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US SEC outlines roadmap for market growth, digital assets and investor protection

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released a draft strategic plan outlining its priorities for the coming years, with a focus on investor protection, market efficiency and capital formation.

The agency is seeking public feedback on the proposal, which also highlights the growing importance of digital assets and emerging technologies within the financial system.

Under the plan, the SEC aims to modernise its regulatory framework by supporting innovation while maintaining market integrity. Among its objectives is the development of a clearer and more consistent regulatory approach to digital assets and distributed ledger technologies, with the aim of providing businesses and investors with greater certainty.

The regulator also intends to strengthen engagement with market participants and review existing rules to improve compliance and effectiveness. The draft plan states that enforcement should focus on fraud, market manipulation and violations of existing laws, rather than relying on expansive interpretations of regulatory authority.

Technology modernisation is also a key component of the strategy, including plans to upgrade legacy systems and expand the use of technologies such as AI and blockchain. According to the SEC, these improvements could enhance oversight capabilities, reduce operational costs, and improve efficiency across the agency.

Why does it matter?

The SEC plays a central role in regulating the world’s largest capital market, making its approach to digital assets and emerging technologies influential beyond the United States. Greater regulatory clarity could affect how businesses develop blockchain-based services, how investors engage with digital assets and how other jurisdictions shape their own regulatory frameworks.

The proposal also signals a broader shift towards integrating AI and advanced technologies into financial supervision, reflecting growing efforts by regulators to adapt to increasingly digital and technology-driven markets.

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Australia issues guidance for government use of agentic AI

Australia’s Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has issued an agentic AI addendum to its AI Technical Standard, providing guidance for government agencies exploring, developing or deploying agentic AI systems. The document provides best-practice guidance for agencies exploring, developing, or using agentic AI and states that existing requirements in the AI technical standard remain applicable.

The addendum says agentic AI systems may autonomously plan tasks, coordinate work, and trigger actions in real-world contexts. The addendum notes that agentic AI could improve the responsiveness, efficiency and consistency of public services, particularly in high-volume administrative environments, while also introducing new risks related to oversight, control and system behaviour.

The guidance defines agentic AI as systems capable of perceiving and interpreting their environment, maintaining an internal state, reasoning about objectives and autonomously executing actions within defined permissions and constraints. Agencies are advised to implement human oversight, operational safeguards, continuous evaluation processes and mechanisms that allow systems to be rolled back when necessary.

The addendum sets out guidance across the AI lifecycle, including governance and safeguards, memory management, workflow design, secure data exchange, technology selection, evaluation, tool integration, monitoring, and decommissioning. It also calls for clear human accountability, human-in-the-loop or human-on-the-loop oversight, auditable decision records, and orchestration layers.

The guidance recommends ongoing monitoring of agent behaviour, tool usage, memory functions, operational costs, latency, authorisations and changes in the operating environment. The addendum also recommends centralised oversight mechanisms, referred to as ‘control towers’, and calls for the secure decommissioning of agentic AI resources, including agents, associated data, memory stores, tools and system logs.

Why does it matter?

Agentic AI represents a shift from AI systems that generate outputs in response to prompts to systems capable of planning, coordinating tasks and taking actions with limited human intervention. While these capabilities could improve efficiency and service delivery, they also create new governance, accountability and security challenges.

Australia’s guidance reflects growing international efforts to establish safeguards for increasingly autonomous AI systems. The emphasis on human oversight, auditability and lifecycle governance highlights concerns that public-sector AI deployments must remain transparent, controllable and accountable as the technology evolves.

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AI and systemic risk analytics focus of Helsinki conference

The Bank of Finland and the European Systemic Risk Board are holding their 11th joint conference on AI and systemic risk analytics in Helsinki on 3 and 4 June.

The event focuses on how AI methods and new data sources can support financial stability analysis, while also creating new challenges for economies and financial markets.

The conference aims to present research on financial stability and systemic risk analysis using AI methods, novel techniques, and new data sources. Topics include the use of large language models and trustworthy AI, changing interdependencies in financial markets, cybersecurity and operational risks, and AI combined with quantum computing as a possible source of new systemic risks.

The programme also covers more traditional systemic risk analytics and macroprudential policy tools, including early-warning indicators, network and contagion analysis, macro stress-testing, big data analytics, market-based finance, and geopolitical risk modelling.

Speakers include Bank of Finland Governor and ESRB First Vice-Chair Olli Rehn, who will address systemic risk, resilience, and competitiveness in a changing technological landscape. Other sessions will examine systemic cyber risk in financial networks, AI and risk-taking in banking, generative AI in economics and finance research, and AI-related financial system interdependencies.

The hybrid conference will include keynotes, panel discussions, presentations, and poster sessions, with online participation available.

Why does it matter?

The conference shows that AI is becoming a financial stability issue, not only a tool for efficiency or market analysis. Central banks and systemic risk authorities are examining how AI can improve risk detection, stress testing, and data analysis, while also creating new vulnerabilities through cyber risk, operational dependencies, market interconnections, and potential herding behaviour.

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India and South Africa deepen cooperation on AI and emerging technologies

India and South Africa have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies, with AI, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing identified as key areas for future collaboration.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between India’s Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina. Both sides emphasised the need to expand traditional scientific cooperation into innovation-driven partnerships aimed at delivering economic and societal benefits.

Discussions covered biotechnology, genomics, vaccine development, health technologies, renewable energy, hydrogen, advanced manufacturing and digital innovation. The two countries also explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in quantum technologies, geospatial technologies and digital infrastructure.

The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing scientific relationship between the two countries and concluded with a commitment to strengthen innovation ecosystems through research collaboration, startup partnerships, technology deployment and industry engagement.

Why does it matter?

India and South Africa are among the leading technology and innovation hubs in the Global South. Expanding cooperation in AI, digital infrastructure, healthcare and advanced manufacturing could help accelerate technological development while fostering greater knowledge exchange and investment opportunities.

The partnership also reflects a broader trend of emerging economies seeking to strengthen innovation ecosystems and reduce reliance on technology supply chains and platforms concentrated in a small number of countries.

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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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Hong Kong details rules on online advertisements

Hong Kong’s government has said existing laws cover deceptive online advertisements, including scam-related content, misleading trade practices, and false claims in regulated sectors.

The written reply was issued in the Legislative Council on 3 June in response to a question about pop-up advertisements, programmatic advertising, and AI deepfake scams.

The government said the Trade Descriptions Ordinance prohibits false or misleading descriptions of goods or services, including in advertisements and on online platforms. Traders engaging in bait advertising or other prohibited conduct can face up to five years in prison and a fine of HK$500,000.

The reply also said online advertisements involving deception may fall under the Theft Ordinance. Fraud carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, while obtaining property by deception carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.

Advertisements for specific sectors, including real estate, education, securities, and banking, are also subject to separate laws prohibiting false or misleading claims.

Hong Kong police have been working with online platform operators and conducting regular online patrols. In 2025, police asked social media platforms to remove or review more than 116,000 scam-related pages or accounts.

The government also pointed to Scameter and Scameter+, its scam and pitfall search tools. New features introduced in October 2025 use AI to analyse suspicious website links and web page screenshots reported by the public, and to detect potential scam domain names. Within five months, the tools proactively identified more than 900 fraudulent webpages, while Scameter+ issued more than 320,000 alerts in the first quarter of 2026.

Why does it matter?

The reply shows how Hong Kong is using existing consumer protection, fraud, and sector-specific laws to address online advertising risks, rather than introducing a dedicated online advertising regime for now. The inclusion of AI deepfake scams and AI-assisted Scameter+ detection also highlights how online advertising, platform governance, fraud prevention, and automated enforcement tools are increasingly interconnected.

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Armenia expands AI ecosystem through research, infrastructure and investment

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said government initiatives have helped position Armenia as an emerging centre for technology and AI, according to remarks reported by state news agency Armenpress. Speaking during the election campaign, Pashinyan highlighted several projects that he said demonstrate the government’s efforts to strengthen Armenia’s technology sector.

Pashinyan highlighted agreements signed with US President Donald Trump last year, including cooperation on AI. He argued that subsequent developments in the sector have validated the government’s approach.

As examples of progress, the Prime Minister cited the establishment of an AI centre at Yerevan State University and the launch of the Eleveight AI data centre. He also linked developments in the sector to increased public investment in science and higher salaries for researchers.

Pashinyan said investment in the defence sector has supported technological development and stated that Armenian defence companies are exporting products internationally. He made the remarks during campaigning ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections.

Why does it matter?

Armenia is seeking to expand its role in emerging technologies at a time when countries are increasingly investing in AI infrastructure, research capacity and digital innovation as drivers of economic growth and competitiveness.

The government’s focus on AI cooperation, research institutions and data centre infrastructure reflects broader efforts to strengthen domestic technological capabilities and attract investment in the digital economy.

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UK CMA targets AI search content use in new Google conduct requirements

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has imposed a new conduct requirement on Google Search under the country’s digital markets competition regime. The measure is designed to give publishers greater control over how their content is used and to improve transparency for users.

Under the new requirement, publishers will be able to prevent their content from being used in Google’s AI-powered search features, including AI Overviews. The CMA said the measure is intended to strengthen publishers’ ability to negotiate content licensing and usage agreements with Google.

Google will also be required to provide clearer attribution for publisher content used in AI-generated search results through prominently visible links. Following consultation feedback, publishers will also be able to opt out of having their content used to fine-tune Google’s AI models.

The CMA said it will continue monitoring Google’s AI-related changes to search and may introduce additional measures if competition concerns persist. Google will have up to nine months to implement the requirements and must publish regular compliance reports as the rollout progresses in the UK.

Why does it matter?

The decision highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of how AI-powered search systems use third-party content. As search engines increasingly generate answers directly within search results, publishers have raised concerns about attribution, traffic losses and the use of their content for AI training.

The UK’s approach could influence broader debates about the relationship between AI platforms, publishers and competition policy, particularly as regulators seek to balance innovation with transparency and fair commercial practices.

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ILO chief calls for human-centred AI governance at labour conference

International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo has called for a human-centred approach to AI at the opening of the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva. He said the future of work would depend not only on technological advances, but also on the policies, institutions and social dialogue shaping their impact on people’s lives.

Drawing on his report ‘A Moment of Choice: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Decent Work‘, Houngbo outlined an agenda focused on rights, employment and skills, social protection, and social dialogue. He argued that productivity gains generated by AI should be shared through higher wages, stronger labour protections and more inclusive economic growth.

Houngbo warned that decisions taken today would determine whether AI expands opportunity and shared prosperity or contributes to greater inequality and insecurity. He also situated AI governance within a broader context of economic uncertainty, citing ILO estimates that a prolonged oil-price shock could reduce global working hours by the equivalent of millions of full-time jobs and lead to significant labour income losses by 2027.

Delegates will also hold a second discussion on decent work in the platform economy, with the aim of developing new international labour standards. The draft Convention and Recommendation cover employment promotion, protections for digital platform workers, and provisions relating to automated systems used by digital labour platforms.

Delegates from governments, employers, and workers will also address gender equality, social dialogue, tripartism, and the application of labour standards. The conference, which brings together representatives from the ILO’s 187 Member States, will run until 12 June.

Why does it matter?

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into workplaces, governments, employers and workers are debating how productivity gains, skills requirements and labour protections should evolve. The ILO’s focus on human-centred AI reflects growing international efforts to ensure that technological change supports decent work rather than exacerbating inequality.

The discussions are also significant because they could influence future international labour standards for platform work and the use of automated systems in employment, helping shape how AI affects workers worldwide.

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Georgia launches crackdown on unlawful crypto mining

The Georgian government has announced new measures to combat illegal cryptocurrency mining in Mestia, citing concerns over pressure on the country’s electricity network.

Vice Prime Minister Mamuka Mdinaradze said unauthorised mining activity in the municipality has placed sustained pressure on local power supplies, worsened supply quality, overloaded the grid and transmission lines, and contributed to outages affecting residents, businesses, and tourism.

According to Mdinaradze, electricity consumption in Mestia reached 133 million kilowatt-hours in 2025, while a municipality of comparable size would normally not exceed 10 million kilowatt-hours. Authorities estimate the resulting damage to the electricity system and financial losses at at least 20 to 25 million lari.

To address the issue, the government will begin installing electricity meters in Mestia. Officials said the purpose of the process is to identify illegal and hidden electricity consumption while preserving free electricity access for ordinary users up to a maximum quantity required for their needs.

Consumption above that limit will be subject to a tariff. Metering will be carried out locally and across villages and settlements to help identify the sources of excessive electricity use.

Law enforcement agencies have been tasked with supporting and overseeing the rollout. Officials said large-scale illegal electricity consumption will be investigated and prosecuted, and warned that attempts to obstruct the process or continue unlawful activity will face legal consequences.

Why does it matter?

The case shows how cryptocurrency mining can become an energy governance issue when high electricity consumption strains local infrastructure. Georgia’s response focuses less on crypto regulation itself and more on identifying unlawful electricity use, protecting grid stability, and balancing subsidised or free household electricity with enforcement against commercial-scale mining activity.

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