Amazon is rolling out an AI upgrade to its Alexa assistant, aiming to make interactions more conversational and responsive. The new version is designed to follow the context and respond more naturally.
The update comes as Amazon seeks to compete with advanced AI chatbots that have gained popularity in recent years. Critics have argued that smart speakers have fallen behind newer AI tools.
Users in the UK are expected to notice more personalised and proactive responses from the upgraded assistant. This will be based on user and customer personal data. The service will be included with Prime subscriptions or offered as a standalone monthly option.
Analysts say the update could help Amazon gather even more user data and improve engagement by picking up on customers’ habits through conversations. However, questions remain about whether the changes will drive revenue or revive interest in smart speakers.
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Global efforts to regulate AI are accelerating, but innovation continues to outpace formal rules. Policymakers and industry leaders are increasingly turning to standards to help bridge compliance gaps.
At the AI Standards Hub Global Summit, experts highlighted how technical standards support responsible AI development. These tools are seen as essential for scaling AI safely while regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.
Differences across regions remain significant, with the EU relying on formal regulation and the US leaning on flexible standards. This fragmented landscape is raising concerns over compliance costs and barriers to cross-border deployment.
Experts stress that standards must evolve alongside AI while aligning with global frameworks and enforcement efforts. Without coordination, inconsistencies could limit innovation and weaken trust in AI systems.
Calls are growing for shared definitions, measurable benchmarks and stronger international cooperation. Stakeholders argue that aligning standards with regulation will be critical for future AI governance.
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Two researchers have been awarded the Turing Award for pioneering work in quantum cryptography. Their research laid the foundations for a new form of secure communication based on quantum physics.
The method, developed in the 1980s, enables encryption keys that cannot be copied without detection. Any attempt to intercept the data alters its physical properties, revealing interference.
Experts say the approach could become vital as quantum computing advances. Traditional encryption methods may become vulnerable as computing power increases.
The award highlights the growing importance of secure data transmission in a digital world. Researchers believe quantum cryptography could play a central role in encrypting and protecting future communications.
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A Berlin court has ruled that Meta unlawfully processed personal data through its Facebook platform, including information belonging to non-users. Judges found the ‘Find Friends’ feature lacked a valid legal basis for handling third-party data.
The court determined that Meta acted as a data controller and could not rely on consent, contract or legitimate interests to justify the processing. Non-users had no reasonable expectation that their data would be collected or stored.
The German judges also ruled that personalised advertising based on platform data breached GDPR rules. The processing was not considered necessary for providing a social media service and lacked a lawful basis.
However, the court accepted that sensitive personal data entered by users could be processed with explicit consent under the GDPR. The ruling is under appeal and may shape future enforcement of the EU data protection law.
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A committee within the European Parliament has approved a proposal to simplify aspects of AI regulation, marking a step forward in efforts to refine the implementation of the AI Act.
An initiative that seeks to adjust certain requirements to support clearer compliance, particularly for industry stakeholders.
The proposal focuses on technical and procedural elements linked to how AI rules are applied in practice.
Lawmakers aim to ensure that regulatory obligations remain proportionate while maintaining existing safeguards. Part of the discussion includes how specific categories of AI systems should be addressed within the broader framework.
Some elements of the proposal may require further discussion in upcoming negotiations with the Council of the European Union. Areas under consideration include the treatment of sensitive AI applications and the balance between regulatory clarity and enforcement effectiveness.
The development reflects ongoing efforts within the EU to refine its approach to AI governance. As discussions continue, policymakers are expected to assess how adjustments can support innovation while maintaining consistency with existing legal principles.
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Meta has stated that the update allows the platform to monitor messages while maintaining standard privacy safeguards.
End-to-end encryption had been the default for several messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and other Meta services.
The company first signalled its intent to expand encryption across Instagram and Messenger in 2019, implementing it in 2023. The plan was met with objections from organisations such as the Internet Watch Foundation and the Virtual Global Taskforce.
These groups highlighted potential risks in preventing the timely detection of harmful content, particularly child sexual abuse material.
Meta’s shift reflects a compromise between privacy, platform security, and online child safety. The company has not provided further details on changes to encryption policies beyond Instagram’s private messaging service.
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Debate over proposed UK digital market rules is intensifying, with Google outlining its position and emphasising the need to balance competition with user experience and platform integrity. The company said it supports the objectives of the Competition and Markets Authority but warned that some proposals could introduce risks for users.
Google argued that maintaining fair and relevant search results remains a priority, stating that its ranking systems are designed to prioritise quality rather than favour its own services. It cautioned that certain third-party proposals could expose its systems to manipulation, potentially weakening protections against spam and reducing the pace of product improvements.
The company also addressed user choice on Android devices, noting that existing options already allow users to select preferred services. It suggested that adding frequent mandatory choice screens could disrupt user experience, proposing instead a permanent settings-based option to change defaults without repeated prompts.
Regarding publisher relations, Google highlighted efforts to increase control over how content is used, particularly with generative AI features such as AI Overviews. It said new tools are being developed to allow publishers to opt out of specific AI functionalities while maintaining visibility in search results.
Google said it would continue engaging with UK regulators to shape rules that support users, publishers, and businesses, while ensuring that innovation and service quality are not compromised.
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The European Union has been unable to reach an agreement on extending temporary rules that allow online platforms to detect child sexual abuse material, leaving the current framework set to expire in April.
Discussions between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union concluded without reaching a consensus on how to proceed with such measures.
The existing rules permit technology companies to voluntarily scan their services for harmful content, supporting efforts to identify and remove illegal material.
The European Commission had proposed a temporary extension while negotiations continue on a permanent framework under the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation, but differing views on scope and safeguards prevented agreement.
Stakeholders across sectors have highlighted the importance of maintaining effective tools to address online harms, while also emphasising the need to respect fundamental rights.
Previous periods of legal uncertainty have shown that detection capabilities may be affected when such frameworks are absent, although assessments of effectiveness remain subject to ongoing debate.
At the same time, concerns have been raised regarding the broader implications of monitoring digital communications. Some perspectives stress that any approach should carefully consider privacy protections, particularly in relation to secure and encrypted services.
Attention now turns to ongoing negotiations on a long-term regulatory solution.
The outcome will shape how the EU approaches the challenge of addressing harmful online content while safeguarding rights and ensuring proportional and transparent enforcement.
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Cybercrime incidents have surged as AI tools enable more convincing scams, leading to sharply rising losses in Estonia. Authorities reported thousands of phishing and fraud cases affecting individuals and businesses.
Criminals are using AI to generate fluent messages in Estonian, removing a key warning sign that once helped people detect scams. Experts say language accuracy has made fraudulent calls and messages harder to identify.
Growing awareness of scams is also fuelling public anxiety, with some users considering abandoning digital services. Officials warn that loss of trust could undermine confidence in digital systems.
Authorities are urging stronger safeguards and public education to counter the cybersecurity threats. Banks, telecom firms and digital identity providers are introducing new protections while campaigns aim to improve digital awareness.
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The US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued joint guidance confirming that most crypto assets are not securities. Move marks a coordinated effort to clarify how digital assets are classified and regulated across the US.
New interpretation establishes a clearer framework, distinguishing between securities and commodities. While tokens linked to investment contracts may fall under securities laws, many assets can transition out of that category over time, reducing long-standing legal uncertainty.
Earlier approaches relied on enforcement and court rulings, leading to inconsistent treatment of similar assets. Updated guidance introduces defined categories, including utility tokens, stablecoins, collectables, and commodities, and aligns oversight between the two agencies.
Clearer rules are expected to support innovation and reduce compliance risks for firms. Guidance supports broader efforts to build a unified digital asset framework, advancing more predictable and structured crypto regulation in the US.
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