Future of work Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

AI agents test limits of EU rules

AI agents are rapidly gaining traction, raising questions about whether existing EU rules can keep pace. Unlike chatbots, these systems can act autonomously and interact with digital tools on behalf of users.

Experts warn that AI agents require deeper access to personal data and online services to function effectively. Regulators in Europe are monitoring potential risks as the technology becomes more integrated into daily life.

Lawmakers are examining whether current legislation, such as the AI Act and GDPR, adequately covers agent-based systems. Legal experts highlight challenges around contracts, liability and accountability when AI acts independently.

Despite concerns, many governments remain reluctant to introduce new rules, citing regulatory fatigue. Policymakers may rely on existing frameworks unless major incidents force a reassessment of AI oversight.

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Publishers challenge OpenAI over alleged copyright infringement

Legal pressure is increasing on OpenAI as Encyclopaedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster file a lawsuit accusing the company of large-scale copyright violations.

According to the complaint, nearly 100,000 copyrighted articles were allegedly used without authorisation to train large language models. Publishers also argue that AI-generated outputs can reproduce parts of their content, raising concerns about unauthorised distribution.

Additional claims focus on how AI systems retrieve and present information. The lawsuit argues that retrieval-augmented generation tools may rely on proprietary databases, potentially undermining publishers’ business models by reducing traffic to original sources.

Concerns are also raised about inaccurate outputs attributed to publishers, which could affect trust in established information providers. The case highlights ongoing tensions between AI development and intellectual property protections.

Growing legal disputes involving media organisations, including The New York Times, suggest that courts will play a key role in defining how copyrighted material can be used in AI training.

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Google launches AI skills initiative to support Europe’s workforce transition

At the Future of Work Forum, Google introduced ‘AI Works for Europe’, a programme aimed at strengthening digital skills and supporting workforce adaptation to AI across the region.

Funding of $30 million will be directed through Google.org to expand training opportunities, alongside broader access to AI certification programmes designed to help individuals and businesses adopt new technologies in practical contexts.

A central focus involves preparing workers and students for labour market changes.

Partnerships with organisations such as INCO are supporting the development of targeted training programmes, particularly in sectors where demand for AI-related skills is increasing, including finance, logistics and marketing.

New educational pathways are also being introduced, including an expanded AI Professional Certificate available in multiple European languages. These initiatives aim to improve AI literacy and provide hands-on experience aligned with employer expectations.

Collaboration with local organisations and institutions remains a key element, reflecting a broader strategy to ensure access to training across different regions and communities.

Efforts to expand AI capabilities across Europe highlight the growing importance of skills development as AI becomes more integrated into economic activity.

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MIT research highlights embedded and enacted risks in AI

Generative AI offers major productivity and growth opportunities, but also brings new risks as organisations move from experiments to full deployment. MIT research highlights key risk areas, including training data, foundation models, user prompts, and system prompts.

Researchers identify two types of risk.

Embedded risks come from the technology itself, shaped by model behaviour, data quality, and vendor updates, and are mostly outside an organisation’s control.

Enacted risks arise from choices in deploying AI, from prompt design to agent permissions, and require strong governance.

Advanced uses such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and autonomous AI agents increase exposure. RAG uses internal data to improve outputs, but may reveal sensitive information or control gaps. AI agents acting across multiple tools can lead to ‘autonomy creep,’ performing tasks without proper oversight.

To manage AI risk, organisations should map tools, assign ownership, track outputs, and use separate strategies for embedded and enacted risks. Vendor engagement, governance frameworks, and technical controls are essential for safe AI use.

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AI-powered MRI previews aim to reduce errors and rescans

Philips is creating AI-driven predictive MRI previews to improve scan planning and reduce operator variability. Using NVIDIA accelerated computing and foundation models, the system creates a pre-scan image to validate protocols, optimise positioning, and spot potential issues.

The technology is based on a dedicated MR foundation model trained on diverse datasets covering anatomies, field strengths, protocols, and artefacts.

When combined with NVIDIA’s NV‑Generate, NV‑Segment, and NV‑Reason models, the platform integrates image generation, segmentation, and interpretation. It creates a single intelligent workflow that supports consistent and efficient MRI procedures.

Predictive previews reduce rescans, enhance image quality, and increase technologist confidence, especially in complex exams or areas with limited expertise. Early guidance helps confirm protocols, optimise positioning, and flag issues that could affect diagnostic outcomes.

Philips envisions autonomous MRI, with AI monitoring image quality, guiding positioning, and assisting radiologists with actionable insights. Predictive imaging boosts consistency, efficiency, and access, improving patient experience and expanding MRI availability.

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New licensing rules for crypto platforms in Australia

Australia is advancing plans to regulate digital asset platforms under its financial services framework. The Senate committee recommended passing the Digital Assets Framework Bill 2025, bringing Australia closer to licensing crypto exchanges and tokenisation platforms.

Industry groups have raised concerns about definitions such as ‘digital token’ and ‘factual control.’ Broad wording could inadvertently cover infrastructure providers, including multi-party wallet systems, potentially classifying them as financial service operators.

Ripple Labs emphasised the need for precise language to avoid unintended regulation.

The committee supported the Treasury’s approach while planning to refine technical details through future regulations. Coinbase welcomed the progress but noted ongoing banking challenges for crypto firms.

The bill now proceeds to the Senate for debate and a final vote, which could reshape digital asset operations in Australia.

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NVIDIA expands physical AI ecosystem to accelerate real world robotics

Partnerships across the robotics sector are positioning NVIDIA at the centre of what is increasingly described as ‘physical AI’, a shift towards intelligent machines capable of perceiving, reasoning and acting in real environments.

A new generation of tools, including NVIDIA Cosmos world models and updated NVIDIA Isaac simulation frameworks, aims to support developers in training and validating robots before deployment.

These systems enable companies to simulate complex environments, reducing the risks and costs of real-world testing.

Industrial robotics leaders such as ABB Robotics, KUKA, and FANUC are integrating NVIDIA technologies into digital twin environments, enabling more accurate modelling of production lines and automation systems.

Advances are also extending into humanoid robotics, where companies are using AI models to develop machines capable of more flexible and adaptive behaviour.

New foundation models, including GR00T systems, are designed to give robots general-purpose capabilities instead of limiting them to specific tasks.

Healthcare and logistics represent additional areas of deployment, with robotics platforms being tested in surgical systems, warehouse automation and manufacturing environments. These applications highlight how physical AI could reshape industries requiring precision, safety and scalability.

Growing collaboration across cloud providers, manufacturers and AI developers suggests that robotics is moving toward a more integrated ecosystem, where simulation, data generation and deployment are increasingly interconnected.

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Britain targets quantum leadership with £1bn investment

UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Liz Kendall has announced a £1bn funding package to boost UK quantum computing and retain domestic talent.

The initiative reflects growing concern over the country’s ability to compete globally, particularly after the US established dominance in AI.

Officials emphasised the need to retain British startups, engineers, and researchers who often relocate abroad in search of better funding and scaling opportunities. The UK produces top talent, but Google and OpenAI own many leading firms.

The investment will support the development of large-scale quantum computers for use across science, industry, and the public sector. Another £1bn will fund real-world use in finance, pharmaceuticals, and energy.

The government aims to build a fully operational domestic quantum system by the early 2030s.

Quantum computing uses qubits that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, enabling far greater computational power than classical systems. Fully fault-tolerant machines are still in development, but the technology could drive advances in drug discovery, materials science, and complex modelling.

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AI tool could help detect domestic violence risk years earlier

Researchers in the United States have developed an AI system designed to help doctors identify patients who may be at risk of intimate partner violence. The tool analyses hospital data to detect patterns associated with abuse, potentially enabling healthcare professionals to intervene earlier.

Intimate partner violence refers to abuse from current or former partners and can lead to serious injuries, chronic pain, and long-term mental health problems. According to the European Commission, 18 percent of women who have had a partner reported experiencing physical or sexual violence from a partner in 2021.

The study, published in the journal Nature, examined hospital records from nearly 850 women who had experienced intimate partner violence and more than 5,200 similar patients in a control group. Researchers used the data to train three different machine learning systems to detect patterns associated with abuse.

One model analysed structured hospital data, such as age and medical history. A second model examined written clinical notes, including doctors’ observations and radiology reports. A third system combined both data types and achieved the strongest results, correctly identifying risk in 88 percent of cases.

Researchers found that the system could flag potential abuse more than three years before some patients later entered hospital-based intervention programmes. By analysing large datasets, the tool can detect patterns of physical trauma linked to abuse and alert clinicians so they can approach the issue carefully and offer support.

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Seoul deepens ties with global AI developers

South Korea is pursuing a partnership with AI company Anthropic as part of a national strategy to strengthen technological capabilities. Officials are working toward a memorandum of understanding with the developer of the Claude AI system.

The initiative follows discussions between South Korea’s science minister and Anthropic’s chief executive, Dario Amodei, during an AI summit in New Delhi. Authorities are also preparing for the company’s planned office opening in the city in 2026.

Government leaders in South Korea have already expanded cooperation with OpenAI. Policymakers say the strategy aims to build ties with leading global AI developers while supporting domestic innovation.

Officials are also developing a homegrown AI foundation model with local companies. The programme forms part of a national plan to position the country among the world’s leading AI powers.

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