Digital identities Archives | Page 93 of 186

Governments urged to build learning systems for the AI era

Governments are facing increased pressure to govern AI effectively, prompting calls for continuous institutional learning. Researchers argue that the public sector must develop adaptive capacity to keep pace with rapid technological change.

Past digital reforms often stalled because administrations focused on minor upgrades rather than redesigning core services. Slow adaptation now carries greater risks, as AI transforms decisions, systems and expectations across government.

Experts emphasise the need for a learning infrastructure that facilitates to reliable flow of knowledge across institutions. Singapore and the UAE have already invested heavily in large-scale capability-building programmes.

Public servants require stronger technical and institutional literacy, supported through ongoing training and open collaboration with research communities. Advocates say that states that embed learning deeply will govern AI more effectively and maintain public trust.

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Public backlash grows as Coupang faces scrutiny over massive data leak

South Korea is facing broader concerns about data governance following Coupang’s confirmation of a breach affecting 33.7 million accounts. Investigators say the leak began months before it was detected, highlighting weak access controls and delayed monitoring across major firms.

Authorities believe a former employee exploited long-valid server tokens and unrevoked permissions to extract customer records. Officials say the scale of the incident underscores persistent gaps in offboarding processes and basic internal safeguards.

Regulators have launched parallel inquiries to assess compliance violations and examine whether structural weaknesses extend beyond a single company. Recent leaks at telecom and financial institutions have raised similar questions about systemic risk.

Public reaction has been intense, with online groups coordinating class-action filings and documenting spikes in spam after the exposure. Many argue that repeated incidents show a more profound corporate reluctance to invest meaningfully in security.

Lawmakers are now signalling plans for more substantial penalties and tighter oversight. Analysts warn that unless companies elevate data protection standards, South Korea will continue to face cascading breaches that damage public trust.

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AWS launches frontier agents to boost software development

AWS has launched frontier agents, autonomous AI tools that extend software development teams. The first three – Kiro, AWS Security Agent, and AWS DevOps Agent – enhance development, security, and operations while working independently for extended periods.

Kiro functions as a virtual developer, maintaining context, learning from feedback, and managing tasks across multiple repositories. AWS Security Agent automates code reviews, penetration testing, and enforces organisational security standards.

AWS DevOps Agent identifies root causes of incidents, reduces alerts, and provides proactive recommendations to improve system reliability.

These agents operate autonomously, scale across multiple tasks, and free teams from repetitive work, allowing focus on high-priority projects. Early users, including SmugMug and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, report quicker development, stronger security, and more efficient operations.

By integrating frontier agents into the software development lifecycle, AWS is shifting AI from task assistance to completing complex projects independently, marking a significant step forward in what AI can achieve for development teams.

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Honolulu in the US pushes for transparency in government AI use

Growing pressure from Honolulu residents in the US is prompting city leaders to consider stricter safeguards surrounding the use of AI. Calls for greater transparency have intensified as AI has quietly become part of everyday government operations.

Several city departments already rely on automated systems for tasks such as building-plan screening, customer service support and internal administrative work. Advocates now want voters to decide whether the charter should require a public registry of AI tools, human appeal rights and routine audits.

Concerns have deepened after the police department began testing AI-assisted report-writing software without broad consultation. Supporters of reform argue that stronger oversight is crucial to maintain public trust, especially if AI starts influencing high-stakes decisions that impact residents’ lives.

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Irish regulator probes an investigation into TikTok and LinkedIn

Regulators in Ireland have opened investigations into TikTok and LinkedIn under the EU Digital Services Act.

Coimisiún na Meán’s Investigations Team believes there may be shortcomings in how both platforms handle reports of suspected illegal material. Concerns emerged during an exhaustive review of Article 16 compliance that began last year and focused on the availability of reporting tools.

The review highlighted the potential for interface designs that could confuse users, particularly when choosing between reporting illegal content and content that merely violates platform rules.

An investigation that will examine whether reporting tools are easy to access, user-friendly and capable of supporting anonymous reporting of suspected child sexual abuse material, as required under Article 16(2)(c).

It will also assess whether platform design may discourage users from reporting material as illegal under Article 25.

Coimisiún na Meán stated that several other providers made changes to their reporting systems following regulatory engagement. Those changes are being reviewed for effectiveness.

The regulator emphasised that platforms must avoid practices that could mislead users and must provide reliable reporting mechanisms instead of diverting people toward less protective options.

These investigations will proceed under the Broadcasting Act of Ireland. If either platform is found to be in breach of the DSA, the regulator can impose administrative penalties that may reach six percent of global turnover.

Coimisiún na Meán noted that cooperation remains essential and that further action may be necessary if additional concerns about DSA compliance arise.

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OpenAI expands investment in mental health safety research

Yesterday, OpenAI launched a new grant programme to support external research on the connection between AI and mental health.

An initiative that aims to expand independent inquiry into how people express distress, how AI interprets complex emotional signals and how different cultures shape the language used to discuss sensitive experiences.

OpenAI also hopes that broader participation will strengthen collective understanding, rather than keeping progress confined to internal studies.

The programme encourages interdisciplinary work that brings together technical specialists, mental health professionals and people with lived experience. OpenAI is seeking proposals that can offer clear outputs, such as datasets, evaluation methods, or practical insights, that improve safety and guidance.

Researchers may focus on patterns of distress in specific communities, the influence of slang and vernacular, or the challenges that appear when mental health symptoms manifest in ways that current systems fail to recognise.

The grants also aim to expand knowledge of how providers use AI within care settings, including where tools are practical, where limitations appear and where risks emerge for users.

Additional areas of interest include how young people respond to different tones or styles, how grief is expressed in language and how visual cues linked to body image concerns can be interpreted responsibly.

OpenAI emphasises that better evaluation frameworks, ethical datasets and annotated examples can support safer development across the field.

Applications are open until 19 December, with decisions expected by mid-January. The programme forms part of OpenAI’s broader effort to invest in well-being and safety research, offering financial support to independent teams working across diverse cultural and linguistic contexts.

The company argues that expanding evidence and perspectives will contribute to a more secure and supportive environment for future AI systems.

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eSafety highlights risks in connected vehicle technology

Australia’s eSafety regulator is drawing attention to concerns about how connected car features can be misused within domestic and family violence situations.

Reports from frontline workers indicate that remote access tools, trip records and location tracking can be exploited instead of serving their intended purpose as safety and convenience features.

The Australian regulator stresses that increased connectivity across vehicles and devices is creating new challenges for those supporting victim-survivors.

Smart cars often store detailed travel information and allow remote commands through apps and online accounts. These functions can be accessed by someone with shared credentials or linked accounts, which can expose sensitive information.

eSafety notes that misuse of connected vehicles forms part of a broader pattern of technology-facilitated coercive control, where multiple smart devices such as watches, tablets, cameras and televisions can play a role.

The regulator has produced updated guidance to help people understand potential risks and take practical steps with the support of specialist services.

Officials highlight the importance of stronger safeguards from industry, including simpler methods for revoking access, clearer account transfer processes during separation and more transparent logs showing when remote commands are used.

Retailers and dealerships are encouraged to ensure devices and accounts are reset when ownership changes. eSafety argues that design improvements introduced early can reduce the likelihood of harm, rather than requiring complex responses later.

Agencies and community services continue to assist those affected by domestic and family violence, offering advice on account security, safe device use and available support services.

The guidance aims to help people take protective measures in a controlled and safe way, while emphasising the importance of accessing professional assistance.

eSafety encourages ongoing cooperation between industry, government and frontline workers to manage risks linked to emerging automotive and digital technologies.

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Australia stands firm on under 16 social media ban

Australia’s government defended its under-16 social media ban ahead of its introduction on 10 December. Minister Anika Wells said she would not be pressured by major platforms opposing the plan.

Tech companies argued that bans may prove ineffective, yet Wells maintained firms had years to address known harms. She insisted parents required stronger safeguards after repeated failures by global platforms.

Critics raised concerns about enforcement and the exclusion of online gaming despite widespread worries about Roblox. Two teenagers also launched a High Court challenge, claiming the policy violated children’s rights.

Wells accepted rollout difficulties but said wider social gains in Australia justified firm action. She added that policymakers must intervene when unsafe operating models place young people at risk.

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Jorja Smith’s label challenges ‘AI clone’ vocals on viral track

A dispute has emerged after FAMM, the record label representing Jorja Smith, alleged that the viral dance track I Run by Haven used an unauthorised AI clone of the singer’s voice.

The BBC’s report describes how the song gained traction on TikTok before being removed from streaming platforms following copyright complaints.

The label said it wanted a share of royalties, arguing that both versions of the track, the original release and a re-recording with new vocals, infringed Smith’s rights and exploited the creative labour behind her catalogue.

FAMM said the issue was bigger than one artist, warning that fans had been misled and that unlabelled AI music risked becoming ‘the new normal’. Smith later shared the label’s statement, which characterised artists as ‘collateral damage’ in the race towards AI-driven production.

Producers behind “I Run” confirmed that AI was used to transform their own voices into a more soulful, feminine tone. Harrison Walker said he used Suno, generative software sometimes called the ‘ChatGPT for music’, to reshape his vocals, while fellow producer Waypoint admitted employing AI to achieve the final sound.

They maintain that the songwriting and production were fully human and shared project files to support their claim.

The controversy highlights broader tensions surrounding AI in music. Suno has acknowledged training its system on copyrighted material under the US ‘fair use’ doctrine, while record labels continue to challenge such practices.

Even as the AI version of I Run was barred from chart eligibility, its revised version reached the UK Top 40. At the same time, AI-generated acts such as Breaking Rust and hybrid AI-human projects like Velvet Sundown have demonstrated the growing commercial appeal of synthetic vocals.

Musicians and industry figures are increasingly urging stronger safeguards. FAMM said AI-assisted tracks should be clearly labelled, and added it would distribute any royalties to Smith’s co-writers in proportion to how much of her catalogue they contributed to, arguing that if AI relied on her work, so should any compensation.

The debate continues as artists push back more publicly, including through symbolic protests such as last week’s vinyl release of silent tracks, which highlighted fears over weakened copyright protections.

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Data centre power demand set to triple by 2035

Data centre electricity use is forecast to surge almost threefold by 2035. BloombergNEF reported that global facilities are expected to consume around 106 gigawatts by then.

Analysts linked the growth to larger sites and rising AI workloads, pushing utilisation rates higher. New projects are expanding rapidly, with many planned facilities exceeding 500 megawatts.

Major capacity is heading to states within the PJM grid, alongside significant additions in Texas. Regulators warned that grid operators must restrict connections when capacity risks emerge.

Industry monitors argued that soaring demand contributes to higher regional electricity prices. They urged clearer rules to ensure reliability as early stage project numbers continue accelerating.

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