Future of work

Tether and UN join to boost digital security in Africa

Tether has joined the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to enhance cybersecurity and digital asset education across Africa. The collaboration aims to reduce vulnerabilities to cybercrime and safeguard communities against online scams and fraud.

Africa, emerging as the third-fastest-growing crypto region, faces increasing threats from digital asset fraud. A recent Interpol operation uncovered $260 million in illicit crypto and fiat across Africa, highlighting the urgent need for stronger digital security.

The partnership includes several key initiatives. In Senegal, youth will participate in a multi-phase cybersecurity education programme featuring boot camps, mentorship, and micro-grants to support innovative projects.

Civil society organisations across Africa will receive funding to support human trafficking victims in Nigeria, DRC, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Uganda. In Papua New Guinea, universities will host competitions to promote financial inclusion and prevent digital asset fraud using blockchain solutions.

Tether and UNODC aim to create secure digital ecosystems, boost economic opportunities, and equip communities to prevent organised crime. Coordinated action across sectors is considered vital to creating safer and more inclusive environments for vulnerable populations.

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xAI plans $20 billion data centre investment in Mississippi

The US AI company, xAI, plans to establish a large-scale data centre in Southaven, Mississippi, representing an investment of more than $20 billion. The project is expected to create several hundred permanent jobs across DeSoto County.

xAI has acquired an existing facility that will be refurbished to support data centre operations, located near additional energy and computing infrastructure already linked to xAI.

Once operational, the Southaven site in the US is expected to expand the company’s overall computing capacity significantly.

State and local authorities approved incentive measures for the project, including tax exemptions available to certified data centres.

Officials indicated that the investment is expected to contribute to local tax revenues supporting public services and infrastructure, while operations are scheduled to begin in February 2026.

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UK outlines approval process for crypto firms

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed that all regulated crypto firms must obtain authorisation under the Financial Services and Markets Act. Both new market entrants and existing operators will be required to comply.

No automatic transition will be available for firms currently registered under anti-money laundering rules. Companies already authorised for other financial services must apply to extend permissions to cover crypto activities and ensure compliance with upcoming regulations.

Pre-application meetings and information sessions will be offered to help firms understand regulatory expectations and enhance the quality of their applications.

An official application window is expected to open in September 2026 and remain active for at least 28 days. Applications submitted during that period are intended to be assessed before the regime formally begins, with further procedural details to be confirmed by the FCA.

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BBC launches media literacy series for teenagers

BBC Children’s and Education has launched Solve The Story, a new series tackling online misinformation among teenagers. The six-part programme is designed for classroom use across UK schools.

The British series follows research showing teachers lack resources to teach critical thinking effectively. Surveys found teenagers struggle with online content volume, while one in three teachers find media literacy difficult to deliver.

Solve The Story uses mystery-style storytelling to help pupils question sources, spot deepfakes and challenge viral claims. Each episode includes practical classroom guides supporting teachers and lesson planning.

BBC figures say two thirds of teenagers worry about fake news causing confusion and stress. Educators argue AI-driven misinformation makes structured media literacy support increasingly urgent.

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Smartphone reliance grows amid uneven broadband access

Most Americans now use the internet daily and own smartphones, according to new Pew Research Center data. Around four in ten adults describe their internet use as almost constant.

Broadband access remains widespread, yet sharp income gaps persist across the US. Just over half of households earning under $30,000 subscribe, compared with almost all higher earners.

Smartphone ownership is nearly universal, even among older age groups. Many lower-income and younger adults increasingly rely on phones as their primary internet connection.

Researchers say digital inequality remains a defining challenge despite technological progress. Policymakers face pressure to address affordability, access, and long-term digital inclusion nationwide.

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Robotics industry sets out key trends for 2026

The global market for industrial robot installations has reached a record value of $16.7bn in 2025. The International Federation of Robotics expects further growth through technological change and labour pressures.

AI-driven autonomy is becoming central to robotics development, enabling machines to learn tasks and operate independently. Agentic AI combines analytical and generative models to improve decision-making in complex environments.

Robots are also becoming more versatile as IT and operational systems converge across factories and logistics. Humanoid robots are moving beyond prototypes, with reliability and efficiency now critical for industrial adoption.

Safety, cybersecurity and workforce acceptance remain key challenges for the sector. Industry leaders see robots as allies addressing labour shortages while governments expand skills and retraining programmes.

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UMMC conducts one of first multi-country live surgeries using 5G and AI

Universiti Malaya Medical Centre has carried out what it described as one of the world’s first real-time, multi-country live surgeries using a 5G-enabled AI and extended reality platform.

The ear, nose, and throat procedure took place in Petaling Jaya using apoQlar’s HoloMedicine Robotics extended reality system. Surgeons were connected with international students and specialists through CelcomDigi’s 5G network.

Participants joined from the United States, South Korea, Bhutan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and several states in Malaysia. Institutions included Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, and Vanderbilt University Medical Centre.

The platform delivered three-dimensional views, live annotations, and two-way communication between the surgical team and international experts. CelcomDigi said its ultra-low-latency 5G connectivity enabled high-definition video and synchronised audio throughout the procedure.

UMMC said the live surgeries initiative demonstrated how extended reality and AI tools can support remote training and specialist collaboration without disrupting clinical workflows. The hospital plans to conduct further live urology, colorectal, and ENT sessions using the same system.

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Global AI adoption reaches record levels in 2025

Global adoption of generative AI continued to rise in the second half of 2025, reaching 16.3 percent of the world’s population. Around one in six people now use AI tools for work, learning, and problem-solving, marking rapid progress for a technology still in its early years.

Adoption remains uneven, with the Global North growing nearly twice as fast as the Global South. Countries with early investments in digital infrastructure and AI policies, including the UAE, Singapore, and South Korea, lead the way.

South Korea saw the most significant gain, rising seven spots globally due to government initiatives, improved Korean-language models, and viral consumer trends.

The UAE maintains its lead, benefiting from years of foresight, including early AI strategy, dedicated ministries, and regulatory frameworks that foster trust and widespread usage.

Meanwhile, open-source platforms such as DeepSeek are expanding access in underserved markets, including Africa, China, and Iran, lowering financial and technical barriers for millions of new users.

While AI adoption grows globally, disparities persist. Policymakers and developers face the challenge of ensuring that the next wave of AI users benefits broader communities, narrowing divides rather than deepening them.

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EU faces pressure to strengthen Digital Markets Act oversight

Rivals of major technology firms have criticised the European Commission for weak enforcement of the Digital Markets Act, arguing that slow procedures and limited transparency undermine the regulation’s effectiveness.

Feedback gathered during a Commission consultation highlights concerns about delaying tactics, interface designs that restrict user choice, and circumvention strategies used by designated gatekeepers.

The Digital Markets Act entered into force in March 2024, prompting several non-compliance investigations against Apple, Meta and Google. Although Apple and Meta have already faced fines, follow-up proceedings remain ongoing, while Google has yet to receive sanctions.

Smaller technology firms argue that enforcement lacks urgency, particularly in areas such as self-preferencing, data sharing, interoperability and digital advertising markets.

Concerns also extend to AI and cloud services, where respondents say the current framework fails to reflect market realities.

Generative AI tools, such as large language models, raise questions about whether existing platform categories remain adequate or whether new classifications are necessary. Cloud services face similar scrutiny, as major providers often fall below formal thresholds despite acting as critical gateways.

The Commission plans to submit a review report to the European Parliament and the Council by early May, drawing on findings from the consultation.

Proposed changes include binding timelines and interim measures aimed at strengthening enforcement and restoring confidence in the bloc’s flagship competition rules.

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AI could optimise power grids and reduce energy waste

AI could help make power grids cleaner and more efficient while reducing energy waste, even as data centres powering generative models consume increasing amounts of electricity. Researchers are exploring ways to balance these demands with optimisation techniques.

Accurate predictions of renewable energy availability using AI can help grid operators integrate solar and wind power more effectively. AI can solve complex optimisation problems, quickly and accurately managing power generation, battery use, and flexible loads.

Beyond real-time operations, AI can enhance grid planning and predictive maintenance, identifying potential faults before they lead to outages.

Application-specific AI models can support decarbonisation strategies and enable the integration of more renewable energy while keeping energy costs and environmental impacts in check.

Experts caution that not all AI development in the energy sector is equally beneficial. Large, general-purpose models are highly resource-intensive, whereas smaller, targeted models offer measurable advantages in terms of grid efficiency and sustainability.

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