Future of work Archives | Page 3 of 221 | Digital Watch Observatory

Writers publish protest book to challenge AI use of copyrighted works

Thousands of writers have joined a symbolic protest against AI companies by publishing a book that contains no traditional content.

The work, titled “Don’t Steal This Book,” lists only the names of roughly 10,000 contributors who oppose the use of their writing to train AI systems without their permission.

An initiative that was organised by composer and campaigner Ed Newton-Rex and distributed during the London Book Fair. Contributors include prominent authors such as Kazuo Ishiguro, Philippa Gregory and Richard Osman, along with thousands of other writers and creative professionals.

Campaigners argue that generative AI systems are trained on vast collections of copyrighted material gathered from the internet without authorisation or compensation.

According to organisers, such practices allow AI tools to compete with the creators whose works were used to develop them.

The protest arrives as the UK Government prepares an economic assessment of potential copyright reforms related to AI. Proposals under discussion include allowing AI developers to use copyrighted material unless rights holders explicitly opt out.

Many writers and artists oppose that approach and demand stronger copyright protections. In parallel, the publishing sector is preparing a licensing initiative through Publishers’ Licensing Services to provide AI developers with legal access to books while ensuring authors receive compensation.

The dispute reflects a growing global debate over how copyright law should apply to generative AI systems that rely on massive datasets to develop chatbots and other digital tools.

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

AI agents platform NemoClaw targets enterprise tools in Nvidia strategy

Nvidia is reportedly preparing to launch an open-source platform for AI agents, according to sources familiar with the company’s plans.

The platform, internally known as NemoClaw, is being pitched to enterprise software companies and would enable businesses to deploy AI agents to perform tasks for employees. Companies will be able to access the platform regardless of whether their products run on Nvidia hardware.

The initiative comes ahead of Nvidia’s annual developer conference in San Jose next week. The company has reportedly approached firms including Salesforce, Cisco, Google, Adobe, and CrowdStrike to explore potential partnerships for the platform. However, it remains unclear whether any formal agreements have been reached.

Sources say the open-source platform could offer early access to partners in exchange for contributions to the project, while also including built-in security and privacy tools designed for enterprise environments. Interest in the project reflects enthusiasm around open-source AI ‘claws,’ agents that run locally and autonomously handle multi-step tasks with less human oversight.

However, the use of autonomous agents in corporate environments remains controversial. Some technology companies have reportedly restricted their use on work devices due to concerns about unpredictability and security risks.

For Nvidia, NemoClaw may also represent a broader effort to expand its influence beyond hardware. By supporting open-source AI agents, the company could strengthen its position in enterprise AI infrastructure, even as several major AI developers are building their own chips.

NVIDIA has not publicly commented on the reported plans. Representatives from several companies linked to the project also declined to comment.

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

AI-driven education push reshapes Chungnam National University strategy

Chungnam National University aims to become a leading centre for AI-driven education in Korea as AI reshapes how universities teach, learn, and manage operations. University President Kim Jeong-kyoum said higher education institutions must rethink how they approach AI and prepare for the profound changes AI-driven education is expected to bring across society.

‘AI will undoubtedly bring significant changes across industries and in our daily lives,’ Kim told The Korea Times in a recent interview. ‘Universities need to approach this shift with an open mindset and be ready to accept it. I want Chungnam National University to become a university that uses AI better than anyone else.’

While acknowledging that the phrase ‘AI-leading university’ is increasingly common, Kim said the university’s real priority is integrating AI into teaching practically. The institution is considering incorporating AI-related elements into more than 30 percent of its curriculum to ensure students gain hands-on experience with the technology and support the expansion of AI-driven education across disciplines.

‘We want to teach students how to use AI effectively in practice,’ he said. ‘Professors need to use and understand AI themselves to teach it properly, and students also need systematic training on how to use these tools well.’

Beyond the classroom, the university also plans to introduce AI into administrative systems to improve campus operations. ‘Administration is often the hardest part of a university to change,’ Kim said. ‘That’s why we believe introducing AI into administrative systems first could be particularly meaningful.’

The university is also expanding research through its Glocal Lab project, which aims to strengthen Chungnam National University’s role in AI-driven pharmaceutical and biotechnology research. The initiative is expected to more directly connect academic research with industry and support the development of specialised talent, strengthening the university’s broader ambitions in AI-driven education and innovation.

Kim said, ‘Until now, there have been clear limits to translating the university’s strong basic research into applications in local industries. We expect the Glocal Lab project to help bridge that gap by connecting academic research more directly with the industrial field.’

The project will integrate AI, mathematical sciences, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology research into a unified R&D platform. ‘Ultimately, the Glocal Lab project will help the university grow into a global R&D hub,’ Kim said. ‘By creating high-quality jobs locally, it can also help curb the outflow of talented young people to the Seoul metropolitan area and foster a virtuous cycle of regional settlement and innovation.’

The university is also enhancing internationalisation efforts, aiming to increase the share of international students to 10 percent while expanding global partnerships and strengthening its global profile in AI-driven education. ‘Universities should take the lead in presenting new models in a global society,’ Kim said. ‘By doing so, these ideas can spread beyond campus and ultimately influence local industries and businesses.’

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

Japan expands strategic investment in AI, quantum computing, and drones

Japan has identified dozens of advanced technologies as priority investment targets as part of an economic strategy led by Sanae Takaichi.

The plan aims to channel public and private capital into industries expected to drive long-term economic growth.

Government officials selected 61 technologies and products for support across 17 strategic sectors. The list includes emerging fields such as AI, quantum computing, regenerative medicine and marine drones.

Many of these technologies are still in early development, but are considered important for economic security and global competitiveness.

The strategy forms a central pillar of Takaichi’s broader economic agenda to strengthen Japan’s industrial base and encourage investment in high-growth sectors. Authorities plan to release spending estimates and implementation timelines by summer as part of a detailed investment roadmap.

Japan has also set ambitious market goals in several sectors. Officials aim to secure more than 30% of the global AI robotics market by 2040 while increasing annual sales of domestically produced semiconductors to ¥40 trillion.

Several Japanese technology companies could benefit from the policy direction. Firms such as Fanuc, Yaskawa Electric and Mitsubishi Electric are integrating AI into industrial robots, while Sony Group produces sensors used in robotic systems.

Chipmakers, including Rohm, Kioxia and Renesas Electronics, may also benefit from increased investment in semiconductor manufacturing and related supply chains.

Despite strong investor interest, analysts note uncertainty about how the programme will be financed, particularly as Japan faces rising spending pressures from social security, defence and public debt.

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

Malicious npm package targets developers with Openclaw impersonation

Security researchers uncovered a malicious npm package impersonating an Openclaw AI installer, designed to infect developer machines with credential-stealing malware.

JFrog Security Research identified the attack in early March 2026 after the package appeared on the npm registry and was downloaded roughly 178 times.

The deceptive package mimics legitimate Openclaw tools and contains ordinary-looking JavaScript files and documentation. Hidden scripts run during installation, displaying a fake command-line interface and a fabricated system prompt that requests the user’s password.

Entering the password grants the malware elevated access and allows it to download an encrypted payload from a remote command server. Once installed, the payload deploys Ghostloader, a remote access trojan that persists on the system and communicates with attacker servers.

Researchers say the malware targets sensitive information, including saved passwords, browser cookies, SSH keys, and cryptocurrency wallet files. Developers are advised to remove the package immediately, rotate credentials, and install software only from verified sources.

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

ChatGPT Edu launches at Clemson University for students and faculty

Clemson University has introduced ChatGPT Edu to its students, faculty, and staff, providing them free access to the secure, institutionally managed version of the AI platform.

The rollout is part of Clemson’s partnership with OpenAI. It forms part of the university’s broader AI Initiative, which aims to develop a human-centred approach to AI across education, research, and operations.

University officials said the ChatGPT Edu environment will expand access to generative AI tools while ensuring institutional data remains protected and is not used to train external AI systems.

Members of the Clemson community who want to use the platform must request access through a ChatGPT Edu account request form. Once approved, accounts are automatically created, and users can sign in through Clemson’s single sign-on system.

Even if students or staff members already have a ChatGPT account linked to their Clemson email, they will still need to request access to ChatGPT Edu. After approval, they can merge your current account or download your chat history before creating a new one.

The university said the launch reflects its view that access to emerging technologies should be paired with clear guidance and responsible use. Users are advised to review Clemson’s updated AI guidelines before using the system.

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

CEOs track new metric in AI workforce shift

Executives across the US are increasingly using a metric known as labour cost margin to evaluate workforce needs in the AI era. Business leaders in the US say the measure reflects how companies balance human labour with expanding technology investments.

A KPMG survey of 100 US CEOs shows strong corporate commitment to AI spending. Nearly 80 percent of executives allocate at least five percent of capital budgets to AI projects.

The workforce impact remains uncertain despite growing investment. Many executives expect AI to change job composition rather than eliminate roles.

Companies are hiring new technology-focused roles, including AI strategists and workflow coordinators. Analysts say repetitive office tasks in the US may face the greatest risk from automation.

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

EU draft regulation aims to create new legal framework for startups

A draft initiative from the European Commission seeks to introduce a new legal structure designed to simplify how companies operate across the EU.

The proposal, often referred to as the ‘EU Inc’ initiative, explores the creation of a so-called ’28th regime’ that would exist alongside national corporate frameworks used by member states.

A concept that aims to provide startups and technology firms with a single legal structure that applies across the EU.

Instead of navigating different national rules in each country, companies could operate under a unified regulatory model intended to reduce administrative barriers and encourage cross-border innovation.

According to the draft, the initiative may rely on an EU regulation rather than separate national legislation. Such an approach could enable faster implementation, as the EU regulations apply directly across all member states without requiring domestic transposition.

However, the legal basis of the proposal could raise institutional concerns. Using a regulation as the primary mechanism may constitute an unconventional shortcut in the EU lawmaking, potentially sparking debate among policymakers over the approach’s scope and legitimacy.

The initiative reflects broader efforts within the Union to simplify regulatory frameworks and strengthen the competitiveness of European startups. If adopted, the ‘EU Inc’ model could reshape how young companies expand across the single market.

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

AI study links mammograms to heart disease risk

Researchers in the US have found that AI analysis of mammograms may help identify women at risk of heart disease. The study examined breast scans to measure calcium deposits in arteries, a sign linked to cardiovascular problems.

Scientists from Emory University in Atlanta analysed screening data from more than 120,000 women. Results showed women with higher levels of arterial calcium detected in mammograms faced significantly greater risk of heart attacks or strokes.

Researchers reported that even women under 50 years old showed increased cardiovascular risk when calcium deposits appeared on scans. Experts say the findings suggest routine breast screening could reveal hidden heart health risks.

Doctors in Atlanta say AI could allow mammograms to act as a dual screening tool for breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. Further research is planned before hospitals in the US widely adopt the method.

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

Chinese tech hubs promote OpenClaw AI agent

Technology hubs in China are promoting the OpenClaw AI agent as part of new local industry initiatives. Officials in China say the open source tool can automate tasks such as email management and travel booking.

Cities including Shenzhen, Wuxi and Hefei are drafting policies to build an ecosystem around OpenClaw. Authorities in China are offering subsidies, computing resources and office support to encourage AI-driven one-person companies.

OpenClaw has grown rapidly since its release and has become one of the fastest-expanding projects on GitHub. Technology groups say the tool could allow individuals to operate businesses with far fewer employees.

Regulators have also warned about security and data protection risks linked to AI agents. Draft rules in China propose limits on access to sensitive data and stronger oversight of cross-border information flows.

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