Future of work Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

National security rules to prioritise UK contracts in AI, steel and shipbuilding

The UK government has announced new procurement guidance that will treat shipbuilding, steel, AI, and energy infrastructure as critical to national security, with departments directed to prioritise British businesses where necessary to protect national security. The press release was published on 26 March by the Cabinet Office and its Minister, Chris Ward.

According to the government, the new approach is intended to respond to recent supply-chain fragility and strengthen domestic capacity in sectors it describes as vital to national security. The guidance is presented as the first clear framework for how departments can protect the UK’s economic security and build resilience in the four named sectors.

Additional measures in the package go beyond sector prioritisation. The government says departments will either use British steel or provide a justification if steel is sourced from overseas, linking the change to the UK Steel Strategy launched the previous week. Officials also say the reforms support the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and follow the publication of the National Security Strategy.

Procurement reform is another part of the package. Under a new Public Interest Test, departments will be asked to assess whether outsourced service contracts worth more than £1 million could be delivered more effectively in-house. The government says the test will cover more than 95% of central government contracts by value.

Community impact is also being built into the contracting framework. Departments will be required to publish and report annually on a specific social value goal for contracts above £5 million, which the government says will cover more than 90% of central government contracts by value. Companies bidding for public contracts are also being encouraged to include commitments on local jobs, skills, and apprenticeships.

The press release also says a new suite of AI tools has been developed to streamline the commercial process. Contract terms will be simplified, and additional business information will be integrated into a central platform, with the stated aim of reducing repeated submissions by smaller businesses bidding for multiple contracts.

Chris Ward said: ‘This Government is backing British businesses and the working people who power them. These reforms are about using the full weight of Government spending to support British jobs, protect our national security and grow our economy.’ He added: ‘Whether you make steel in Scunthorpe, build ships on the Clyde or run a small tech firm in the Midlands, this Government is on your side.’

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Mistral AI launches open-source voice model for enterprises

Mistral AI has introduced a new open-source text-to-speech model designed to power voice assistants and enterprise applications, rather than relying on proprietary solutions.

The model, named Voxtral TTS, marks the company’s entry into the competitive voice AI market alongside players such as OpenAI and ElevenLabs.

Voxtral TTS supports nine languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, and Arabic, allowing organisations to deploy multilingual voice systems across different markets.

The Mistral AI model is designed to operate efficiently on devices such as smartphones, laptops, and even wearables, reducing infrastructure costs rather than relying on large-scale cloud systems.

It can replicate custom voices using only a few seconds of audio, capturing accents and speech patterns while maintaining consistency across languages.

The system is optimised for real-time performance, delivering rapid response times and enabling applications such as live translation, dubbing, and customer engagement tools.

Built on a compact architecture, it balances efficiency with high-quality output, aiming to produce natural-sounding speech instead of robotic voice synthesis. Earlier releases of transcription models suggest a broader strategy to develop a full suite of voice technologies.

Looking ahead, Mistral AI plans to expand towards end-to-end multimodal systems capable of handling audio, text, and image inputs within a single platform.

The company’s focus on open-source development and customisation is intended to attract enterprises seeking flexible solutions, positioning its technology as an alternative to closed ecosystems in the growing voice AI market.

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HP reveals advanced AI devices and workflow tools at Imagine 2026

HP has announced a broad set of AI-focused products and workplace tools at HP Imagine 2026, presenting the update as part of a wider effort to simplify work across PCs, collaboration devices, security systems, and workflow platforms.

In a press release published on 24 March, HP said the new portfolio includes AI PCs, collaboration tools, workstations, printers, and software intended for hybrid work and on-device AI use.

HP says the update includes a new intelligence layer called HP IQ, which it describes as a system designed to orchestrate work across AI PCs, workplace devices, and meeting spaces through local AI and proximity-based connectivity.

The company also announced new EliteBook devices, workstation updates, and workflow automation changes through its Workforce Experience Platform and Build Workspace capabilities.

Several sections of the release focus on on-device AI. According to the company, HP IQ will debut on the next generation of EliteBook X G2 AI PCs and will support features such as prompt-based assistance, document analysis, note organisation, and meeting support.

The release also says NearSense is intended to help devices discover, connect, and collaborate, including through file sharing and one-click joining of conference room meetings.

Security is another central theme in the release. HP says it has introduced what it describes as the world’s first hardware solution to stop physical TPM bypass attacks, using a cryptographically bound link between the TPM and CPU.

The company also said it is expanding capabilities in HP Wolf Security and introducing HP Wolf Pro Security Next Gen Antivirus, as well as physical intrusion detection designed to protect memory if a device chassis is opened.

The announcement also includes new printers and document tools. HP says the LaserJet Pro 4000 and 4100 series, and the LaserJet Enterprise 5000 and 6000 series, are intended to support AI-powered document processing and quantum-resistant security. The release also highlights scanning shortcuts, editable OCR, reduced management time, and a design intended to improve serviceability.

For higher-performance users, the company says it is launching a new generation of Z workstations and mobile workstations. The release refers to systems such as the Z8 Fury, Max Side Panel for Z8 Fury and Z4 workstations, and updated mobile workstation models. Advanced AI development, visual effects, and simulation workloads are among the uses cited in the announcement.

Beyond enterprise work, the release also extends the same AI and device strategy into gaming. New HyperX and OMEN products are part of the announcement, including desktops, a gaming and modular ecosystem, and expanded AI game support through OMEN Gaming Hub and OMEN AI.

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UNESCO advances regional AI in education observatory

A UNESCO-led public–private initiative is advancing the establishment of a Regional AI in Education Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean. The project aims to strengthen education systems through the ethical and inclusive application of AI technologies.

A roundtable held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris brought together more than 50 stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and civil society. Participants included universities, development banks, and research institutions providing technical expertise and regional knowledge.

The observatory will act as a shared regional infrastructure supporting evidence-based policy, teacher training, and capacity development. Focus areas include tackling foundational learning challenges in reading and mathematics while ensuring responsible AI integration in classrooms.

The initiative will be officially launched on 14 April 2026 at ECLAC headquarters in Santiago, Chile. Organisers emphasise the need for regional cooperation to guide AI adoption in education, promoting equity, innovation, and long-term learning improvements.

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Oracle expands Oracle AI Database with new agentic AI tools

Oracle has announced new agentic AI capabilities for Oracle AI Database, presenting them as tools for building, deploying, and scaling production-grade AI applications that work with business data across operational databases and analytic lakehouses. The company says the new features are available across multicloud and on-premises environments.

According to Oracle, the announcement concerning Oracle AI Database centres on bringing AI and data together within the database so that agents can securely access real-time enterprise data where it resides. Oracle also says customers can choose AI models, agentic frameworks, open data formats, and deployment platforms, while Oracle Exadata users can use Exadata Powered AI Search for high-volume, multi-step agentic workloads.

Oracle’s new product set includes Oracle Autonomous AI Vector Database, which the company says is intended to simplify vector-based application development while preserving the broader database features of Oracle AI Database. Oracle says the service is available in limited capacity through the Oracle Cloud free tier or a low-cost developer tier, with one-click upgrade to full capabilities as requirements expand.

The company also introduced the Oracle AI Database Private Agent Factory, described as a no-code agent builder that can run in public clouds or on-premises without requiring customers to share data with third parties. Oracle says the service includes pre-built agents such as a Database Knowledge Agent, a Structured Data Analysis Agent, and a Deep Data Research Agent. Oracle Unified Memory Core was also announced as a way to store context for AI agents across vector, JSON, graph, relational, text, spatial, and columnar data, all in a single engine with consistent transactions and security.

A separate part of the announcement focuses on what Oracle describes as AI data risk reduction. Oracle says Deep Data Security applies end-user-specific access rules within the database, so that each user or AI agent acting on a user’s behalf can only see the data the user is allowed to access.

Besides the Oracle AI Database, Oracle also announced Private AI Services Container for customers that want to run private model instances without sharing data with third-party AI providers, including in air-gapped environments. Trusted Answer Search was presented as a method for providing answers based on previously created reports rather than relying directly on large language model responses.

Open standards and interoperability form another part of Oracle’s pitch. Oracle says Vectors on Ice adds native support for vector data stored in Apache Iceberg tables, enabling unified search across database and data-lake content. Oracle also announced an Autonomous AI Database MCP Server to allow external AI agents and MCP clients to access Autonomous AI Database capabilities without custom integration code or manual security administration.

Juan Loaiza, executive vice president of Oracle Database Technologies, said: ‘The next wave of enterprise AI will be defined by customers’ ability to use AI in business-critical production systems to safely deliver breakthrough innovations, insights, and productivity.’ He added: ‘With Oracle AI Database, customers don’t just store data, they activate it for AI. By architecting AI and data together, we help customers quickly build and manage agentic AI applications that can securely query and act on real-enterprise data with stock exchange-level robustness in every leading cloud and on-premises.’

Steven Dickens, CEO and principal analyst at HyperFRAME Research, said: ‘In the era of agentic AI, a unified memory core is essential for agents to maintain context across diverse data types, such as vector, JSON, graph, columnar, spatial, text, and relational, without the latency or staleness of external syncing.’

Dickens added: ‘Only Oracle AI Database delivers this in a single, mission-critical engine with concurrent transactional and analytical processing, high availability, and ironclad security, enabling real-time reasoning over live business data. Organisations without this foundation will struggle with fragmented, unreliable agents, while those leveraging Oracle gain a decisive edge in scalable AI deployment.’

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Open letter targets Meta ad practices

A coalition of civil society and industry groups has urged the European Commission to enforce the Digital Markets Act more rigorously, warning that major tech firms continue to exploit compliance gaps. The appeal centres on concerns over data use and online advertising practices.

Organisations including noyb, Check My Ads, and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties argue that current models fail to offer users genuine choice. Critics say consent mechanisms tied to payment or tracking undermine the intent of the EU digital rules.

The letter against Meta calls for clearer standards, including equal options for personalised and non-personalised advertising, as well as stricter limits on design practices that influence user decisions. Campaigners also want stronger coordination between regulators to ensure consistent enforcement.

The push reflects wider frustration among European organisations, with several recent letters demanding faster action against dominant platforms. Observers warn that delayed enforcement risks weakening the credibility of the EU digital regulation.

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Microsoft launches nonprofit AI training and fellowship initiative

Microsoft has announced a new programme called Microsoft Elevate for Changemakers, aimed at helping nonprofit leaders build AI skills, credentials, and organisational capacity. In a post published on 25 March, the initiative is said to have been introduced alongside the company’s Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit, which it says brought together more than 1,500 nonprofit leaders from around the world.

The company says the programme is designed to help nonprofit organisations adopt AI in ways that reflect their missions and the communities they serve. According to the company, the new initiative includes an AI for Nonprofits credential developed with LinkedIn and NetHope, live and on-demand training on topics such as Copilot, change management, and responsible AI governance, and a Changemaker Fellowship for nonprofit professionals working on AI-related projects.

The AI for Nonprofits credential is a professional certificate built on work across the nonprofit sector, with participants receiving a LinkedIn professional certificate. Microsoft also says the fellowship will provide resources, investment, and expert guidance, while connecting participants to a global cohort and a wider network of nonprofit AI leaders. According to the post, support for the fellowship includes Microsoft and launch partners EY and Caribou.

Microsoft places the announcement within a broader argument about how AI is affecting labour, communities, and service delivery. The company says nonprofits are often closely connected to people seeking new skills, employment pathways, and community support, and that such organisations are well-positioned to help shape AI adoption at the local level. Microsoft also says the programme forms part of its wider Microsoft Elevate commitment and refers to plans to deliver more than $5 billion in discounts, donations, and grants over the next year to support nonprofit organisations and education systems.

Several examples in the post illustrate how Microsoft says AI is already being applied in nonprofit work. Microsoft says ARcare has used AI to reduce administrative work and estimates it has eliminated six to eight hours of manual tasks per day. Opportunity International is cited as using AI to scale a local-language chatbot for farmers, while Head Start Homes is described as using AI to increase organisational bandwidth and attract new funding. The tech conglomerate also points to de Alliantie, saying AI has helped the organisation improve efficiency in housing support operations while maintaining a human-centred approach.

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New Mexico wins major case against Meta

A jury has found Meta Platforms liable for misleading consumers and endangering children in a landmark case brought by the New Mexico Department of Justice. The verdict marks the first successful trial by a US state against a major tech firm over child safety concerns.

Jurors awarded civil penalties totalling 375 million dollars after finding violations of consumer protection law. The case focused on claims that platform design choices exposed young users to harmful and exploitative content.

Evidence presented in court included internal company documents and testimony suggesting awareness of risks to children. Allegations centred on failures to prevent exploitation, as well as features linked to addictive behaviour and exposure to harmful material.

Further proceedings in the US are scheduled, with authorities seeking additional penalties and mandated changes to platform safety measures. Proposed actions include stronger age verification and improved protections for minors online.

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Microsoft and NVIDIA unveil AI tools for nuclear energy permitting and operations

Microsoft has announced an AI collaboration with NVIDIA to support nuclear energy projects across permitting, design, construction, and operations. In a post published on 24 March, the tech conglomerate said the initiative aims to provide end-to-end tools for the nuclear sector, focusing on streamlining permitting, accelerating design, and optimising operations.

Microsoft frames the effort within a broader energy challenge, arguing that rising power demand and long project timelines are putting pressure to accelerate the delivery of firm, carbon-free power. The company says customised engineering, fragmented data, and manual regulatory review slow nuclear projects. It presents AI as a way to make project development more repeatable, traceable, secure, and predictable.

The post says the collaboration spans the full lifecycle of a nuclear plant. Microsoft describes a model in which digital twins, high-fidelity simulations, and AI-assisted workflows support design and engineering, licensing and permitting, construction and delivery, and operations and maintenance.

According to the company, engineers would be able to reuse design patterns, model the impact of changes before construction begins, and link project decisions to supporting evidence and applicable rules. Microsoft also says generative AI can assist with drafting and gap analysis in permit documentation, while predictive modelling and operational digital twins can support anomaly detection and maintenance planning.

Microsoft says traceability and auditability are central to the approach. The company lists four intended qualities of the system: traceable records linking engineering decisions to evidence and regulations, audit-ready documentation, secure use within a governed environment, and predictable outcomes through simulations intended to identify delays before they occur in the real world.

Several case examples are included in the post. Microsoft says Aalo Atomics reduced the permitting process by 92% using its Generative AI for Permitting solution and estimates annual savings of 80$ million.

Aalo Atomics Chief Technology Officer Yasir Arafat is quoted as saying: ‘Two things matter most: enterprise-scale complexity and mission-critical reliability. We’re deploying something complex at a scale only a company like Microsoft really understands. There’s no room for anything less than proven reliability.’

Microsoft also says Southern Nuclear has deployed Copilot agents across engineering and licensing workstreams to improve consistency, reuse knowledge faster, and support decision-making. Idaho National Laboratory is described as an early adopter in the US federal context, with Microsoft saying the lab is using AI capabilities to automate the assembly of engineering and safety analysis reports and to create standard methodologies for regulators to adopt the tools safely.

The post also expands beyond those three examples. Microsoft says Everstar, described as an NVIDIA Inception startup, is bringing domain-specific AI for nuclear to Azure to support project workflows and governed data pipelines.

Everstar Chief Executive Officer Kevin Kong is quoted as saying: ‘The nuclear industry has been bottlenecked by documentation burden and regulatory complexity for decades. This partnership means our customers get the secure, scalable cloud deployments they demand. It’s a significant step toward making nuclear power fast, safe, and unstoppable.’

Microsoft also says Atomic Canyon’s Neutron platform is available on the Microsoft Marketplace for nuclear developers via established procurement channels.

At the technical level, Microsoft says the collaboration brings together NVIDIA Omniverse, NVIDIA Earth-2, NVIDIA CUDA-X, NVIDIA AI Enterprise, PhysicsNeMo, Isaac Sim, and Metropolis with Microsoft Generative AI for Permitting Solution Accelerator and Microsoft Planetary Computer. The company presents the stack as a digital ecosystem for nuclear energy on Azure.

The official post is a corporate announcement rather than an independent assessment of the approach’s effectiveness. The published note outlines the company’s intended use cases, named partners, and customer examples, but it does not provide a third-party evaluation of the broader claims regarding delivery speed, regulatory confidence, or sector-wide impact.

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Zimbabwe advances AI national strategy with UNESCO support

Zimbabwe has launched a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2026 to 2030, marking a significant step towards shaping its digital future instead of relying solely on traditional development pathways.

Announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare, the strategy sets out a national framework for the responsible use of AI to support innovation, improve public services, and expand economic opportunities across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, finance, and public administration.

The strategy places strong emphasis on building digital infrastructure, developing AI skills, and strengthening research and innovation ecosystems.

Officials highlighted the importance of governance frameworks to ensure that AI systems remain transparent, ethical, and aligned with national priorities instead of advancing without oversight.

The initiative reflects a broader effort to position Zimbabwe within the evolving technological landscape of the fourth industrial revolution while promoting sustainable economic growth.

Development of the strategy was supported by UNESCO, working alongside national institutions and stakeholders from academia, industry, and civil society.

The process was informed by the Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Methodology and aligned with UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, promoting a human-centred approach that prioritises human rights, fairness, and transparency.

Regional initiatives across Southern Africa have also contributed to strengthening AI adoption readiness through similar assessment frameworks.

Looking ahead, Zimbabwe aims to translate the strategy into concrete investments in infrastructure, talent development, and innovation ecosystems.

International partners, including the UN, have expressed support for implementation efforts, emphasising the importance of inclusive growth and equitable access to digital opportunities.

By combining national leadership with international collaboration, Zimbabwe seeks to ensure that AI benefits communities across urban and rural areas rather than widening existing socioeconomic divides.

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