Future of work

Anthropic opens Milan office, highlights responsible AI development

The US AI company, Anthropic, has announced the opening of a new office in Milan, expanding its European presence alongside existing locations in London, Dublin, Paris, Zurich and Munich. The company says the Italian office will support enterprises, developers and researchers adopting Claude AI while contributing to broader discussions about the societal impact of AI.

The announcement comes shortly after the publication of Pope Leo XIV’s AI-focused encyclical ‘Magnifica Humanitas’. Anthropic highlighted the participation of co-founder Chris Olah in the Vatican presentation, where he discussed the ethical challenges associated with advanced AI and called for wider involvement from governments, academia, civil society and religious institutions in shaping AI’s future.

Anthropic says its technology has already been adopted by several major Italian organisations, including Generali Group, Unipol Group, Angelini Pharma, Bracco Group, Enel Group and Pirelli.

The company also highlighted partnerships with Italian technology firms. According to Anthropic, JAKALA deployed Claude across more than 3,000 users, while Satispay and Bending Spoons have integrated Claude into software development workflows to accelerate engineering and product development.

Anthropic says the Milan office will help support the AI ecosystem of Italy while encouraging broader debate about how advanced AI technologies should be developed and deployed responsibly.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

ITU puts AI and creativity in focus at Geneva summit

The International Telecommunication Union will place AI and digital creativity in the spotlight during the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, where artists, musicians, filmmakers, and technologists will discuss how AI is reshaping creative industries.

The summit’s AI Creativity and Culture track will explore questions around ownership, authenticity, copyright, and the growing role of generative AI in artistic production. Sessions will examine how AI tools are affecting media, music, publishing, design, fashion, entertainment, journalism, and creative labour.

High-profile participants include John Legend, who will discuss AI and music with Universal Music Group’s Michael Nash, and will.i.am, who will focus on skills, education, and AI. The programme will also feature AI-driven art installations, robotic musical performances, and screenings during the AI for Good Film Festival.

The festival, now in its second year, has received more than 1,200 contest submissions, with selected films to be shown during the summit. The programme will also include the third edition of Canvas of the Future, ITU’s AI-powered art contest, focused on how AI is shaping the future of education and work.

Organised by ITU with partners across the UN system and co-convened with Switzerland, AI for Good is intended to demonstrate AI solutions for people, planet, and prosperity. The 2026 creative programme reflects growing international attention to how AI is changing cultural production, intellectual property, and the economics of creative work.

Why does it matter?

The programme shows how AI governance debates are expanding beyond safety, productivity, and infrastructure into culture, copyright, ownership, and creative labour. By bringing together artists, entertainment companies, technologists, and UN actors in a single forum, AI for Good is treating AI creativity as both an economic opportunity and a policy challenge.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!  

US Census Bureau reports higher AI adoption among larger firms

The US Census Bureau has published new findings from its Business Trends and Outlook Survey, showing that AI use among US businesses remained between 17% and 20% from December 2025 to May 2026.

The survey also found that between 20% and 23% of businesses expected to use AI within the next six months. The data were collected between 14 December 2025 and 3 May 2026 and provide a biweekly, nationally representative view of AI implementation across US businesses.

AI adoption was higher among larger firms. Around 37% of businesses with at least 250 employees reported using AI in their operations, while 32% of firms with 100 to 249 employees reported AI use during the data collection period ending 3 May 2026.

The Census Bureau said AI use increased among firms with at least 20 employees between December 2025 and May 2026, but did not change significantly among firms with fewer than 20 employees. Less than 20% of firms with four or fewer employees reported using AI.

Sector-level findings showed that AI use remained above the national average in the Information and Finance and Insurance sectors. As of 3 May 2026, AI use reached 39.7% in Information and 33.9% in Finance and Insurance, compared with a national rate of 19.8%.

Retail Trade businesses reported lower adoption rates, with around 14% currently using AI and about 17% expecting to use it within six months.

The Census Bureau also noted that its updated AI supplement now measures AI use across 15 business functions, including finance, human resources, customer service, marketing, information technology, and research and development. The supplement also examines AI-related operational changes, including training, workflow adjustments, and technology investments.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

New Zealand issues AI guidance to speed up regulatory work

New Zealand’s Ministry for Regulation in New Zealand has issued guidance encouraging public regulators to adopt AI for low-risk administrative tasks while maintaining human oversight and accountability. The guidance highlights low-risk uses, including case triage, prioritisation, and structured data validation. The framework is designed to help public agencies work faster while maintaining accountability and human oversight.

Officials stressed that AI should support rather than replace human judgement in regulatory decision-making. The document states that legal interpretation and final accountability must remain with human decision-makers, particularly in high-risk or complex cases.

The guidance also warns that introducing AI into poorly designed regulatory systems could amplify existing inefficiencies rather than resolve them.

The framework presents AI adoption as a strategic governance issue rather than solely a technical upgrade. Regulators are encouraged to establish clear objectives, safeguards, and accountability mechanisms, including transparency, fairness, privacy protections, and alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

Why does it matter? 

New Zealand’s approach highlights a wider global shift where governments are using AI to improve public sector efficiency, but only within tightly defined boundaries. The focus on low-risk uses and human oversight reflects a growing view that automation can improve efficiency without replacing legal accountability.

The guidance also underscores a structural reality: AI can amplify existing strengths or weaknesses in regulatory systems. Countries that fail to modernise risk scaling inefficiencies, while strong oversight can help AI improve consistency, transparency and service delivery.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our chatbot!  

New OECD measure compares AI and job capabilities

The OECD has published a new framework designed to assess how closely current AI capabilities align with the requirements of different occupations.

The paper, ‘The OECD AI Exposure Measure‘, maps OECD AI Capability Indicators to occupations and introduces an AI Capability Gap Index. According to the OECD, the framework is intended to support analysis of potential AI impacts on work, skills, education, and labour-market policy.

The framework compares AI capabilities with occupational requirements across nine domains: language, social interaction, problem-solving, creativity, metacognition and critical thinking, knowledge, learning and memory, vision, manipulation, and robotic intelligence. Occupations with smaller capability gaps are considered more exposed to current AI capabilities, while larger gaps indicate a greater distance between AI systems and occupational requirements.

The OECD emphasised that the measure is not intended as a prediction of automation or job loss. It measures potential exposure to current AI capabilities, while actual labour-market effects will also depend on adoption, costs, task structure, regulation, organisational uptake, and social choices.

The report found that occupations involving routine information processing and administrative tasks currently show the highest levels of AI exposure. Office and administrative support occupations record the lowest total gap index, followed by production, food preparation and serving, and sales-related occupations.

Occupations relying more heavily on judgement, social interaction, interpretation, and non-standardised physical activity showed larger capability gaps.

The paper also noted that different forms of AI may affect occupations differently depending on whether work relies more on reasoning, communication, robotics, or physical interaction.

The OECD said the framework could support future task-level analysis, scenario modelling, and country-specific assessments of AI-related labour-market change. Future work may extend the approach to task-level analysis, scenario applications, macroeconomic modelling, and country-level assessments.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Singapore pushes trusted AI governance with KPMG AI centre

Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information has highlighted trust and accountability as key factors in AI adoption during the launch of KPMG’s new Trusted AI Centre of Excellence. Minister of State Jasmin Lau said governments and businesses should ensure AI adoption benefits workers, citizens, and smaller enterprises alongside larger organisations.

The new centre will focus on AI governance, monitoring systems, and AI-related assurance processes as organisations deploy increasingly advanced AI models. KPMG said it is using AI tools internally across audit, tax, and advisory services before broader deployment to clients.

Singapore also reiterated its goal of strengthening its role in regional AI governance and standards development. Officials highlighted efforts involving ASEAN cooperation, AI testing capabilities, and governance initiatives such as AI Verify. According to officials, transparency, explainability, and accountability will remain important factors influencing public confidence in AI systems.

The discussions also reflected broader concerns about AI-related economic disruption, governance challenges, and public trust. Officials noted that businesses and workers continue to face uncertainty regarding AI governance, compliance, and the economic effects of AI adoption.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Canada launches AI learning initiative for federal public servants

Canada’s School of Public Service is organising the Learning Week on Artificial Intelligence, an initiative aimed at strengthening AI understanding across the federal public service.

The programme is linked to the Government of Canada’s AI Strategy for the Federal Public Service 2025–2027.

The AI learning programme is open to public servants at all levels and across the country. The initiative includes live events, virtual sessions, self-paced learning tools, and practical demonstrations related to AI technologies.

According to organisers, the programme aims to improve awareness of AI-related opportunities, challenges, and skills within the public service.

The initiative also aligns with broader public service priorities involving digital transformation, productivity, and process modernisation.

Sessions will examine potential applications of AI in areas including policy development, service delivery, and internal administrative functions.

The programme is intended to support responsible AI adoption and prepare public servants in Canada for organisational and operational changes linked to AI technologies.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech, and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

South Korea launches tripartite committee on AI and labour

South Korea’s Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), a presidential advisory body, has launched a tripartite committee to examine the impact of AI on labour and workplaces. The committee brings together labour, business, government, and public interest representatives for a year-long dialogue on AI-related workplace changes.

The committee held its first meeting in Seoul and will examine how AI adoption may affect employment patterns and industrial workplaces. The 17-member body is chaired by former presidential jobs secretary Hwang Deok-soon and includes labour, business, government and public interest representatives.

According to the ESLC, discussions will focus on AI adoption, changes to jobs and work tasks, worker data collection, and support measures linked to workforce transitions. The initiative is expected to include expert consultations and workplace assessments examining practical uses of AI technologies.

The launch comes amid broader public debate about automation, humanoid robotics, and potential labour-market disruption linked to AI technologies. ESLC Chair Kim Ji-hyung said the discussions aim to balance technological development, industrial competitiveness, and labour market stability in South Korea.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot! 

International Labour Organization warns AI could reshape labour markets across the Arab region

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) have examined how AI may reshape labour markets and employment patterns across the Arab region.

The organisations released a report exploring how AI adoption may transform jobs, productivity, and workforce dynamics by 2035. According to the report, outcomes will depend on policy choices related to skills development, labour protections, and social support systems.

The report outlines three possible scenarios ranging from inclusive AI-driven growth to increased inequality linked to insufficient labour protections and workforce adaptation measures.

One projected strong AI-driven economic growth, combined with large-scale investment in workforce transition and retraining programmes.

Another warned that rapid technological adoption without sufficient social safeguards could deepen inequality and displace large numbers of lower- and middle-skilled workers.

A third scenario envisaged a more gradual AI integration, supported by coordinated policy reforms and inclusive labour-market strategies.

The report identifies sectors such as healthcare, education, logistics, tourism, and digital services as areas where AI-related employment opportunities may emerge. At the same time, the organisations noted that automation could reduce demand for some routine and clerical occupations.

ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat said AI technologies are already affecting workplaces across public administration and service sectors in the region. She added that nearly one-quarter of occupations may experience either displacement or technological augmentation linked to generative AI systems.

The analysis also highlighted widening skills mismatches between education systems and labour market demands, with some countries facing gaps ranging from 40% to 70%. The report also highlights the importance of investment in lifelong learning, labour market institutions, social protection, and AI governance frameworks.

The discussions took place during a preparatory session linked to the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development, where policymakers, labour organisations, and international experts examined how AI may affect youth employment, women workers, and lower-skilled populations across the region.

Why does it matter?

ILO highlights how developing and emerging economies may experience AI transitions differently depending on infrastructure, education systems, governance capacity, and investment levels. Policymakers across the Arab region are now under increasing pressure to modernise labour systems while ensuring that AI adoption supports inclusive growth instead of deepening social inequality.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!  

Meta reportedly cuts 8,000 jobs as AI investment and restructuring accelerate globally

Meta is reportedly cutting about 8,000 jobs globally as part of a restructuring aimed at reducing costs while increasing spending on AI infrastructure and products.

According to media reports, the cuts represent about 10% of Meta’s workforce and are intended, in part, to offset the cost of the company’s expanding AI investments. The reductions are expected to affect engineering and product teams in particular, with employees in several regions notified as the restructuring begins.

Reports also indicate that around 7,000 employees are being reassigned to new AI-focused teams, while thousands of open roles have been closed. The restructuring reflects Meta’s effort to redirect resources towards AI products, infrastructure and agent-based tools across its platforms.

In Ireland, reports said around 350 jobs were affected, representing a significant share of Meta’s local workforce. The company has not publicly confirmed all regional figures, but said affected employees and authorities had been notified.

The cuts come as Meta prepares for a major increase in AI-related capital expenditure. Reports say the company expects spending to rise sharply in 2026 as it builds infrastructure for AI models, personalised assistants and other AI-powered features across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and its wider product ecosystem.

Staff concerns have also emerged around the pace of restructuring, internal communication and workplace monitoring linked to AI development. Reports cited employee unease over plans to monitor computer activity as part of AI training practices.

Why does it matter?

Meta’s restructuring shows how major technology companies are reallocating labour and capital around AI. The reported job cuts are not only a cost-saving exercise, but part of a wider shift in which companies are redirecting resources towards AI infrastructure, automation and agentic systems. The development also highlights a growing tension in the tech sector: AI is being presented as a long-term growth engine, while workers face uncertainty over how that transition will reshape roles, teams and investment priorities.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!

Diplo chatbot can make mistakes. Consider checking important information.