Digital standards Archives | Page 3 of 399

AI is reshaping physics but raising new questions

AI is becoming an increasingly important tool in physics, helping researchers analyse large datasets, accelerate simulations and identify patterns that may be difficult to detect through conventional methods.

A Physics World feature examines how machine learning is already embedded in particle physics, including work at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, where researchers have used AI techniques in Higgs boson analyses and searches for new physics.

Newer approaches are also being used to detect unexpected anomalies in collider data, potentially helping physicists look beyond predictions based on existing theories.

The growing use of AI has renewed concern about the so-called black-box problem, in which researchers cannot fully explain how a system reaches its conclusions.

Physicists interviewed in the article argue that reproducibility, verification and rigorous review remain central to trust, even when AI models are not fully interpretable.

Applications now extend beyond particle physics into materials science, where autonomous systems and robotic laboratories can design, test and refine new materials.

Such systems could increasingly help decide which experiments to perform, speeding up discovery while shifting scientists towards more supervisory and interpretive roles.

Researchers caution, however, that AI should remain a tool for scientific inquiry rather than a substitute for reasoning, curiosity and critical judgement.

Why does it matter?

AI is changing how scientific knowledge is produced. In physics, it can help researchers process data at scales humans cannot manage alone, improve simulations and suggest new experimental directions. That could accelerate discoveries with wider technological impact, from advanced materials to energy systems and medical technologies. Greater reliance on AI also raises governance questions inside science itself. If results depend on systems that are difficult to interpret, scientific communities need strong methods for reproducibility, validation, peer review and accountability. The issue is not only whether AI can find patterns, but whether scientists can verify, explain, and responsibly build knowledge from them.

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Companies face new questions over AI control and governance

Enterprise AI adoption is moving beyond questions of which model to use towards deeper concerns about infrastructure, governance and ownership.

A Forbes Technology Council article argues that companies entering production with AI need to ask whether systems can operate securely inside their own environments and who controls the intelligence those systems generate over time.

It frames enterprise AI as requiring a new trust layer across the stack.

At the infrastructure level, businesses need visibility into how compute is accessed and governed. At the model level, they need control over data, operational knowledge and business value. At the application level, agents and workflows need clear permissions, access controls and safeguards.

Reasoning models and autonomous agents are also changing the economics of AI deployment. More advanced systems require continuous inference, more tokens and persistent access to business context, making compute capacity, latency and cost central to scaling AI beyond pilots.

The article warns that enterprises risk building long-term value outside their own systems if operational knowledge is generated and stored on external platforms without sufficient control.

It argues that the next phase of enterprise AI will depend less on access to individual models and more on secure, governed systems for owning and reusing operational intelligence.

Why does it matter?

The article captures a broader shift in enterprise AI: competitive advantage may come less from using the same general-purpose models as everyone else and more from how organisations govern the data, workflows and operational knowledge created around those models. That matters for digital sovereignty, vendor lock-in, security and long-term business value. As AI agents become embedded in daily operations, companies will need clearer rules on permissions, auditability, infrastructure dependence and ownership of AI-generated knowledge.

Australia unveils AI framework for data centres, copyright and infrastructure

The Australian government has announced plans for a national AI framework centred on new Australian AI Standards, enforceable rules for large AI data centres and stronger protections for creative works.

The framework aims to support AI investment while addressing its impact on energy infrastructure, water resources, local communities, national sovereignty and intellectual property.

Under the proposed standards, large AI data centres would be legally required to underwrite their additional power supply and pay the full cost of connecting to the electricity network. The government said this would prevent AI infrastructure expansion from increasing household energy bills.

Operators would also be required to reduce electricity consumption when necessary to support grid stability and make their facilities as water-efficient as possible.

The federal government plans to work with states and territories on locating large data centres in suitable areas, with local communities given opportunities to contribute to planning decisions.

An Office of AI has been established within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to oversee the implementation of the Australian AI Standards. The framework will be considered by the National Cabinet in August, with legislation planned for early 2027.

According to the government, the standards will create a consistent regulatory framework for large AI data centres and training infrastructure. It described the legislation as the first government framework of its kind globally.

The framework is also intended to simplify approvals and provide a clearer process for checking compliance with energy, water, safety and other requirements. The government argues that greater regulatory certainty could support investment while ensuring AI infrastructure contributes to Australia’s wider economic and strategic interests.

The framework also addresses copyright. The government said Australian writers, artists and journalists should retain control over their work and that AI companies should not train models on Australian creative content without the creators’ consent.

Further government-wide AI consumer safety priorities are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. These measures will build on the establishment of Australia’s AI Safety Institute.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the framework was intended to ensure Australia actively shapes AI development while protecting national interests, employment and investment.

Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Tim Ayres linked the Australian AI Standards to the government’s wider industrial strategy, arguing that AI investment should strengthen Australia’s resilience, security and economy.

Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy Andrew Charlton said the framework would create an enforceable social licence for AI and support safer, more inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth.

Why does it matter?

Australia is linking AI governance directly to the physical infrastructure needed to support AI, including electricity, water, land use and data centres, while also addressing copyright and national sovereignty. This represents a broader approach to AI regulation than frameworks focused solely on model safety or transparency.

If adopted, the Australian AI Standards could influence how other countries balance AI investment with infrastructure planning, environmental sustainability and protection of creative industries. The proposal reflects a growing international trend towards integrating AI governance with industrial, energy and digital policy.

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European Parliament committee backs stronger online protections for children

The European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education has adopted a report calling for stronger enforcement of existing EU digital legislation to create a safer online environment, particularly for children and young people.

MEPs argue that platforms should be held more accountable for the impact of their services through stronger safeguards, greater algorithmic transparency and stricter protections against addictive digital design.

The European Parliament report calls for a ban on the most harmful addictive platform features and supports introducing a dedicated ‘youth mode’ that would disable targeted advertising and reduce minors’ exposure to addictive design practices.

MEPs also propose greater transparency around recommender systems so users can better understand why content is promoted, restricted or removed. They further suggest introducing personal liability for serious and persistent failures to comply with child protection obligations.

Beyond platform design, the report recommends an EU-wide code of conduct for influencers and stronger safeguards against practices such as kidfluencing and sharenting, where children are used in commercial content or exposed excessively online.

MEPs also call for mandatory ethical standards for AI companions, greater transparency around AI model training, measures against AI-generated impersonation scams, stronger protection against synthetic child sexual abuse material, and systematic monitoring of children’s digital habits across the EU.

The committee said these measures should complement existing legislation, including the Digital Services Act, AI Act, GDPR and Audiovisual Media Services Directive, creating a more coherent EU framework for protecting minors online. The report will now be submitted to Parliament’s plenary session in September 2026.

Why does it matter?

The report signals growing political support for strengthening children’s online safety by making platforms more accountable for the design and operation of their services. Rather than relying solely on new legislation, MEPs are urging stronger enforcement of existing EU rules alongside targeted measures addressing addictive design, recommender systems and AI-powered services.

Although the report is not legally binding, it could influence future EU legislation and enforcement priorities by reinforcing the shift towards safety-by-design, greater transparency and stronger protections for minors across digital platforms.

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UK MPs call for clearer sovereign AI strategy

UK MPs have called on the government to set out a clearer strategy for building sovereign AI and other critical technology capabilities.

A new report from the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee warns that the UK may not be able to rely on allies for access to technologies essential to economic growth and national security.

The committee said the government has not clearly defined what sovereign capability means, how it should be measured or what success would look like.

MPs also criticised the absence of a coherent strategic framework for using the UK’s scientific research and institutions to support wider diplomatic and economic goals.

Instead, the report says the government has taken an opportunistic approach to international science and technology agreements, risking substituting activity for strategy.

AI is identified as a central arena for global competition and collaboration.

The committee said recent US restrictions on access to advanced AI models show how reliance on partners can leave the UK exposed if access to critical technologies changes suddenly.

MPs called on the government to define sovereign capability in key technology areas, identify critical supply-chain dependencies and use those assessments to guide investment, procurement and research funding.

The report also warned that the UK continues to struggle to turn world-class research into large domestic technology companies, with many promising firms forced to scale overseas.

It called for targeted investment, stronger public procurement and later-stage funding to help commercialise homegrown innovation in strategic sectors.

Why does it matter?

The report places sovereign AI inside a wider debate about technology dependence, national security and economic resilience. AI capability increasingly depends on access to compute, models, talent, data, infrastructure and supply chains that foreign governments or companies may control. The committee warns that the UK cannot treat partnerships as a substitute for strategy. It needs to decide which capabilities it must own, where it should collaborate and where reliable access is enough.

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UNCTAD launches global consumer product safety framework

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has officially launched the United Nations Principles for Consumer Product Safety, providing countries with the first globally agreed framework to strengthen product safety, improve market surveillance and enhance international cooperation.

The launch took place during a meeting in Geneva attended by more than 400 participants from over 80 countries, where governments, regulators and international organisations discussed emerging challenges in consumer protection, competition policy and digital markets.

The Principles, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2025, are intended to help countries respond to increasingly complex global supply chains and the rapid growth of digital marketplaces.

UNCTAD also announced plans to publish a practical Handbook on Consumer Product Safety to support their implementation. Participants stressed that product safety is essential for consumer confidence and that stronger international cooperation is needed as product risks increasingly cross national borders.

Participants also discussed wider consumer protection and competition issues, including the impact of digital markets, cross-border e-commerce and concentrated supply chains.

They called for stronger international cooperation and regulatory frameworks capable of keeping pace with technological change while supporting innovation and consumer trust.

The meeting also launched the Voluntary Peer Review of Argentina’s consumer protection framework, reinforcing UNCTAD’s role in supporting member states through policy advice, technical assistance and the exchange of best practices.

Participants reaffirmed that international dialogue remains essential to ensuring markets remain fair, competitive, and safe during a period of growing global economic uncertainty.

Why does it matter?

The UN Principles for Consumer Product Safety establish a common international reference point for governments seeking to strengthen consumer protection in increasingly global and digital markets. As products are traded through complex international supply chains and online marketplaces, shared principles can help improve market surveillance, regulatory cooperation and consumer confidence.

The initiative also reflects a broader trend towards international coordination on digital commerce and consumer protection. By providing a common framework rather than legally binding rules, the Principles give countries greater guidance while encouraging more consistent approaches to product safety across jurisdictions.

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Greece adds digital passport to Gov.gr Wallet

The Greek Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence has added the national passport to the Gov.gr Wallet, allowing citizens with active ordinary passports to store a secure digital version on their mobile devices.

The digital passport can be used for identification and as a travel document within Greece. Diplomatic and service passports are not currently supported.

The passport becomes the thirteenth document available through the Gov.gr Wallet, joining digital identity cards, driving licences, disability cards, unemployment cards, academic IDs, insurance information, vehicle records, driver penalty points, pet records, the Athens Ring Road permit and the Real Estate File.

According to the Ministry, more than 2.5 million digital identity cards and almost 2 million digital driving licences have already been added to the application.

The Gov.gr Wallet is available on both Android and iOS devices through wallet.gov.gr. The service was developed by the General Secretariat for Information Systems and Digital Governance and GRNET, in cooperation with the Ministry of Citizen Protection and the Hellenic Police.

Citizen data is retrieved through the government’s Interoperability Centre.

Why does it matter?

The addition of the passport further expands Greece’s digital identity ecosystem and reflects the country’s continued investment in digital public services. By enabling citizens to carry more official documents securely on their mobile devices, the government is reducing reliance on physical credentials while improving access to public services.

The initiative also aligns with wider European efforts to strengthen digital identity infrastructure. As more governments develop interoperable digital wallets and electronic identity systems, mobile credentials are expected to play an increasingly important role in public administration and cross-border digital services.

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UNESCO promotes inclusive digital transformation at WSIS Forum 2026

UNESCO used the WSIS Forum 2026 to promote a vision of digital transformation centred on inclusion, multilingualism, human rights and the public interest, arguing that emerging technologies should remain accessible, ethical and beneficial for everyone.

A central theme of UNESCO’s participation was multilingual digital inclusion. The organisation argued that people should be able to access digital services, create knowledge, preserve cultural heritage and participate online using their own languages and writing systems.

Together with ICANN, UNESCO launched a joint policy brief on Universal Acceptance, calling on governments, industry and the technical community to ensure that all domain names and email addresses work seamlessly across different languages and writing systems.

UNESCO also reaffirmed the importance of human rights-centred governance for AI and emerging technologies. Discussions focused on embedding ethics into digital transformation, strengthening international cooperation on AI governance and preparing for the transition to quantum-safe technologies through transparent, inclusive and rights-based policy approaches.

The organisation also highlighted the role of libraries and other trusted public institutions in narrowing the digital divide by expanding access to digital services, digital skills and reliable information.

Why does it matter?

UNESCO’s participation at WSIS Forum 2026 highlights a vision of digital transformation that extends beyond technological innovation to include cultural diversity, inclusion and human rights. Rather than treating AI, internet governance and emerging technologies as purely technical issues, the organisation argues they should be shaped by public-interest principles that ensure everyone can participate in the digital economy.

By linking multilingual internet access, ethical AI, quantum governance and trusted public institutions, UNESCO is promoting a comprehensive approach to digital governance that could influence future international cooperation as governments implement the outcomes of WSIS+20 and the Global Digital Compact.

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MIT develops safer way to detect harmful AI models

MIT researchers have developed a new auditing method to detect whether generative AI models have been adapted to produce child sexual abuse material without generating illegal content during testing.

The technique was developed with Thorn, a child safety nonprofit focused on protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation online.

Traditional AI safety testing often involves prompting a model and checking its outputs, but that approach cannot be used for child sexual abuse material, which is illegal to generate in the US and many other jurisdictions.

MIT said the problem has become more urgent as open-source generative AI models become easier to download, adapt and redistribute.

The researchers’ method examines internal changes during fine-tuning, rather than testing the model by generating images.

In tests, the auditing procedure identified model variants adapted to generate child sexual abuse material with 100% accuracy.

MIT said hosting platforms could use the method to flag unsafe models, block uploads or remove harmful adaptations before they spread more widely online.

The researchers also plan to test whether the approach can detect harmful capabilities in a larger set of model variants and in base models before adaptation.

Why does it matter?

The research addresses a serious AI safety blind spot: some harmful model capabilities cannot be tested safely or legally by generating outputs. A non-generative auditing method could give hosting platforms, auditors and law enforcement a safer way to detect models adapted for child sexual abuse material before they are distributed. It also points to a broader governance challenge around open-source generative AI: platforms may need scalable tools to assess harmful adaptations without exposing reviewers to illegal or traumatic content.

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Saudi Arabia launches AI tool for national data insights

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Economy and Planning has launched the beta version of INSAIGHTS, an agentic AI tool integrated into the Data Saudi Platform. The system is designed to improve how users access, analyse, and interact with national economic and social data.

INSAIGHTS allows users to convert questions into instant insights and analytics by drawing on more than 7,500 indicators available through the platform. The tool aims to support decision-makers, researchers, analysts and the public with faster access to reliable information for data-driven decisions.

The launch forms part of Saudi Arabia’s wider digital transformation agenda under Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program. The Ministry plans to continue expanding the tool’s capabilities while using emerging technologies to improve transparency, innovation and user experiences across its digital ecosystem.

Why does it matter?

The INSAIGHTS highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing focus on AI as a tool to improve public data accessibility and strengthen evidence-based decision-making. By combining AI capabilities with extensive national datasets, the platform could help organisations and individuals extract insights more efficiently.

The initiative also demonstrates how governments are increasingly adopting agentic AI systems to enhance digital services and economic planning. As the technology develops, platforms like INSAIGHTS may become important models for using AI to improve transparency, research capabilities and public-sector innovation.

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