Future of work

IMY investigates major ransomware attack on Swedish IT supplier

Sweden’s data protection authority, IMY, has opened an investigation into a massive ransomware-related data breach that exposed personal information belonging to 1.5 million people. The breach originated from a cyberattack on IT provider Miljödata in August, which affected roughly 200 municipalities.

Hackers reportedly stole highly sensitive data, including names, medical certificates, and rehabilitation records, much of which has since been leaked on the dark web. Swedish officials have condemned the incident, calling it one of the country’s most serious cyberattacks in recent years.

The IMY said the investigation will examine Miljödata’s data protection measures and the response of several affected public bodies, such as Gothenburg, Älmhult, and Västmanland. The regulator’s goal is to identify security shortcomings for future cyber threats.

Authorities have yet to confirm how the attackers gained access to Miljödata’s systems, and no completion date for the investigation has been announced. The breach has reignited calls for tighter cybersecurity standards across Sweden’s public sector.

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Courts signal limits on AI in legal proceedings

A High Court judge warned that a solicitor who pushed an expert to accept an AI-generated draft breached their duty. Mr Justice Waksman called it a gross breach and cited a case from the latest survey.
He noted 14% of experts would accept such terms, which is unacceptable.

Updated guidance clarifies what limited judicial AI use is permissible. Judges may use a private ChatGPT 365 for summaries with confidential prompts. There is no duty to disclose, but the judgment must be the judge’s own.

Waksman cautioned against legal research or analysis done by AI. Hallucinated authorities and fake citations have already appeared. Experts must not let AI answer the questions they are retained to decide.

Survey findings show wider use of AI for drafting and summaries. Waksman drew a bright line between back-office aids and core duties. Convenience cannot trump independence, accuracy and accountability.

For practitioners, two rules follow. Solicitors must not foist AI-drafted expert opinions, and experts should refuse. Within courts, limited, non-determinative AI may assist, but outcomes must be human.

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Oracle and Ci4CC join forces to advance AI in cancer research

Oracle Health and Life Sciences has announced a strategic collaboration with the Cancer Center Informatics Society (Ci4CC) to accelerate AI innovation in oncology. The partnership unites Oracle’s healthcare technology with Ci4CC’s national network of cancer research institutions.

The two organisations plan to co-develop an electronic health record system tailored to oncology, integrating clinical and genomic data for more effective personalised medicine. They also aim to explore AI-driven drug development to enhance research and patient outcomes.

Oracle executives said the collaboration represents an opportunity to use advanced AI applications to transform cancer research. The Ci4CC President highlighted the importance of collective innovation, noting that progress in oncology relies on shared data and cross-institution collaboration.

The agreement, announced at Ci4CC’s annual symposium in Miami Beach US, remains non-binding but signals growing momentum in AI-driven precision medicine. Both organisations see the initiative as a step towards turning medical data into actionable insights that could redefine oncology care.

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University of Athens partners with Google to boost AI education

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has announced a new partnership with Google to enhance university-level education in AI. The collaboration grants all students free 12-month access to Google’s AI Pro programme, a suite of advanced learning and research tools.

Through the initiative, students can use Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google’s latest AI model, along with Deep Research and NotebookLM for academic exploration and study organisation. The offer also includes 2 TB of cloud storage and access to Veo 3 for video creation and Jules for coding support.

The programme aims to expand digital literacy and increase hands-on engagement with generative and research-driven AI tools. By integrating these technologies into everyday study, the university hopes to cultivate a new generation of AI-experienced graduates.

University officials view the collaboration as a milestone in Greek AI-driven education, following recent national initiatives to introduce AI programmes in schools and healthcare. The partnership marks a significant step in aligning higher education with the global digital economy.

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Companies call back workers as AI fails to replace jobs

As interest in AI grows, many companies that previously cut staff are now rehiring some of the same employees. Visier data shows about 5.3 percent of laid-off workers have returned, marking a steady but rising trend.

The findings suggest AI adoption has not yet replaced human labour at the scale some executives anticipated.

Visier’s analysis of 2.4 million employees across 142 global companies indicates that AI tools often automate parts of tasks rather than entire jobs. Experts say organisations are realising that AI implementation costs, including infrastructure, data systems, and security, often exceed initial projections.

Many companies now rely on experienced staff to manage or complement AI tools effectively.

Industry observers highlight a gap between expectations and outcomes. MIT research shows around 95 percent of firms have yet to see measurable financial returns from AI investments.

Cost-cutting measures such as layoffs also carry hidden expenses, with estimates suggesting companies spend $1.27 for every $1 saved when reducing staff.

Executives are urged to carefully assess AI’s true impact before assuming workforce reductions will deliver long-term savings. Rehiring former employees has become a practical response to bridge skill gaps and ensure technology integration succeeds without disrupting operations.

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Denmark’s new chat control plan raises fresh privacy concerns

Denmark has proposed an updated version of the EU’s controversial ‘chat control’ regulation, shifting from mandatory to voluntary scanning of private messages. Former MEP Patrick Breyer has warned, however, that the revision still threatens Europeans’ right to private communication.

Under the new plan, messaging providers could choose to scan chats for illegal material, but without a clear requirement for court orders. Breyer argued that this sidesteps the European Parliament’s position, which insists on judicial authorisation before any access to communications.

He also criticised the proposal for banning under-16s from using messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, claiming such restrictions would prove ineffective and easily bypassed. In addition, the plan would effectively outlaw anonymous communication, requiring users to verify their identities through IDs.

Privacy advocates say the Danish proposal could set a dangerous precedent by eroding fundamental digital rights. Civil society groups have urged EU lawmakers to reject measures that compromise secure, anonymous communication essential for journalists and whistleblowers.

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Anthropic strengthens European growth through Paris and Munich offices

AI firm Anthropic is expanding its European presence by opening new offices in Paris and Munich, strengthening its footprint alongside existing hubs in London, Dublin, and Zurich.

An expansion that follows rapid growth across the EMEA region, where the company has tripled its workforce and seen a ninefold increase in annual run-rate revenue.

The move comes as European businesses increasingly rely on Claude for critical enterprise tasks. Companies such as L’Oréal, BMW, SAP, and Sanofi are using the AI model to enhance software, improve workflows, and ensure operational reliability.

Germany and France, both among the top 20 countries in Claude usage per capita, are now at the centre to Anthropic’s strategic expansion.

Anthropic is also strengthening its leadership team across Europe. Guillaume Princen will oversee startups and digital-native businesses, while Pip White and Thomas Remy will lead the northern and southern EMEA regions, respectively.

A new head will soon be announced for Central and Eastern Europe, reflecting the company’s growing regional reach.

Beyond commercial goals, Anthropic is partnering with European institutions to promote AI education and culture. It collaborates with the Light Art Space in Berlin, supports student hackathons through TUM.ai, and works with the French organisation Unaite to advance developer training.

These partnerships reinforce Anthropic’s long-term commitment to responsible AI growth across the continent.

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Meta invests $600 billion to expand AI data centres across the US

A $600 billion investment aimed at boosting innovation, job creation, and sustainability is being launched in the US by Meta to expand its AI infrastructure.

Instead of outsourcing development, the company is building its new generation of AI data centres domestically, reinforcing America’s leadership in technology and supporting local economies.

Since 2010, Meta’s data centre projects have supported more than 30,000 skilled trade jobs and 5,000 operational roles, generating $20 billion in business for US subcontractors. These facilities are designed to power Meta’s AI ambitions while driving regional economic growth.

The company emphasises responsible development by investing heavily in renewable energy and water efficiency. Its projects have added 15 gigawatts of new energy to US power grids, upgraded local infrastructure, and helped restore water systems in surrounding communities.

Meta aims to become fully water positive by 2030.

Beyond infrastructure, Meta has channelled $58 million into community grants for schools, nonprofits, and local initiatives, including STEM education and veteran training programmes.

As AI grows increasingly central to digital progress, Meta’s continued investment in sustainable, community-focused data centres underscores its vision for a connected, intelligent future built within the US.

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‘Wooing and suing’ defines News Corp’s AI strategy

News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson warned AI companies against using unlicensed publisher content, calling recipients of ‘stolen goods’ fair game for pursuit. He said ‘wooing and suing’ would proceed in parallel, with more licensing deals expected after the OpenAI pact.

Thomson argued that high-quality data must be paid for and that ingesting material without permission undermines incentives to produce journalism. He insisted that ‘content crime does not and will not pay,’ signalling stricter enforcement ahead.

While criticising bad actors, he praised partners that recognise publisher IP and are negotiating usage rights. The company is positioning itself to monetise archives and live reporting through structured licences.

He also pointed to a major author settlement with another AI firm as a watershed for compensation over past training uses. The message: legal and commercial paths are both accelerating.

Against this backdrop, News Corp said AI-related revenues are gaining traction alongside digital subscriptions and B2B data services. Further licensing announcements are likely in the coming months.

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Suleyman sets limits for safer superintelligence at Microsoft

Microsoft AI says its work toward superintelligence will be explicitly ‘humanist’, designed to keep people at the top of the food chain. In a new blog post, Microsoft AI head Mustafa Suleyman announced a team focused on building systems that are subordinate, controllable, and designed to serve human interests.

Suleyman says superintelligence should not be unbounded. Models will be calibrated, contextualised, and limited to align with human goals. He joined Microsoft last year as its AI CEO, which has begun rolling out its first in-house models for text, voice, and images.

The move lands amid intensifying competition in advanced AI. Under a revised agreement with OpenAI, Microsoft can now independently pursue AGI or partner elsewhere. Suleyman says Microsoft AI will reject race narratives while acknowledging the need to advance capability and governance together.

Microsoft’s initial use cases emphasise an AI companion to help people learn, act, and feel supported; healthcare assistance to augment clinicians; and tools for scientific discovery in areas such as clean energy. The intent is to combine productivity gains with stronger safety controls from the outset.

‘Humans matter more than AI,’ Suleyman writes, casting ‘humanist superintelligence’ as technology that stays on humanity’s team. He frames the programme as a guard against Pandora’s box risks by binding robust systems to explicit constraints, oversight, and application contexts.

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