Digital standards Archives | Page 3 of 390

European Union unveils tech sovereignty plan to boost digital independence

The European Commission has presented a European Technological Sovereignty Package aimed at strengthening Europe’s capacity in semiconductors, AI, cloud infrastructure, and open source technologies.

The package includes two legislative proposals, the Chips Act 2.0 and the Cloud and AI Development Act, alongside an Open Source Strategy and a Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in Energy.

The Commission said the measures are designed to support Europe’s ambition to become an AI continent, strengthen digital autonomy, build a more sustainable digital future, and widen choice in core technologies for businesses, citizens, and public administrations.

Rising global demand for computing capacity, driven by the spread of AI, has intensified concerns over Europe’s dependence on non-EU suppliers for core digital technologies. The Commission said the package is intended to reduce structural dependencies and ensure Europe can develop, deploy, and secure the technologies it relies on.

The proposed Chips Act 2.0 aims to strengthen Europe’s semiconductor capabilities, while the Cloud and AI Development Act focuses on expanding cloud and AI infrastructure. The Open Source Strategy is intended to support Europe’s software ecosystem, and the energy roadmap links digitalisation and AI to a more sustainable energy system.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe cannot afford to depend on others for technologies that keep hospitals running, energy grids stable, and services secure. She said the package is about protecting citizens, defending European interests, and making independent technological choices.

Why does it matter?

The package brings several major EU technology priorities under one sovereignty agenda. By linking chips, cloud, AI infrastructure, open source, and energy digitalisation, the Commission is trying to reduce structural dependencies while strengthening Europe’s capacity to build, deploy, and secure critical technologies. The key test will be whether legislative proposals and strategies translate into investment, infrastructure, and industrial scale.

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MIT develops ChartNet dataset to improve AI chart understanding

MIT researchers have developed a new dataset, ChartNet, to improve how vision-language models interpret charts and other graphical data.

The dataset is designed to help AI systems better combine visual, numerical, and linguistic information, a task that remains difficult even for advanced models. MIT said chart understanding is important for applications such as business trend analysis, financial reporting, and scientific figure interpretation.

ChartNet contains more than one million synthetic chart images, each paired with supporting code, numerical tables, textual descriptions, and question-and-answer pairs. The dataset was created through an automated pipeline that generates and augments chart examples, supported by quality checks to ensure that the code is executable and the resulting charts are accurate and clean.

The researchers developed ChartNet to address a key limitation in current AI systems: the lack of large, high-quality training data for robust chart interpretation. Many existing datasets rely on limited chart images collected from the internet and lack the supporting information needed for models to understand the underlying data.

MIT researchers used ChartNet to train several open-source vision-language models, including IBM’s Granite Vision series. The dataset improved model accuracy across chart reconstruction, chart data extraction, chart summarisation, and chart question answering.

In MIT’s testing, smaller open-source models trained with ChartNet consistently outperformed much larger commercial models on several chart-interpretation tasks. The researchers said the dataset could help smaller organisations use AI for analytical work without relying only on large proprietary systems.

Why does it matter?

ChartNet shows how better training data can improve AI performance in specialised analytical tasks. If smaller open-source models can interpret charts more accurately after training on high-quality datasets, organisations with limited budgets may gain access to stronger AI tools for business analytics, research, financial reporting, and scientific communication. The work also highlights a broader point in AI development: model capability depends not only on size, but also on the quality and structure of training data.

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EU proposes Cloud and AI Development Act

The European Commission has adopted a proposal for the Cloud and AI Development Act to strengthen the EU’s cloud and AI ecosystem, investment, and infrastructure.

The proposal is intended to support broader deployment and adoption of AI by expanding cloud and data centre capacity across Europe. The Commission said the ongoing deployment of AI factories and AI gigafactories is designed to provide European businesses and researchers with access to high-capacity, next-generation computing resources.

The Cloud and AI Development Act is intended to complement those efforts by supporting the wider diffusion of AI through expanded cloud and data centre infrastructure. It will also complement the Apply AI strategy, which aims to boost AI and cloud adoption across Europe.

The proposal focuses on three objectives. The first is research, development, and innovation, supporting the next generation of cutting-edge and sustainable cloud and AI technologies. The second is capacity, accelerating the deployment of data centres across the EU, with a focus on facilities that enhance essential public sector functions.

The third objective is autonomy. The proposal would introduce a single EU-wide assessment framework for cloud and AI sovereignty, accompanied by a public-sector adoption mechanism.

The Commission said the Cloud and AI Development Act complements other initiatives, including Chips Act 2.0 and the EU Open Source Strategy, as part of efforts to build a more competitive, secure, and resilient European digital economy.

Why does it matter?

The proposal shows how the EU is treating cloud and data centre capacity as core infrastructure for AI competitiveness and digital sovereignty. AI factories and gigafactories may provide high-capacity computing resources, but wider AI adoption also depends on cloud infrastructure, sustainable data centres, and public-sector access to trusted services. The sovereignty assessment framework is especially important because it points to a more structured EU approach to assessing dependence, control, and trust in cloud and AI infrastructure.

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Finland implements national framework for EU Cyber Resilience Act

Finland’s national cyber resilience law entered into force on 1 June, establishing national procedures for implementing the European Union’s Cyber Resilience Act. The Cyber Resilience Act establishes cybersecurity requirements for software and hardware products placed on the EU market.

The law assigns responsibility for implementing key provisions of the Cyber Resilience Act to the National Cyber Security Centre Finland, which operates within the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom). The act covers market surveillance, vulnerability reporting, notification of conformity assessment bodies, administrative sanctions, and provisions linked to EU cybersecurity certification.

From 11 September 2026, manufacturers will be required to notify the National Cyber Security Centre Finland of actively exploited vulnerabilities and serious security incidents affecting their products. Notifications must be submitted within 24 hours of the manufacturer becoming aware of the vulnerability or incident.

Products covered by the Cyber Resilience Act must comply with its requirements from 11 December 2027. The requirements apply to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and open-source software stewards, while high-risk AI systems in Finland will be supervised by the authorities responsible for the Artificial Intelligence Act in their respective sectors.

Finland has also amended its Act on Electronic Communications Services to support the implementation of domain name registration requirements under the NIS2 Directive. The new obligations will apply after a three-month transition period and will extend to domain name resellers and certain domain names other than .fi and .ax, where the entity’s main establishment or designated representative is located in Finland.

Why does it matter?

The Cyber Resilience Act represents one of the EU’s most significant efforts to improve cybersecurity across connected products and software. By introducing security-by-design requirements, vulnerability reporting obligations and market surveillance mechanisms, the regulation aims to reduce cybersecurity risks throughout the digital supply chain.

Finland’s implementation measures provide the national framework needed to enforce these requirements, while the related NIS2 amendments further strengthen oversight of critical digital infrastructure and domain name services.

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NGI Commons outlines expectations for the EU Tech Sovereignty Package

NGI Commons has outlined expectations for the European Union’s forthcoming Tech Sovereignty Package, a policy initiative aimed at strengthening Europe’s control over critical digital technologies and reducing reliance on non-European providers.

The initiative is expected to focus on semiconductors, cloud computing, AI and open-source software. According to NGI Commons, the package aims to align and simplify existing policies rather than introduce a new layer of regulation.

The framework builds on recommendations from Mario Draghi’s report on European competitiveness and seeks to support innovation, competitiveness and the EU’s broader objective of open strategic autonomy. A central element of the proposal is the recognition of open technologies as digital commons that underpin Europe’s digital ecosystem.

The analysis argues that open-source software should be treated as strategic infrastructure and supported through long-term funding, coordinated development efforts and greater public-sector adoption to strengthen digital resilience and security.

The report notes that challenges remain, including securing long-term funding, managing the growing energy demands of AI infrastructure and attracting investment, as policymakers seek to balance technological sovereignty with competitiveness.

Why does it matter?

The Tech Sovereignty Package is expected to shape how Europe approaches critical technologies such as semiconductors, cloud services, AI and open-source software in the coming years.

By treating open technologies as strategic infrastructure, policymakers could strengthen digital resilience, reduce external dependencies and support the EU’s broader goal of technological sovereignty while maintaining competitiveness in the global digital economy.

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Quantum research opens new paths for energy and computing

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have advanced understanding of how quantum wave functions behave in ultra-thin layered materials, a development that could eventually improve solar energy technologies and support future quantum computing systems.

The findings show that electric fields can be used to control the position and behaviour of quantum wave functions in materials only a few atoms thick. Experiments showed that wave functions can shift between layers or exist in multiple layers simultaneously through quantum superposition, affecting a material’s optical properties.

The researchers also drew parallels with natural systems such as photosynthesis, where quantum processes are believed to support highly efficient energy transfer. By studying similar mechanisms in engineered materials, scientists hope to improve control over energy conversion and transport, particularly in solar technologies where energy losses remain a major challenge.

Researchers are also exploring whether vibrations can be used to control quantum states, potentially enabling new types of ‘quantum vibronic switches’. The findings could have applications beyond energy systems, including quantum computing, sensing and photonic technologies.

Why does it matter?

The research highlights progress towards actively controlling quantum behaviour in engineered materials, an important step in the development of practical quantum technologies. Such control could enable more efficient energy systems and improve the performance of future quantum devices.

The findings also illustrate how insights from natural processes such as photosynthesis can inform the design of next-generation materials for computing, sensing and renewable energy applications.

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G7 digital and technology ministers agree on priorities on AI, resilience and online child safety

G7 digital and technology ministers have agreed on priorities covering secure AI, AI openness, digital sector resilience and online safety for minors following a meeting in Paris under France’s presidency. Ministers said digital technologies are central to innovation, productivity and competitiveness, while also creating new challenges for users, businesses and service providers.

The statement reaffirmed support for Data Free Flow with Trust, while highlighting privacy, data protection, intellectual property and security considerations. Ministers also welcomed G7 work on semiconductors, digital standards, quantum technologies, and competition in AI inputs, including computing power, data, energy, and talent.

On AI, ministers said secure, responsible and trustworthy systems are needed to maintain public trust and support adoption. They welcomed the revised Hiroshima AI Process Reporting Framework and said France’s presidency would start discussions with stakeholders, the OECD, and members of the International Network for Advanced AI Measurement, Evaluation and Science to improve comparability between AI risk assessment frameworks.

The G7 also backed a Vision on AI Openness, intended to clarify terminology and support access to open-source and open-weight AI approaches. Ministers said AI openness can help diffuse AI, support research collaboration, and contribute to innovation and economic growth, while clearer language can reduce ambiguity and support trust.

Ministers also supported a G7 SME AI Readiness Tool, developed with the OECD and in cooperation with the G7 Social-Employment working group. The tool is expected to be made available through the G7 AI Training Hub to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises assess their digital and AI readiness, improve AI literacy and lower adoption barriers.

The statement also addresses digital and AI sector resilience, resource efficiency and growing pressure on energy grids and digital infrastructure. On child online safety, ministers supported a Common G7 Set of Principles for a safe and secure digital space for minors, covering digital literacy, AI education, risk mitigation by digital service providers, support for parents and guardians, and protection against online harms.

Why does it matter?

The G7 statement reflects growing international coordination around AI governance, digital resilience and online child safety. By addressing AI risk assessment, openness, SME adoption and digital infrastructure pressures in one framework, ministers are linking technological innovation with trust, security and economic competitiveness.

The agreement also signals that online safety for minors is becoming a core part of digital policy cooperation among major economies, particularly as AI systems and digital platforms play a larger role in children’s online experiences.

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OECD links AI openness to innovation and economic growth

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has published a discussion paper for the G7 on the potential economic and strategic benefits of AI openness.

The paper, prepared at the request of France’s 2026 G7 Presidency, is intended to inform discussions in the G7 Digital and Technology Working Group ahead of the G7 Digital and Technology Ministerial Meeting in Paris.

AI openness is defined by the OECD as the broad public availability and ease of access to key artefacts and documentation across the AI stack, including model weights and code, datasets, documentation, safety tooling, and compute resources. The paper examines how openness can affect economic outcomes, innovation dynamics, and national or regional AI ecosystems.

The OECD says open-weight AI models are becoming increasingly competitive with proprietary alternatives. According to the paper, open models achieve approximately 90% of the performance of closed models at launch, while often being available at significantly lower cost, resulting in a higher quality-to-price ratio.

The paper also finds a positive and statistically significant relationship between AI open-source activity and economic growth across the 33 countries analysed. Using GitHub contributions as a proxy for AI openness, the OECD says the evidence suggests the potential economic benefits of open-source AI activity.

Beyond economic performance, the OECD says AI openness can support stronger and more resilient national AI ecosystems by expanding access to models, data, and tools. Open approaches can shift value creation towards downstream layers of the AI stack, where start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, public institutions, and other actors can adapt systems to local or sector-specific needs.

The paper also links AI openness to technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy. It says local deployment and adaptation of models can help organisations and governments retain control over sensitive data, reduce dependence on external providers, and support transparency, auditability, and trust.

The OECD notes that the paper focuses on the benefits of AI openness, while potential risks and downsides fall outside its scope and are left for future research.

Why does it matter?

The paper adds economic and strategic arguments to the debate over open AI. For policymakers, openness is not only a technical design choice but a question of innovation diffusion, local value creation, competitiveness, and dependence on foreign providers. However, because the paper focuses mainly on benefits, its conclusions should be read alongside separate work on the safety, misuse, security, and governance risks of more open AI systems.

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Canada pushes digital innovation agenda at G7 Digital Ministers’ Meeting

Canada highlighted AI, quantum technologies, and digital innovation during the 2026 G7 Digital Ministers’ Meeting in Paris, where ministers discussed responsible technology development and economic competitiveness.

Minister Evan Solomon engaged with counterparts and industry leaders on strengthening cooperation in AI and quantum research. Canada and France signed a joint statement to expand cooperation in quantum science through joint research, knowledge sharing and workforce development initiatives.

Discussions at the G7 and related business forums emphasised the importance of aligning public policy and industry innovation to support the adoption of emerging technologies. Priorities included secure AI deployment, digital resilience, and ensuring that technological progress supports inclusive economic growth.

Canada also announced new international partnerships, including projects applying AI to medical diagnostics and surgical support systems. Officials emphasised that trusted global cooperation remains central to ensuring that innovation delivers both economic value and wider societal benefits.

Why does it matter?

International coordination on AI and quantum technologies is becoming increasingly important as these systems move from research settings into core areas of economic activity, healthcare, and industrial production.

Stronger cooperation between governments and industry can help shape common standards, reduce fragmentation in digital policy, and ensure that technological innovation translates into sustainable growth and broadly shared benefits.

The Canada–France partnership and broader G7 discussions reflect growing efforts to shape common approaches to emerging technologies while supporting their adoption across sectors such as healthcare, industry and digital infrastructure.

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EU launches consultation on trusted flagger guidelines under the DSA

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on draft guidelines for trusted flaggers under the Digital Services Act, aiming to establish a clearer and more consistent framework for organisations that identify and report illegal online content.

Trusted flaggers are specialised entities whose notices about illegal content must be prioritised by online platforms under the DSA. Platforms remain responsible for assessing whether the reported content is illegal.

More than 70 trusted flaggers have already been designated across the EU, covering areas such as child sexual abuse material, intellectual property infringements, online fraud, financial scams, and online harassment.

The proposed guidelines clarify the criteria and procedures used by national Digital Services Coordinators to grant trusted flagger status. They also set out technical requirements for trusted flaggers and platforms when processing notices of illegal content.

The draft guidelines include safeguards intended to ensure that trusted flaggers remain independent, objective, and accountable while operating in full respect of freedom of expression. They also include measures to prevent misuse of the mechanism, including public annual transparency reports and procedures to suspend or revoke trusted flagger status.

The Commission is inviting feedback from platforms, trusted flaggers, applicants, researchers, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders until 26 June 2026. Following the consultation, the Commission plans to adopt the final guidelines in the second half of 2026.

Why does it matter?

Trusted flaggers are becoming an important procedural tool in the EU’s online safety framework. Clearer rules could improve the reporting and handling of illegal content while reducing fragmentation across member states. The safeguards are also important because prioritised notices must be balanced with accountability, transparency, and protection of freedom of expression.

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