and a rolling work programme to support long-term planning. Managed security services, including incident response and penetration testing, would become eligible for EU certification.

ENISA would take on a stronger role as the central technical coordinator across member states. Additional funding and staff would be required to support its expanding mandate under the newer cybersecurity laws.

Stakeholders broadly support harmonisation to reduce administrative burden and regulatory fragmentation. The European Commission says organisational certification would assess cybersecurity maturity alongside technical product compliance.

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Kazakhstan adopts AI robotics for orthopaedic surgery

Kazakhstan has introduced an AI-enabled robotic system in Astana to improve the accuracy and efficiency of orthopaedic surgeries. The technology supports more precise surgical planning and execution.

The system was presented during an event highlighting growing cooperation between Kazakhstan and India in medical technologies. Officials from both countries emphasised knowledge exchange and joint progress in advanced healthcare solutions.

Health authorities say robotic assistance could help narrow the gap between performed joint replacements and unmet patient demand. Standardised procedures and improved precision are expected to raise treatment quality nationwide.

The initiative builds on recent medical advances, including Kazakhstan’s first robot-assisted heart surgery in Astana. Authorities view such technologies as part of broader efforts to modernise healthcare funding and expand access to high-tech treatment.

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How autonomous vehicles shape physical AI trust

Physical AI is increasingly embedded in public and domestic environments, from self-driving vehicles to delivery robots and household automation. As intelligent machines begin to operate alongside people in shared spaces, trust emerges as a central condition for adoption instead of technological novelty alone.

Autonomous vehicles provide the clearest illustration of how trust must be earned through openness, accountability, and continuous engagement.

Self-driving systems address long-standing challenges such as road safety, congestion, and unequal access to mobility by relying on constant perception, rule-based behaviour, and fatigue-free operation.

Trials and early deployments suggest meaningful improvements in safety and efficiency, yet public confidence remains uneven. Social acceptance depends not only on performance outcomes but also on whether communities understand how systems behave and why specific decisions occur.

Dialogue plays a critical role at two levels. Ongoing communication among policymakers, developers, emergency services, and civil society helps align technical deployment with social priorities such as safety, accessibility, and environmental impact.

At the same time, advances in explainable AI allow machines to communicate intent and reasoning directly to users, replacing opacity with interpretability and predictability.

The experience of autonomous vehicles suggests a broader framework for physical AI governance centred on demonstrable public value, transparent performance data, and systems capable of explaining behaviour in human terms.

As physical AI expands into infrastructure, healthcare, and domestic care, trust will depend on sustained dialogue and responsible design rather than the speed of deployment alone.

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Microsoft urges systems approach to AI skills in Europe

AI is increasingly reshaping European workplaces, though large-scale job losses have not yet materialised. Studies by labour bodies show that tasks change faster than roles disappear.

Policymakers and employers face pressure to expand AI skills while addressing unequal access to them. Researchers warn that the benefits and risks concentrate among already skilled workers and larger organisations.

Education systems across Europe are beginning to integrate AI literacy, including teacher training and classroom tools. Progress remains uneven between countries and regions.

Microsoft experts say workforce readiness will depend on evidence-based policy and sustained funding. Skills programmes alone may not offset broader economic and social disruption from AI adoption.

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Microsoft launches Elevate for Educators programme

Elevate for Educators, launched by Microsoft, is a global programme designed to help teachers build the skills and confidence to use AI tools in the classroom. The initiative provides free access to training, credentials, and professional learning resources.

The programme connects educators to peer networks, self-paced courses, and AI-powered simulations. The aim is to support responsible AI adoption while improving teaching quality and classroom outcomes.

New educator credentials have been developed in partnership with ISTE and ASCD. Schools and education systems can also gain recognition for supporting professional development and demonstrating impact in classrooms.

AI-powered education tools within Microsoft 365 have been expanded to support lesson planning and personalised instruction. New features help teachers adapt materials to different learning needs and provide students with faster feedback.

College students will also receive free access to Microsoft 365 Premium and LinkedIn Premium Career for 12 months. The offer includes AI tools, productivity apps, and career resources to support future employment.

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Indian companies remain committed to AI spending

Almost all Indian companies plan to sustain AI spending even without near-term financial returns. A BCG survey shows 97 percent will keep investing, higher than the 94 percent global rate.

Corporate AI budgets in India are expected to rise to about 1.7 percent of revenue in 2026. Leaders see AI as a long-term strategic priority rather than a short-term cost.

Around 88 percent of Indian executives express confidence in AI generating positive business outcomes. That is above the global average of 82 percent, reflecting strong optimism among local decision-makers.

Despite enthusiasm, fewer Indian CEOs personally lead AI strategy than their global peers, and workforce AI skills lag international benchmarks. Analysts say talent and leadership alignment remain key as spending grows.

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