The European Commission is set to unveil the Digital Networks Act (DNA), a major revamp of EU telecom regulations aimed at boosting investment in digital infrastructure.
A draft document indicates the Commission plans to grant indefinite-duration radio spectrum licences, introducing ‘use-it-or-share-it’ conditions to prevent hoarding and encourage active deployment.
The DNA also calls for tighter oversight of dominant firms, including transparency, non-discrimination, and pricing rules in related markets.
Fibre rollout guidance and flexible copper replacement deadlines aim to harmonise investment and support 2030 connectivity goals across member states.
Large online platforms are expected to engage in a voluntary cooperative framework moderated by the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC).
The approach avoids mandatory levies or binding duties, focusing instead on technical dialogue and ‘best practice’ codes while leaving enforcement largely to national regulators.
The draft shifts focus from forcing Big Tech to fund networks to reforming spectrum and telecom rules to boost investment. Member states and the European Parliament will negotiate EU coordination, national discretion, and net neutrality protections.
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A new suite of open translation models, TranslateGemma, has been launched, bringing advanced multilingual capabilities to users worldwide. Built on the Gemma 3 architecture, the models support 55 languages and come in 4B, 12B, and 27B parameter sizes.
The release aims to make high-quality translation accessible across devices without compromising efficiency.
TranslateGemma delivers impressive performance gains, with the 12B model surpassing the 27B Gemma 3 baseline on WMT24++ benchmarks. The models achieve higher accuracy while requiring fewer parameters, enabling faster translations with lower latency.
The 4B model also performs on par with larger models, making it ideal for mobile deployment.
The development combines supervised fine-tuning on diverse parallel datasets with reinforcement learning guided by advanced metrics. TranslateGemma performs well in high- and low-resource languages and supports accurate text translation within images.
Designed for flexible deployment, the models cater to mobile devices, consumer laptops, and cloud environments. Researchers and developers can use TranslateGemma to build customised translation solutions and improve coverage for low-resource languages.
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The US AI company, OpenAI, has invested in Merge Labs as part of a seed funding round, signalling a growing interest in brain-computer interfaces as a future layer of human–technology interaction.
Merge Labs describes its mission as bridging the gap between biology and AI to expand human capability and agency. The research lab is developing new BCI approaches designed to operate safely while enabling much higher communication bandwidth between the brain and digital systems.
AI is expected to play a central role in Merge Labs’ work, supporting advances in neuroscience, bioengineering and device development instead of relying on traditional interface models.
High-bandwidth brain interfaces are also expected to benefit from AI systems capable of interpreting intent under conditions of limited and noisy signals.
OpenAI plans to collaborate with Merge Labs on scientific foundation models and advanced tools, aiming to accelerate research progress and translate experimental concepts into practical applications over time.
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AI is expected to play an increasingly important role in improving Britain’s road and rail networks. MPs highlighted its potential during a transport-focused industry summit in Parliament.
The Transport Select Committee chair welcomed government investment in AI and infrastructure. Road maintenance, connectivity and reduced delays were cited as priorities for economic growth.
UK industry leaders showcased AI tools that autonomously detect and repair potholes. Businesses said more intelligent systems could improve reliability while cutting costs and disruption.
Experts warned that stronger cybersecurity must accompany AI deployment. Safeguards are needed to protect critical transport infrastructure from external threats and misuse.
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The United Arab Emirates has joined Pax Silica, a US-led alliance focused on AI and semiconductor supply chains. The move places Abu Dhabi among Washington’s trusted technology partners.
The pact aims to secure access to chips, computing power, energy and critical minerals. The US Department of State says technology supply chains are now treated as strategic assets.
UAE officials view the alliance as supporting economic diversification and AI leadership ambitions. Membership strengthens access to advanced semiconductors and large-scale data centre infrastructure.
Pax Silica reflects a broader shift in global tech diplomacy towards allied supply networks. Analysts say participation could shape future investment in AI infrastructure and manufacturing.
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The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have released ten principles for good AI practice in the medicines lifecycle. The guidelines provide broad direction for AI use in research, clinical trials, manufacturing, and safety monitoring.
The principles are relevant to pharmaceutical developers, marketing authorisation applicants, and holders, and will form the basis for future AI guidance in different jurisdictions. EU guideline development is already underway, building on EMA’s 2024 AI reflection paper.
European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi said the initiative demonstrates renewed EU-US cooperation and commitment to global innovation while maintaining patient safety.
AI adoption in medicine has grown rapidly in recent years. New pharmaceutical legislation and proposals, such as the European Commission’s Biotech Act, highlight AI’s potential to accelerate the development of safe and effective medicine.
A principles-based approach is seen as essential to manage risks while promoting innovation.
The EMA-FDA collaboration builds on prior bilateral work and aligns with EMA’s strategy to leverage data, digitalisation, and AI. Ethics and safety remain central, with a focus on international cooperation to enable responsible innovation in healthcare globally.
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Young adults in the UK are increasingly turning to AI for help with managing their finances, as many struggle to save and maintain control over spending.
A survey of 5,000 adults aged 28 to 40 found that impulse purchases and weak self-discipline frequently undermine savings, while most feel they could improve their financial knowledge.
AI-powered financial tools are gaining traction, particularly among those aged 28 to 34. Nearly two-thirds of respondents would trust AI to advise on disposable income, and over half would allow it to manage bills or prevent overdrafts.
However, nearly a quarter prefer to start with limited use, seeking proof of value before full engagement.
Regional differences highlight the uneven financial landscape in the UK. Londoners save significantly more than the national average, while cities such as Newcastle and Cardiff lag far behind.
Experts suggest fintech solutions must balance behavioural support with practical assistance and consider regional disparities to be effective.
Fintechs should prioritise tools that deliver immediate value over purely aspirational AI features. Modular tools and age- or region-specific solutions are likely to engage users, especially older millennials with rising financial responsibilities.
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At General Wolfe School and other Winnipeg classrooms, students are using AI tools to help with tasks such as translating language and understanding complex terms, with teachers guiding them on how to verify AI-generated information against reliable sources.
Teachers are cautious but optimistic, developing a thinking framework that prioritises critical thinking and human judgement alongside AI use rather than rigid policies as the technology evolves.
Educators in the Winnipeg School Division are adapting teaching methods to incorporate AI while discouraging over-reliance, stressing that students should use AI as an aid rather than a substitute for learning.
This reflects broader discussions in education about how to balance innovation with foundational skills as AI becomes more commonplace in school environments.
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The tech giant, IBM, has announced IBM Sovereign Core, a new software offering designed to help organisations deploy and manage AI-ready environments under sovereign control.
The product addresses growing regulatory and governance requirements as enterprises and governments seek greater authority over data, infrastructure and AI operations.
Digital sovereignty, according to IBM, extends beyond where data is stored and includes who controls systems, how access is governed and under which jurisdiction AI workloads operate.
IBM Sovereign Core is positioned as a foundational software layer that embeds sovereignty into operations instead of applying controls after deployment.
Built on Red Hat’s open-source technologies, the software enables customer-operated control planes, in-jurisdiction identity management and continuous compliance reporting. AI workloads, including inference and model hosting, can be governed locally without exporting data to external providers.
IBM plans to offer the software across on-premises environments, in-region cloud infrastructure and through selected service providers.
A technology preview is expected to begin in February, with full general availability planned for mid-2026.
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SEC Chair Paul Atkins says US crypto market structure legislation is close to becoming law, with President Donald Trump expected to sign it soon. The move aims to end regulatory uncertainty and provide clear legal foundations for digital asset markets.
Atkins has openly backed Congress in defining the jurisdictional split between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, arguing that statutory clarity is essential for protecting investors and supporting institutional growth.
Supporters believe clear rules will replace enforcement-led interpretation and allow the sector to mature within established financial frameworks.
Progress is moving through Congress, with the Senate Banking Committee advancing the CLARITY Act while the Agriculture Committee continues negotiations. Despite disagreements and amendments, bipartisan support suggests the bill could reach the White House by the end of the first quarter.
Looking ahead, Atkins has linked the bill to long-term US competitiveness, stating that clear and principled regulation will encourage innovation and attract capital. Coordination between the SEC, CFTC and the White House is expected to be central to implementation.
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