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Spain promotes national cybersecurity support helpline

Spain’s National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) has highlighted its free and confidential 017 helpline, which provides specialist advice on digital security issues for citizens, businesses, professionals and educational institutions.

The helpline provides guidance on scams, phishing, identity theft, compromised accounts, social media privacy, cyberbullying, device security and protecting personal information. It also advises on parental controls, online child safety, digital identity management and the safe use of apps and social media platforms.

INCIBE stressed that 017 is a cybersecurity advisory service rather than a reporting channel or technical support line. Specialists explain appropriate reporting procedures, direct users to the relevant authorities where necessary and assess each case individually.

The service is available daily from 8:00 to 23:00 via telephone, WhatsApp, Telegram, an online form and, by appointment, in person at INCIBE’s headquarters in León.

Why does it matter?

As cyber threats become more common, many users need trusted advice before or after an incident rather than only technical assistance or law enforcement support. Services such as INCIBE’s 017 helpline can help individuals and organisations respond more effectively while improving awareness of everyday cyber risks.

The initiative also reflects a broader shift towards strengthening national cyber resilience through public support services. By combining technical, legal and practical guidance in a single point of contact, governments can encourage earlier reporting, better cyber hygiene and more effective responses to digital security incidents.

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South Korea to launch free national AI service

South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT has announced plans to launch the ‘AI for Everyone’ project this year, providing a homegrown AI service that anyone in the country can use free of charge without usage limits.

The ministry will select participating companies through an open call for proposals. A beta version is scheduled for late September, followed by the launch of a general-purpose AI chatbot and an AI agent to help users search for and apply for public services.

According to the ministry, the project aims to reduce reliance on overseas AI services while narrowing the digital divide. It also responds to concerns about restrictions on free AI services and possible changes by global technology companies. The nationwide service is expected to launch before the end of 2026.

Why does it matter?

The initiative combines digital inclusion with technological sovereignty by offering unrestricted access to a domestically developed AI service. Removing cost and usage limits could broaden AI adoption while integrating generative AI more closely into public services.

The project also reflects a wider international trend of governments investing in national AI capabilities to reduce dependence on foreign providers. As AI becomes part of essential digital infrastructure, countries are increasingly seeking greater control over the services, platforms and data that underpin public-sector AI deployment.

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European Commission expands AI assistant across global DG INTPA network

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) has expanded the use of an AI assistant to support staff across its headquarters and delegations in more than 100 countries.

Launched in March 2026 and developed with Accenture, the AI assistant is tailored to DG INTPA’s internal procedures, terminology and policy work. According to Accenture, the platform has more than 2,000 regular users and has processed over 400,000 queries.

The assistant combines large language models with secure access to internal documents and internet connectivity to support policy, funding and operational tasks. The programme also includes staff training and human oversight to promote the responsible use of AI.

According to Accenture, the next phase will introduce agentic AI capabilities for selected workflows, alongside a user feedback mechanism to help refine the system.

Why does it matter?

The deployment illustrates how AI is moving from pilot projects to routine administrative support within public institutions. Rather than focusing only on productivity, the Commission is combining AI tools with governance measures such as staff training and human oversight to support responsible adoption.

The planned introduction of agentic AI also reflects a broader shift towards more autonomous workplace systems. If successful, DG INTPA’s experience could inform wider adoption of AI across EU institutions and other public administrations seeking to modernise policy and operational processes.

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UK launches £800,000 AI Upskilling Challenge Fund in Barnsley

The UK government has opened applications for the £800,000 AI Upskilling Challenge Fund under the Barnsley Tech Town programme to support AI skills development for workers, businesses and local communities.

Training providers, charities, colleges, businesses and technology companies across the UK can apply, provided their projects are delivered in Barnsley. Priority groups include manufacturing workers, older residents, small businesses and people entering the workforce.

The government said successful projects should demonstrate the potential to be scaled nationally. Lessons from the programme will contribute to its goal of equipping 10 million workers with AI skills by 2030.

Applications open on 15 July through the government’s Find a Grant platform. Barnsley Council said the funding forms part of wider plans to strengthen the town’s digital economy and support its manufacturing and logistics sectors.

Why does it matter?

The programme illustrates how AI policy is increasingly shifting from national strategies towards place-based implementation. By testing AI training programmes in a manufacturing-focused community, the government hopes to identify approaches that could be replicated elsewhere as AI adoption accelerates across the economy.

The initiative also reflects the growing recognition that AI competitiveness depends not only on developing new technologies but also on expanding workforce skills. Helping workers and small businesses adopt AI could improve productivity while reducing the risk that parts of the labour market are left behind during the transition.

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EPO highlights Europe’s growing quantum innovation ecosystem

The European Patent Office (EPO) highlighted Europe’s growing quantum and AI innovation ecosystem during Servus Scale Up 2026 in Munich, pointing to rapid growth in quantum patenting and new initiatives to help startups commercialise deep-tech innovation.

The event brought together around 200 French and Bavarian startups, investors, researchers, technology transfer experts and policymakers to strengthen cross-border cooperation and support deep-tech entrepreneurship in strategically important technologies.

EPO Vice President Christoph Ernst said quantum patenting in Europe has increased fivefold over the past decade. According to recent EPO findings, annual growth has averaged around 20%, significantly outpacing overall patent growth.

Europe’s share of international patent families in quantum technologies also increased from 19% to 25%, reinforcing the continent’s position in one of the world’s fastest-growing technology fields.

The EPO also showcased initiatives designed to support innovators and investors. Its Deep Tech Finder now includes nearly 150 European quantum startups.

Other initiatives, including the EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology, the joint OECD study on quantum technologies, the Quantum Technology Platform and the recently launched EPO Data Desk, provide patent intelligence, market insights and analytical tools to help identify emerging opportunities and support investment decisions.

The EPO noted that although Europe has a strong research and innovation base in quantum technologies, access to funding remains more limited than in the United States. By combining patent data with market intelligence, the Office aims to help startups scale, attract investment and strengthen Europe’s long-term competitiveness in quantum technologies and AI.

Why does it matter?

Quantum technologies are expected to play an increasingly important role in fields ranging from cybersecurity and communications to healthcare and advanced computing. Strong patent activity suggests Europe remains competitive in research, but commercial success will also depend on access to investment and the ability to scale innovative companies.

By combining patent intelligence with tools for investors and startups, the EPO is seeking to strengthen Europe’s deep-tech ecosystem and improve the commercialisation of emerging technologies. This reflects a broader European effort to translate scientific leadership into long-term industrial competitiveness.

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South Korea prioritises AI and semiconductor investment in the 2027 budget

South Korea plans to introduce a record national budget exceeding KRW 800 trillion (around €500 billion) in 2027, with semiconductors, AI and youth employment at the centre of its investment strategy.

Announced during the National Fiscal Strategy Meeting, the proposed budget would increase by more than 10% compared with 2026, reflecting the government’s focus on strengthening industrial competitiveness, technological leadership and long-term economic growth.

A significant share of the funding will support three flagship initiatives focused on semiconductors, AI data centres and physical AI technologies.

The government also plans to accelerate the development of Yongin and the Honam region as major semiconductor manufacturing hubs through administrative measures including fast-track licensing and exemptions from preliminary feasibility studies for strategic projects.

Beyond industrial policy, the budget includes measures aimed at supporting citizens directly. A new Future Response Fund will finance the training of 200,000 young professionals, help create around 300,000 jobs and improve housing stability.

South Korea also plans to expand employment insurance and workers’ compensation coverage for platform workers while establishing a new K-Labour Council to strengthen labour protections.

To address fiscal sustainability, the government announced a comprehensive review of public spending aimed at generating around KRW 50 trillion in efficiency savings, described as the largest restructuring of government expenditure in the country’s history.

According to the government, the combination of strategic investment and spending reforms is intended to promote innovation while maintaining long-term fiscal sustainability.

Why does it matter?

The budget demonstrates how industrial policy is becoming a central tool for strengthening technological competitiveness. By prioritising semiconductors, AI infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, South Korea is seeking to reinforce its position in sectors that are increasingly viewed as critical to economic growth and national security.

The package also shows that governments are increasingly pairing technology investment with workforce development and labour reforms. Building AI and semiconductor capacity will require not only infrastructure and capital but also a skilled workforce capable of supporting long-term innovation.

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European Commission approves €659 million for four German chip projects

The European Commission has approved €659 million in German State aid to support the construction of four first-of-a-kind semiconductor manufacturing facilities, strengthening Europe’s chip supply chain and advancing the objectives of the European Chips Act and the proposed Chips Act 2.0.

The projects aim to expand manufacturing capacity across several strategic segments of the semiconductor value chain while reducing the EU’s dependence on external suppliers.

The approved funding will support four companies across Germany.

Element 3-5 will receive €353 million to manufacture advanced silicon carbide epi wafers in North Rhine-Westphalia, while Vishay will receive €214 million to produce next-generation power MOSFET semiconductors in Schleswig-Holstein.

KLA will receive €74.4 million to manufacture advanced semiconductor metrology equipment in Hesse, and KETEK will receive €17.9 million to establish new production lines for specialised detector chips in Bavaria. The projects are jointly financed by the German federal government and regional authorities.

The Commission concluded that all four facilities qualify as first-of-a-kind manufacturing projects in Europe and are necessary to strengthen the resilience of the European semiconductor ecosystem.

In return for the public support, the companies committed to collaborating with universities, research institutions, startups and SMEs, prioritising customer orders during supply shortages, investing in specialised workforce training and sharing project-related profits with Germany if returns exceed agreed expectations.

The decision forms part of the EU’s broader semiconductor strategy. The Commission noted that the approvals represent the fifteenth to eighteenth projects authorised under the European Chips Act, bringing total approved public support across Member States to around €14.2 billion.

The projects also complement the proposed Chips Act 2.0, which aims to further expand Europe’s semiconductor manufacturing capacity and reduce strategic technological dependencies.

Why does it matter?

Semiconductors underpin nearly every modern digital technology, from AI and electric vehicles to telecommunications and industrial automation. Expanding Europe’s domestic manufacturing capacity strengthens supply chain resilience, supports technological sovereignty and reinforces the EU’s competitiveness in one of the world’s most strategic industries.

The decision also demonstrates how the EU is increasingly using State aid to accelerate investment in strategically important technologies. By supporting first-of-a-kind manufacturing facilities, the Commission aims to strengthen Europe’s long-term industrial resilience while reducing reliance on overseas semiconductor production.

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South Korea expands blockchain strategy with stablecoin plans

South Korea is keeping blockchain and digital assets on its policy agenda for the second half of 2026, alongside much larger investments in AI and semiconductors.

The government’s plans include work on stablecoin legislation, tokenised financial infrastructure and blockchain-based public-sector pilots.

Authorities are expected to move forward with the proposed Digital Asset Basic Act, which would create a broader legal framework for digital asset businesses and Korean won-backed stablecoins.

The government has also considered rules for cross-border stablecoin transactions and amendments that could support the introduction of spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds.

Blockchain adoption is also being tested in public finance. South Korea plans to pilot tokenised government bonds linked to the Bank of Korea’s institutional central bank digital currency project in 2027.

The Bank of Korea is also expected to examine interoperability between its institutional CBDC system and other blockchain networks.

At the local level, Gyeonggi Province is preparing a stablecoin pilot to test government payments, settlement and fraud-prevention technologies.

The plans show that blockchain remains part of South Korea’s digital strategy, even as AI, semiconductors and data-centre infrastructure dominate the country’s broader technology investment agenda.

Why does it matter?

South Korea’s roadmap shows that blockchain policy is moving beyond exchange regulation towards stablecoins, tokenised public finance and institutional digital-asset infrastructure. Clearer rules for won-backed stablecoins and crypto ETFs could increase legal certainty and institutional participation. At the same time, the focus on tokenised government bonds and CBDC interoperability suggests South Korea is exploring how blockchain could fit into public financial infrastructure, not only private crypto markets.

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Japan reviews legal protection for AI voice imitation

Japan’s Justice Ministry has prepared a draft report on civil liability for the unauthorised use of people’s voices and images through generative AI.

The draft focuses on the protection of famous individuals, including celebrities, singers and voice actors, as AI tools make it easier to imitate real voices and appearances.

It was submitted to an expert committee on 13 July, with a final report expected as early as August.

The ministry said the report could serve as a reference in lawsuits and AI development, as Japanese courts have not yet issued clear rulings on rights related specifically to voice imitation.

One scenario examined in the draft involves AI-generated audio that could mislead the public into believing a voice actor had read obscene material online for profit.

The draft says such use could be illegal if it harms a person’s dignity, honour or peace of mind beyond a tolerable limit.

It also outlines criteria for assessing whether an AI-generated voice is similar to that of a famous person and whether it may infringe publicity rights.

At the same time, the draft suggests that parody, impersonation and artistic mimicry would generally not infringe publicity rights when they are presented as expressive acts based on resemblance.

The review comes amid growing concern in Japan over AI covers and the unauthorised use of singers’ and voice actors’ voices in synthetic performances.

Why does it matter?

Japan’s draft report shows how generative AI is forcing legal systems to revisit personality, publicity and dignity protections. Voice imitation is especially sensitive because it can affect reputation, commercial value and personal autonomy even when no copyrighted recording is copied. The Japanese approach could influence how courts and AI developers assess consent, similarity, commercial use and harm in cases involving synthetic voices, AI covers and celebrity likenesses.

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OpenAI brings ChatGPT back to WhatsApp across the EEA

OpenAI has restored ChatGPT on WhatsApp across the European Economic Area (EEA), allowing users to access the chatbot through the verified 1-800-CHATGPT contact number.

Users can start chatting by messaging +1-800-242-8478 on WhatsApp without creating or linking a ChatGPT account. Availability is determined by the country code associated with the user’s WhatsApp number and may roll out gradually across the region.

ChatGPT on WhatsApp supports text conversations in multiple languages, image uploads, voice notes, and image generation. Users who link their ChatGPT accounts receive higher usage limits, though linking remains optional.

Usage limits, and OpenAI says the service is intended for users aged 13 and over. As with other ChatGPT products, the company warns that responses may contain mistakes.

The launch expands OpenAI’s presence of messaging platforms, following ChatGPT integrations with Kakao in South Korea and Viber in supported markets.

Why does it matter?

The return of ChatGPT on WhatsApp makes generative AI more accessible by bringing it into one of the world’s most widely used messaging platforms. Users can interact with the chatbot without downloading a dedicated app or creating an account, lowering barriers to adoption.

The rollout also reflects a broader trend towards embedding AI assistants within familiar communication platforms rather than requiring users to switch between separate applications. As messaging services become gateways to AI, they are increasingly evolving into everyday productivity and information tools.

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