A new study introduces observed exposure, a measure that combines theoretical AI capability and real-world use to estimate which jobs are most susceptible to automation. Tasks performed by LLMs and actively automated at work receive higher exposure scores.
Computer programmers, customer service representatives, and financial analysts rank among the most exposed occupations.
The analysis finds that AI is far from reaching its full potential, with many tasks still beyond current capabilities. Occupations with higher observed exposure tend to grow more slowly, and workers in these roles are more likely to be older, female, highly educated, and earn higher wages.
Early evidence suggests that the hiring of younger workers aged 22-25 may be slowing in highly exposed occupations. While these effects are small, they may indicate initial labour market adjustments as AI tools become more integrated into workplace tasks.
Researchers emphasise that observed exposure provides a framework for tracking AI’s economic impact over time, helping policymakers and businesses identify potential vulnerabilities.
The study underscores the gap between AI’s theoretical capabilities and actual usage, highlighting the importance of monitoring adoption patterns. The framework uses task automation and job data to track AI’s impact on the workforce.
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Meta is facing a new lawsuit in the US over privacy concerns tied to its AI smart glasses.
The legal complaint follows investigative reporting indicating that contractors working for a Kenya-based subcontractor reviewed footage captured by users’ devices, including sensitive personal scenes.
The lawsuit alleges that some of the reviewed material included nudity and other intimate activities recorded by the glasses’ cameras.
According to the complaint, the footage formed part of a data review process designed to improve the AI system integrated into the wearable device.
Plaintiffs claim Meta marketed the product as prioritising user privacy, citing advertisements suggesting that the glasses were ‘designed for privacy’ and that users remained in control of their personal data.
The complaint argues that such messaging could mislead consumers if the footage were subject to human review without clear disclosure.
A legal action that also names eyewear manufacturer Luxottica, which partnered with Meta to produce the glasses.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office has begun examining the issue after reports that face-blurring safeguards may not have consistently protected individuals captured in the recordings.
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Experts gathered in London, UK, to examine how the concept of privacy has evolved over centuries. Discussions in London, UK, highlighted that privacy was only widely recognised as a legal and social norm after the Second World War.
Speakers in London noted that earlier societies often viewed privacy with suspicion or did not recognise it at all. Historical examples discussed included practices from Roman society and the French monarchy.
Modern legal protections expanded rapidly in recent decades, with privacy laws now covering about 80 percent of the global population. Scholars said the concept remains relatively new despite its central role in modern democracies.
The debate also explored whether privacy will remain a stable social value as technology evolves. Analysts in London said emerging technologies such as AI are reshaping debates over personal data and surveillance.
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Meta has announced that third-party AI chatbots will again be allowed to operate through WhatsApp in Europe, reversing restrictions introduced earlier this year.
The decision follows pressure from the European Commission, which had warned it could impose interim competition measures.
Earlier in 2026, Meta limited access to rival chatbot services on the messaging platform, prompting regulators to examine whether the move unfairly restricted competition in the rapidly expanding AI market.
WhatsApp remains one of the most widely used messaging applications across European countries, making platform access critical for emerging AI services.
Under the new arrangement, companies will be able to distribute general-purpose AI chatbots via the WhatsApp Business API for 12 months.
The change is intended to give European regulators time to complete their investigation while allowing competing AI services to operate within the platform ecosystem.
Meta has also indicated that businesses offering chatbots through WhatsApp will be required to pay fees to access the system.
The European Commission is now assessing whether these adjustments sufficiently address competition concerns surrounding the integration of AI services inside major digital platforms.
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Pressure is growing in New Zealand to strengthen the Privacy Act following several high-profile data breaches. Debate in New Zealand intensified after a cyberattack exposed medical records from the Manage My Health patient portal.
The breach in New Zealand affected about 120,000 patients and involved threats to release documents on the dark web. Another incident forced the MediMap medication platform offline after unauthorised changes were detected in patient records.
Privacy specialists argue that current enforcement powers are too weak to deter serious failures. The Privacy Act allows only limited financial penalties, with fines generally capped at NZD10,000.
Officials are now considering reforms, including stronger penalties for privacy violations. Policymakers also warn that failure to strengthen the law could threaten the country’s EU data adequacy status.
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AI is beginning to reshape corporate strategy as organisations shift from isolated technology experiments to broader operational transformation.
According to OpenAI, businesses that treat AI as a collection of disconnected pilots risk missing the bigger structural change that the technology enables.
A new framework describes five value models through which AI can gradually reshape companies. The first stage focuses on workforce empowerment, where tools such as ChatGPT spread AI capabilities across teams and improve everyday productivity.
Once employees develop fluency, organisations can introduce AI-native distribution models that transform how customers discover products and interact with digital services.
More advanced stages involve specialised systems. Expert capability integrates AI into research, creative production, and domain-specific analysis, allowing professionals to explore a wider range of ideas and experiments.
Meanwhile, systems and dependency management introduce AI tools capable of safely updating interconnected digital environments, including codebases, documentation, and operational processes.
The final stage involves full process re-engineering through autonomous agents. In such environments, AI systems coordinate complex workflows across departments while maintaining governance, accountability, and auditability.
Organisations that successfully progress through these stages may eventually redesign their business models rather than merely improving efficiency within existing structures.
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The European Union’s data protection watchdog has urged stronger safeguards as negotiations continue with the US over access to biometric databases. European Data Protection Supervisor Wojciech Wiewiórowski said limits must ensure Europeans’ data is used only for agreed purposes.
Talks between the EU and the US involve potential arrangements that would allow US authorities to query national biometric systems. Databases across the EU contain sensitive information, including fingerprints and facial recognition data.
Past transatlantic data-sharing agreements between the two have faced legal challenges due to insufficient safeguards. European regulators are closely monitoring the Data Privacy Framework amid ongoing concerns about oversight.
Officials also warned that emerging AI technologies could create new surveillance risks linked to US data access. European authorities said they must negotiate as a unified bloc when dealing with the US.
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South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party and the Financial Services Commission have agreed to cap major shareholder stakes in domestic crypto exchanges at 20%. Exceptions of up to 34% would apply to new businesses to support early-stage operators.
Large exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb will have 3 years to comply, while smaller platforms will receive an additional 3-year grace period.
Current ownership exceeds the proposed cap, with Upbit at 25.5%, Bithumb at 73.6%, and Coinone at 53.4%. Korbit’s pending acquisition would give Mirae Asset Consulting 92% ownership, highlighting the extent of concentrated holdings in the market.
The cap seeks to curb governance risks from concentrated shareholding, following the FSC’s January 2026 proposal. The move gained urgency after Bithumb’s accidental $43 billion Bitcoin transfer, which raised concerns about internal controls.
The ownership limit will likely be included in South Korea’s upcoming Digital Asset Basic Act, alongside rules on stablecoins and crypto ETFs.
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Researchers in the UK will gain a new AI lab designed to drive transformational breakthroughs in healthcare, transport, science, and everyday technology, supported by government funding.
The lab will provide up to £40 million in funding over six years, alongside substantial access to large-scale computing resources, inviting UK researchers to pitch their most ambitious ideas.
The Fundamental AI Research Lab will focus on tackling core AI challenges, including hallucinations, unreliable memory, and unpredictable reasoning.
The lab will support high-risk, blue-sky research rather than simply scaling existing systems. Its goal is to unlock entirely new capabilities that could improve medical diagnoses, infrastructure resilience, scientific discovery, and public services.
UK officials highlighted the country’s strength in world-class universities, AI talent, and a thriving sector attracting over £100 billion in private investment. Experts, including Raia Hadsell of Google DeepMind, will peer-review funding applications, prioritising bold, high-reward proposals.
The initiative is part of the UKRI AI Strategy, which is backed by £1.6 billion and aims to strengthen research and ensure AI benefits society and the economy. UK AI projects like RADAR for rail faults and the IXI Brain Atlas for Alzheimer’s research demonstrate the approach’s potential impact.
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Governments, companies and international organisations gathered in India in February for the AI Impact Summit to discuss the future of AI governance and adoption. Participants in India focused on economic impacts, labour market changes and sector specific uses of AI.
Delegates in India also highlighted growing interest in international cooperation on AI governance. Ninety one countries endorsed a declaration supporting shared tools, global collaboration and people centred development of AI.
Language diversity became a central topic during discussions in India. India’s government announced eight foundation AI models designed to support generative AI across the country’s 22 recognised languages.
Debate in India also reflected the growing influence of the Global South in AI policy discussions. Policymakers and experts in India emphasised infrastructure gaps, language diversity and local economic realities shaping AI adoption.
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