Digital standards Archives | Page 4 of 381

Google expands AI skills initiative to boost career mobility in the UK

Google has launched a nationwide initiative in the UK to improve access to AI skills and support career progression.

The programme, titled ‘AI Works for Britain’, seeks to address structural barriers that limit professional mobility despite widespread access to digital tools.

New research indicates that a significant proportion of the population feels unable to advance, citing gaps in skills, confidence and professional networks.

While a majority already use AI tools, only a minority report meaningful productivity gains, suggesting that effective utilisation remains uneven across the workforce.

An initiative by Google that focuses on practical upskilling through public training hubs, university partnerships and community outreach programmes.

These efforts aim to move users beyond basic interaction with AI tools toward more advanced applications that can enhance employability, efficiency and business development.

The programme in the UK aligns with broader efforts to position AI as a driver of economic inclusion rather than a source of inequality, with policymakers and industry stakeholders emphasising the importance of workforce readiness in an increasingly AI-driven economy.

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Agentic AI study begins through University of Glasgow and Lloyds partnership

The University of Glasgow and Lloyds Banking Group have launched a four-year research partnership to study how agentic AI tools could support software and data engineering work.

According to the announcement, engineers at Lloyds Banking Group in Bristol, Manchester, and Hyderabad will work with large-language-model-based coding tools on different tasks each quarter. The aim is to measure effects on delivery speed and quality.

The collaboration will also create a PhD position, a Master of Research position, and a postdoctoral research associate post at the University of Glasgow.

Dr Tim Storer said: ‘Agentic-driven software engineering is a fast-developing sector with the potential to enable human engineers to work more efficiently by automating some tasks and allowing them to focus their skills on higher-level work.’

However, there has been relatively little research in industry on how integrating agentic AI into software engineering practices can be done effectively in large-scale organisations.’

We’re delighted to be partnering with Lloyds Banking Group on this groundbreaking project. Together, we will enable the Group’s plans to increase their software development capacity, produce high-quality research for the benefit of all, and influence national policy and industry standards.’

Dr Shane Montague said: ‘Lloyds Banking Group’s mission to Help Britain Prosper means leading innovation that genuinely improves how engineering gets done, with a focus on delivering enhanced digital services for our customers.’

‘We’re excited to partner with the University of Glasgow to gather rigorous, real-world evidence from day-to-day engineering work, so we can understand what really works and how agentic AI can be applied effectively and responsibly at scale.’

The partners say they plan to publish regular research papers and best-practice documents as the project develops.

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California challenges federal approach with new AI rules

The government of California is advancing a more interventionist approach to AI governance, signalling a divergence from federal deregulatory preferences.

An executive order signed by Gavin Newsom mandates the development of comprehensive AI policies within 4 months, prioritising public safety and protecting fundamental rights.

The proposed framework requires companies seeking state contracts to demonstrate safeguards against harmful outputs, including the prevention of child exploitation material and violent content.

It also calls for measures addressing algorithmic bias and unlawful discrimination, alongside increased transparency through mechanisms such as watermarking AI-generated media.

Federal guidance has discouraged state-level intervention, framing such efforts as obstacles to technological leadership.

The evolving policy landscape reflects growing concern over the societal impact of AI systems, including risks to employment, content integrity and civil liberties.

An initiative by California that may therefore serve as a testing ground for future regulatory models, shaping broader debates on balancing innovation with accountability in digital governance.

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Future intelligent networks move towards 6G era

Digital infrastructure remains central to modern society, with mobile networks forming the backbone of global connectivity and technological progress. According to Ericsson, research efforts are increasingly focused on ensuring that today’s 5G systems evolve into more advanced and intelligent network platforms.

The future 6G era is expected to go beyond traditional connectivity, enabling immersive communication experiences, intelligent machine interaction, and the development of large-scale digital twins.

Networks are anticipated to become cognitive systems, capable of learning, adapting, and making autonomous decisions in real time.

Alongside new capabilities, future networks will further strengthen core requirements such as security, privacy, reliability, and resilience. Advanced distributed processing will be embedded across network architecture to support real-time operations and system stability at scale.

Ericsson’s 6G vision aligns with the 2030 timeframe, emphasising open and standardised ecosystems that support global collaboration. Interoperability remains central, enabling innovation and seamless connectivity across devices and services.

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Healthcare data breach raises concerns over cloud security

A cybersecurity incident involving CareCloud has exposed vulnerabilities in the protection of sensitive medical information, following unauthorised access to patient records stored within its systems.

A breach was detected on 16 March, allowing attackers to access electronic health records for several hours, which raised concerns about potential data exposure.

The company has stated that the intrusion was contained on the same day, with systems restored and an external investigation launched.

However, uncertainty remains about whether any data were extracted and the scale of the potential impact, particularly given the company’s role in supporting tens of thousands of healthcare providers and millions of patients.

Such an incident reflects broader structural risks within digital healthcare infrastructures, where centralised storage of highly sensitive data increases the potential impact of cyberattacks.

Cloud environments, including services provided by Amazon Web Services, are increasingly integral to such systems, amplifying both efficiency and exposure.

The breach follows a pattern of escalating cyber threats targeting healthcare data, driven by its high value in criminal markets.

As investigations continue, the case underscores the need for stronger data protection measures, enhanced monitoring systems and more robust regulatory oversight to safeguard patient information.

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Australia reviews compliance with under-16 social media age ban

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has released an update on rules requiring platforms to prevent users under 16 from holding accounts. Early results show significant action by companies, but also ongoing challenges in fully enforcing the restrictions.

By mid-December 2025, around 4.7 million accounts were removed or restricted, with more than 300,000 additional accounts blocked by March 2026. Despite these reductions, many children continue to retain accounts, create new ones, or pass age assurance checks.

Regulators identified several compliance concerns, including platforms that allow repeated attempts at age verification and encourage some users to update their ages. Reporting systems for underage accounts were often difficult to access, particularly for parents.

Investigations into five major platforms are ongoing to determine whether they have taken reasonable steps to meet their legal obligations. Authorities are assessing systems and processes rather than individual accounts, with enforcement decisions expected by mid-2026.

A new legislative rule introduced in March 2026 targets platform features linked to potential harm, such as recommender systems and continuous content feeds. Regulators will continue working with industry while gathering evidence and maintaining transparency during the enforcement process.

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Software development dominates AI agent tool usage

Researchers analysed 177,436 AI agent tools created between November 2024 and February 2026 using Model Context Protocol repositories. The study examines how AI agents use external tools to access and modify digital environments.

The tools are grouped into perception, reasoning and action categories based on their function. Perception tools access data, reasoning tools analyse information, and action tools modify systems such as files, emails or external platforms.

Software development accounts for 67% of all tools and 90% of downloads. The findings show that AI agents are primarily used to support coding tasks and related workflows.

The share of action tools increased from 27% to 65% over the 16 months analysed. Most action tools focus on medium-stakes tasks, though some are used for financial transactions and other higher-stakes activities.

The study also outlines a method to monitor AI agent usage through tool-level analysis. This approach can support oversight of risks linked to AI deployment in practical applications.

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EU boosts fact-checking with €5 million disinformation resilience plan

The European Commission has committed €5 million to strengthen independent fact-checking networks, reinforcing efforts to counter disinformation across Europe. The initiative seeks to expand verification capacity in all EU languages while improving coordination among key stakeholders.

The programme introduces a comprehensive support system for fact-checkers, covering legal assistance, cybersecurity protection and psychological support.

It also establishes a centralised European repository of verified information, designed to enhance transparency and improve access to reliable content across the EU.

Led by the European Fact-Checking Standards Network, the project builds on existing frameworks such as the European Digital Media Observatory. The initiative forms part of the EU’s broader strategy to strengthen information integrity and safeguard democratic processes.

By reinforcing independent verification ecosystems, the programme reflects a policy-driven effort to address disinformation threats while supporting a more resilient and trustworthy digital environment across Europe.

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World Data Organisation launches in Beijing to advance global data governance

The World Data Organisation was formally established in Beijing on 30 March 2026, as the first professional international body focused on global data development and governance. The organisation aims to operate as a non-governmental, non-profit platform for dialogue, rule-making, and international collaboration.

The WDO has three stated goals: bridging the data divide, unlocking data’s value, and powering the digital economy. These priorities are intended to reduce disparities in digital capacity between developed and developing countries.

Global data use has become central to addressing challenges such as poverty reduction, public health, climate change, and AI development. Disparities persist, with digitally deliverable services accounting for over 60% of service exports in advanced economies but only 15% in least developed countries.

China’s digital infrastructure has advanced rapidly, with 4.8 million 5G base stations built by the end of 2025, and computing power ranked second globally. Officials said platforms like the WDO and UN will help shape international data governance, promote cooperation, and support secure cross-border data flows.

The WDO seeks to safeguard countries’ rights to develop data while respecting privacy, security, and enterprise interests. By 2030, it is expected to become a globally influential platform and a trusted hub in international data governance.

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Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 AI glasses expands smart eyewear line

Meta has unveiled its first prescription-optimised AI glasses, expanding its wearable line with Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 models for everyday vision correction. The launch targets users who already rely on prescription eyewear, offering a more integrated and comfortable experience.

The range includes Blayzer Optics and Scriber Optics with adjustable hinges, nose pads, and temple tips for a better fit. Pre-orders begin at $499 in the United States via Meta and Ray-Ban platforms, with wider availability in optical retailers and select global markets from 14 April.

Alongside the hardware launch, Meta is introducing new frame and lens colour combinations across its Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta collections.

Additional AI-driven features are also rolling out, including hands-free nutrition tracking, WhatsApp message summaries, and improved on-device recall capabilities designed to enhance everyday communication.

Further software updates extend functionality with discreet handwriting input, in-lens navigation across US cities, and expanded media recording tools. The company positions its AI glasses as a multifunctional platform combining vision correction, connectivity, and real-time assistance.

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