Digital standards

Central bank of Russia opens path for wealthy to invest in crypto

Russia’s central bank has proposed a regulatory framework that would permit wealthy individuals to invest in cryptocurrencies, under a new ‘experimental’ regime for ‘specially qualified’ investors.

This initiative marks a significant shift in Russia’s approach to crypto assets, as the country has slowly relaxed its strong opposition to cryptocurrencies.

The central bank’s proposal would allow individuals whose investments exceed 100 million roubles or whose annual income surpasses 50 million roubles to participate in crypto trading.

While the proposal seeks to increase transparency within the cryptocurrency market, it also highlights the risks involved, reminding investors of the potential for financial losses.

The new regime would last for three years, providing a controlled environment for crypto investments. However, cryptocurrencies will still be banned as a form of payment in Russia, maintaining a cautious approach to their full integration into the economy.

This proposal follows a broader trend of easing cryptocurrency restrictions, particularly after a law was passed last year allowing businesses to use crypto in international trade.

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EU draft AI code faces industry pushback

The tech industry remains concerned about a newly released draft of the Code of Practice on General-Purpose Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), which aims to help AI providers comply with the EU‘s AI Act.

The proposed rules, which cover transparency, copyright, risk assessment, and mitigation, have sparked significant debate, especially among copyright holders and publishers.

Industry representatives argue that the draft still presents serious issues, particularly regarding copyright obligations and external risk assessments, which they believe could hinder innovation.

Tech lobby groups, such as the CCIA and DOT Europe, have expressed dissatisfaction with the latest draft, highlighting that it continues to impose burdensome requirements beyond the scope of the original AI Act.

Notably, the mandatory third-party risk assessments both before and after deployment remain a point of contention. Despite some improvements in the new version, these provisions are seen as unnecessary and potentially damaging to the industry.

Copyright concerns remain central, with organisations like News Media Europe warning that the draft still fails to respect copyright law. They argue that AI companies should not be merely expected to make ‘best efforts’ not to use content without proper authorisation.

Additionally, the draft is criticised for failing to fully address fundamental rights risks, which, according to experts, should be a primary concern for AI model providers.

The draft is open for feedback until 30 March, with the final version expected to be released in May. However, the European Commission’s ability to formalise the Code under the AI Act, which comes into full effect in 2027, remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the issue of copyright and AI is also being closely examined by the European Parliament.

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Google enhances Gemini AI with smarter personalisation

Google has announced an update to its Gemini AI assistant, enhancing personalisation to better anticipate user needs and deliver responses that feel more like those of a personal assistant.

The feature, initially available on desktop before rolling out to mobile, allows Gemini to offer tailored recommendations, such as travel ideas, based on search history and, in the future, data from apps like Photos and YouTube.

Users can opt in to the new personalisation features, sharing details like dietary preferences or past conversations to refine responses further.

Google assures that users must explicitly grant permission for Gemini to access search history and other services, and they can disconnect at any time.

However, this level of contextual awareness could give Google an advantage over competitors like ChatGPT by leveraging its vast ecosystem of user data.

The update signals a shift in how users interact with AI, bringing it closer to traditional search while raising questions for publishers and SEO professionals.

As Gemini increasingly provides direct, personalised answers, it may reduce the need for users to visit external websites. While currently experimental, the potential for Google to push broader adoption of AI-driven personalisation could reshape digital content discovery and search behaviour in the future.

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Indian police arrest Garantex administrator wanted by US

Indian authorities have arrested Aleksej Besciokov, an administrator of the Russian cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, at the request of the US.

Besciokov, a Russian resident and Lithuanian national, was taken into custody in Kerala on charges of money laundering and violating sanctions. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said he was planning to flee India, and Washington is expected to seek his extradition.

The arrest follows a joint operation by the US, Germany, and Finland to dismantle Garantex’s online infrastructure.

The exchange, under US sanctions since 2022, has processed at least $96 billion in cryptocurrency transactions since 2019. The US Justice Department recently charged two administrators, including Besciokov, with operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business.

Experts warn that sanctioned exchanges often attempt to bypass restrictions by setting up new entities. Blockchain research firm TRM Labs called the Garantex takedown a significant step in combating illicit finance but emphasised the need for continued vigilance against evasion tactics.

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FTC confirms no delay in Amazon trial

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Wednesday that it does not need to delay its September trial against Amazon, contradicting an earlier claim by one of its attorneys about resource shortages.

Jonathan Cohen, an FTC lawyer, retracted his statement that cost-cutting measures had strained the agency’s ability to proceed, assuring the court that the FTC is fully prepared to litigate the case.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson reaffirmed the agency’s commitment, dismissing concerns over budget constraints and stating that the FTC will not back down from taking on Big Tech.

Earlier in the day, Cohen had described a ‘dire resource situation,’ citing employee resignations, a hiring freeze, and restrictions on legal expenses. However, he later clarified that these challenges would not impact the case.

The lawsuit, filed in 2023, accuses Amazon of using ‘dark patterns’ to mislead consumers into enrolling in automatically renewing Prime subscriptions, a program with over 200 million users.

With claims exceeding $1 billion, the trial is expected to be a high-profile battle between regulators and one of the world’s largest tech companies. Amazon has denied any wrongdoing, and three of its senior executives are also named in the case.

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OpenSSF launches security baseline to strengthen open source software protection

The Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) has introduced the Open Source Project Security Baseline (OSPS Baseline), a structured framework of security requirements designed to align with international cybersecurity regulations and best practices.

The OSPS Baseline provides a tiered approach that evolves with project maturity, integrating guidance from OpenSSF and industry experts to help open-source projects enhance their security posture. Following the Baseline enables developers to align with global cybersecurity regulations, including the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF).

Several projects, including GUAC, OpenVEX, bomctl, and Open Telemetry, participated in the pilot rollout. OpenSSF encourages developers and maintainers to adopt the framework and contribute to its ongoing refinement.

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Mark Cuban: AI is a tool, not the answer

Mark Cuban, the tech entrepreneur and investor, spoke at the SXSW conference, where he highlighted the importance of AI for small businesses. He stressed that while AI can be a valuable tool, it should never be seen as the ultimate answer to business success. Cuban explained that AI can help entrepreneurs by making it easier to start and grow businesses, answering questions, and aiding in tasks like research, emails, and sales calls. However, he cautioned against over-relying on AI.

Cuban encouraged entrepreneurs to spend time learning about AI, pointing out how much easier it is to start a business today compared to the past, thanks to the availability of AI tools and internet access. He acknowledged that AI can make mistakes and isn’t perfect, but noted that human experts can also be wrong. In creative fields, Cuban argued that while AI can help with certain tasks like video creation, it’s not a substitute for human creativity, especially when it comes to things like writing scripts or generating quality art.

The tech mogul highlighted that AI should amplify human skills, not replace them. He warned that those who neglect to use AI might find themselves at a disadvantage, as competitors who utilise AI will have the edge.

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OpenAI launches responses API for AI agent development

OpenAI has unveiled new tools to help developers and businesses build AI agents, which are automated systems that can independently perform tasks. These tools are part of OpenAI’s new Responses API, allowing enterprises to create custom AI agents that can search the web, navigate websites, and scan company files, similar to OpenAI’s existing Operator product. The company plans to phase out its older Assistants API by 2026, replacing it with the new capabilities.

The Responses API provides developers with access to powerful AI models, such as GPT-4o search and GPT-4o mini search, which are designed for high factual accuracy. OpenAI claims these models can offer more reliable answers than previous versions, with GPT-4o search achieving a 90% accuracy rate. Additionally, the platform includes a file search feature to help companies quickly retrieve information from their databases. The CUA model, which automates tasks like data entry, is also available, allowing developers to automate workflows with more precision.

Despite its promise, OpenAI acknowledges that there are still challenges to address, such as AI hallucinations and occasional errors in task automation. However, the company continues to improve its models, and the introduction of the Agents SDK gives developers the tools they need to build, debug, and optimise AI agents. OpenAI’s goal is to move beyond demos and create impactful tools that will shape the future of AI in enterprise applications.

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AI will enhance, not replace, programmers, says IBM CEO

At the SXSW conference, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna addressed two key topics: global trade and the role of artificial intelligence in programming. Krishna expressed his belief that global trade remains vital for economic growth, citing the historical correlation between increased trade and GDP growth.

He also argued that embracing international talent through policies supporting immigration would benefit the US, allowing it to remain competitive in the global market.

Turning to AI, Krishna disagreed with predictions that AI would soon take over coding entirely. Instead, he believes AI will increase programmer productivity by assisting with simpler tasks, allowing developers to focus on more complex problems.

He argued that AI could boost the output of existing teams, helping companies gain market share by enabling faster production and more efficient workflows.

While AI may revolutionise some aspects of work, Krishna maintained that it won’t replace human workers entirely. Drawing a parallel with the initial fears surrounding calculators and Photoshop, he described AI as a tool that enhances rather than replaces human expertise.

His comments come amid growing discussions about the future role of AI in various industries, including programming. Krishna also acknowledged the ongoing challenges in AI, such as intellectual property concerns and the need for energy-efficient models.

Krishna further stated that while AI would become cheaper and more accessible, it would not be the key to groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Instead, he emphasised the potential of quantum computing to accelerate innovation, with IBM’s ongoing investments in the technology.

His remarks highlighted both the promise and the limitations of AI, positioning it as an important tool in advancing industries but not a solution to all challenges.

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Tech giants join forces to promote global standards for data provenance and AI transparency

OASIS Open, a global open-source and standards organisation, and the Data & Trust Alliance, a consortium focused on responsible data and AI practices, have announced the formation of the OASIS Data Provenance Standards Technical Committee (DPS TC).

The committee will build upon version 1.0.0 of the Data Provenance Standards developed by the Data & Trust Alliance’s cross-industry Working Group, expanding industry participation to establish formal technical standards for data transparency, accountability, and trust. Founding sponsors include Cisco, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and Red Hat.

As AI adoption accelerates, organisations face increasing challenges in verifying data sources, ensuring compliance, and maintaining data integrity. The DPS TC aims to create a standardised metadata framework that tracks data lineage, transformations, and compliance across various platforms. This initiative will help organisations improve governance practices, mitigate risks related to data privacy and intellectual property, and enhance transparency in AI-driven applications.

The committee’s work will focus on:

  • Standardised data lineage tracking: Establishing clear and consistent methods for documenting data origins and transformations.
  • Compliance and risk management: Supporting organisations in meeting regulatory and ethical standards for data use.
  • Interoperability across platforms: Ensuring metadata models can be applied consistently across different databases, tables, and data pipelines.
  • Transparency for data users: Providing businesses and individuals with visibility into how data is sourced and managed.

IBM has already tested an early version of the standards, integrating them into its governance framework. According to Christina Montgomery, Chief Privacy and Trust Officer at IBM, this resulted in measurable improvements in data diligence and management processes.

The DPS TC will hold its first meeting on 8 April 2025, with participation open to organisations, industry leaders, and experts through OASIS membership. The committee aims to refine existing standards and develop implementation tools, with a goal of introducing broadly applicable metadata quality metrics within the next 12 to 18 months.

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