Future of work

Morocco outlines national AI roadmap to 2030

Morocco is preparing to unveil ‘Maroc IA 2030’, a national AI roadmap designed to structure the country’s AI ecosystem and strengthen digital transformation.

The strategy seeks to modernise public services, improve interoperability across digital systems and enhance economic competitiveness, according to officials ahead of the ‘AI Made in Morocco’ event in Rabat.

A central element of the plan involves the creation of Al Jazari Institutes, a national network of AI centres of excellence connecting academic research with innovation and regional economic needs.

A roadmap that prioritises technological autonomy, trusted AI use, skills development, support for local innovation and balanced territorial coverage instead of fragmented deployment.

The initiative builds on the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy launched in 2024, which places AI at the core of national digital policy.

Authorities expect the combined efforts to generate around 240,000 digital jobs and contribute approximately $10 billion to gross domestic product by 2030, while improving the international AI readiness ranking of Morocco.

Additional measures include the establishment of a General Directorate for AI and Emerging Technologies to oversee public policy and the development of an Arab African regional digital hub in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme.

Their main goal is to support sustainable and responsible digital innovation.

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Claude expands into healthcare and life sciences

Healthcare and life sciences organisations face increasing administrative pressure, fragmented systems, and rapidly evolving research demands. At the same time, regulatory compliance, safety, and trust remain critical requirements across all clinical and scientific operations.

Anthropic has launched new tools and connectors for Claude in Microsoft Foundry to support enterprise-scale AI workflows. Built on Azure’s secure infrastructure, the platform promotes responsible integration across data, compliance, and workflow automation environments.

The new capabilities are designed specifically for healthcare and life sciences use cases, including prior authorisation review, claims appeals processing, care coordination, and patient triage.

In research and development, the tools support protocol drafting, regulatory submissions, bioinformatics analysis, and experimental design.

According to Anthropic, the updates build on significant improvements in Claude’s underlying models, delivering stronger performance in areas such as scientific interpretation, computational biology, and protein understanding.

The aim is to enable faster, more reliable decision-making across regulated, real-world workflows.

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AI enters Colorado classrooms as schools experiment with generative tools

Teachers across Colorado are exploring how AI can be utilised as an instructional assistant to support classroom instruction and student learning.

Some educators are experimenting with generative AI tools that help with tasks like lesson planning, summarising material and creating examples, while also educating students on responsible use of AI.

The broader trend mirrors state and district efforts to develop AI strategies for education. Reports indicate that many districts are establishing steering committees and policies to guide the safe and effective use of classrooms.

In contrast, others limit student access due to privacy concerns, underscoring the need for training and clear guidelines.

Teachers have noted both benefits, such as time savings and personalised support, and challenges, including ethical questions about plagiarism and student independence, highlighting a period of experimentation and adjustment as AI becomes part of mainstream education.

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Welsh government backs AI adoption with £2.1m support

The Welsh Government is providing £2.1 million in funding to support small and medium-sized businesses across Wales in adopting AI. The initiative aims to promote the ethical and practical use of AI, enhancing productivity and competitiveness.

Business Wales will receive £600,000 to deliver an AI awareness and adoption programme, following recent reviews on SME productivity. Additional funding will enhance tourism and events through targeted AI projects and practical workshops.

A further £1 million will expand AI upskilling through the Flexible Skills Programme, addressing digital skills gaps across regions and sectors. Employers will contribute part of the training costs to support inclusive growth.

Swansea-based Something Different Wholesale is already using AI to automate tasks, analyse market data and improve customer services. Welsh ministers say the funding supports the responsible adoption of AI, aligned with the AI Plan for Wales.

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Young people worry about jobs and inflation

Rising living costs and economic instability are the biggest worries for young people worldwide. A World Economic Forum survey shows inflation dominates personal and global concerns.

Many young people fear that AI-driven automation will shrink entry-level job opportunities. Two-thirds expect fewer early career roles despite growing engagement with AI tools.

Nearly 60 per cent already use AI to build skills and improve employability. Side hustles and freelance work are increasingly common responses to economic pressure.

Youth respondents call for quality jobs, better education access and affordable housing. Climate change also ranks among the most serious long-term global risks.

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China pushes frontier tech from research to real-world applications

Innovations across China are moving rapidly from laboratories into everyday use, spanning robotics, autonomous vehicles and quantum computing. Airports, hotels and city streets are increasingly becoming testing grounds for advanced technologies.

In Hefei, humanoid cleaning robots developed by local start-up Zerith are already operating in public venues across major cities. The company scaled from prototype to mass production within a year, securing significant commercial orders.

Beyond robotics, frontier research is finding industrial applications in energy, healthcare and manufacturing. Advances from fusion research and quantum mechanics are being adapted for cancer screening, battery safety and precision measurement.

Policy support and investment are accelerating this transition from research to market. National planning and local funding initiatives aim to turn scientific breakthroughs into scalable technologies with global reach.

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Concerns grow over planned EU-US biometrics deal

The EU has agreed to open talks with the US on sharing sensitive traveller data. The discussions aim to preserve visa-free travel for European citizens.

The proposal is called ‘Enhanced Border Security Partnership‘, and it could allow transfers of biometric data and other sensitive personal information. Legal experts warn that unclear limits may widen access beyond travellers alone.

EU governments have authorised the European Commission to negotiate a shared framework. Member states would later settle details through bilateral agreements with Washington.

Academics and privacy advocates are calling for stronger safeguards and transparency. EU officials insist data protection limits will form part of any final agreement.

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Teen victim turns deepfake experience into education

A US teenager targeted by explicit deepfake images has helped create a new training course. The programme aims to support students, parents and school staff facing online abuse.

The course explains how AI tools are used to create sexualised fake images. It also outlines legal rights, reporting steps and available victim support resources.

Research shows deepfake abuse is spreading among teenagers, despite stronger laws. One in eight US teens know someone targeted by non-consensual fake images.

Developers say education remains critical as AI tools become easier to access. Schools are encouraged to adopt training to protect students and prevent harm.

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Google expands AI shopping through Gemini

Google is expanding shopping features inside its Gemini chatbot through partnerships with Walmart and other retailers. Users will be able to browse and buy products without leaving the chat interface.

An instant checkout function allows purchases through linked accounts and selected payment providers. Walmart customers can receive personalised recommendations based on previous shopping activity.

The move was announced at the latest National Retail Federation convention in New York. Tech groups are racing to turn AI assistants into end-to-end retail tools.

Google said the service will launch first in the US before international expansion. Payments initially rely on Google-linked cards, with PayPal support planned.

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Taiwan aims to train 500,000 AI professionals

Taiwan aims to train 500,000 AI professionals by 2040, backed by a NT$100 billion (US$31.6 billion) government venture fund. President Lai Ching-te announced the 2026 AI talent forum in Taipei.

The government’s 10-year AI plan includes a national computing centre and the development of technologies such as silicon photonics, quantum computing, and robotics. President Lai said that national competitiveness depends on both chipmaking and citizens’ ability to utilise AI across various disciplines.

To achieve these goals, AI training courses are being introduced for public sector employees, and students are being encouraged to acquire AI skills. The initiative aims to foster cooperation between government, industry, and academia to drive economic transformation.

With a larger pool of AI professionals, Taiwan hopes to help small and medium-sized enterprises accelerate digital upgrades, enhance innovation, and strengthen the nation’s global competitiveness in emerging technologies.

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