Interdisciplinary approaches Archives | Page 12 of 191

UNESCO launches research on harmful online content governance in South Africa

A new research initiative led by UNESCO is examining the governance of harmful online content in South Africa, bringing together actors from government, academia, civil society and technology platforms to strengthen digital governance frameworks.

Conducted under the Social Media 4 Peace programme and supported by the EU, the study investigates the spread and impact of hate speech and disinformation while assessing existing regulatory approaches and platform governance systems.

Emphasis is placed on identifying structural gaps and developing practical responses suited to the country’s socio-political context.

Stakeholder engagement has shaped the research design to reflect local realities, with the aim of producing actionable and rights-based recommendations. As noted by a researcher involved in the project,

‘At Research ICT Africa, we don’t want this study to end with generic recommendations. We are aiming for grounded insights into how social media is shaping information integrity in our context, alongside practical guidance that regulators, platforms, and civil society can apply.‘

Kola Ijasan, a researcher at Research ICT Africa

Regulatory perspectives also highlight the importance of understanding emerging risks. As one regulator stated,

‘We are particularly interested in identifying regulatory gaps – areas where current laws and frameworks fall short in addressing emerging digital risks.‘

Nomzamo Zondi, a regulator in South Africa.

Findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based policymaking, strengthen platform accountability and safeguard freedom of expression and access to information.

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Dublin launches major data centre microgrid

A new 110MW data centre microgrid has been launched in Dublin to support rising AI-driven energy demand. The system is designed to provide reliable power during early development stages before full grid connection.

The project combines energy generation, battery storage and heat recovery to improve efficiency and resilience. Developers say the system can help address power constraints affecting large-scale cloud and AI facilities.

Industry leaders in Dublin say the microgrid offers a model for integrating renewable energy with traditional infrastructure. The approach could be replicated in other European markets facing similar grid limitations.

Experts say the system also enables future innovations such as hydrogen integration and district heating. The project reflects a broader shift towards treating energy as a strategic asset in the expansion of AI infrastructure.

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CEOs worry about AI progress

Business leaders in Cyprus are increasingly concerned about whether their organisations are adapting quickly enough to AI-driven change. A recent PwC survey shows many executives feel the pace of transformation is too slow.

Despite growing interest, most companies have yet to see significant financial returns from AI. Only a minority reported increased revenue or reduced costs, while many said the impact remains limited. These returns are not limited to Cyprus, but are also seen around the world.

Companies in Cyprus are still building the foundations for wider AI adoption. The challenges include limited investment, difficulty attracting skilled talent and uncertainty about organisational readiness.

Executives expect AI to affect junior roles more than senior positions over the coming years. Leaders emphasise the need for clear strategy, workforce development and stronger alignment between technology and business goals.

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AI fuels rise in cyber scams

Cybercrime incidents have surged as AI tools enable more convincing scams, leading to sharply rising losses in Estonia. Authorities reported thousands of phishing and fraud cases affecting individuals and businesses.

Criminals are using AI to generate fluent messages in Estonian, removing a key warning sign that once helped people detect scams. Experts say language accuracy has made fraudulent calls and messages harder to identify.

Growing awareness of scams is also fuelling public anxiety, with some users considering abandoning digital services. Officials warn that loss of trust could undermine confidence in digital systems.

Authorities are urging stronger safeguards and public education to counter the cybersecurity threats. Banks, telecom firms and digital identity providers are introducing new protections while campaigns aim to improve digital awareness.

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MIT advances wireless sensing with generative AI

Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach that combines generative AI with wireless signals to detect objects hidden behind obstacles. The system uses Wi-Fi-like millimetre wave signals to build partial reconstructions and then completes missing details with AI.

Traditional methods struggled with limited visibility due to how signals reflect off surfaces, often leaving large portions of objects undetected. The new technique, Wave-Former, uses generative AI to fill missing data, improving reconstruction accuracy by nearly 20%.

An extended system, called RISE, takes the concept further by mapping entire indoor environments. By analysing reflected signals from human movement, the system reconstructs room layouts using a single stationary radar, removing the need for mobile sensors.

Applications range from warehouse automation to smart home robotics, where understanding hidden objects and human positions is critical. Unlike camera-based systems, the technology also preserves privacy, marking a significant step forward in wireless sensing capabilities.

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New AI system predicts chemical impact on genes

Researchers led by Michigan State University developed an AI model that predicts chemical effects on gene expression, speeding up drug discovery. The system analyses chemical structures to determine whether compounds increase or decrease activity in specific genes.

The model was trained on vast datasets of experimental results, allowing it to filter complex biological signals and produce reliable predictions. The approach allows virtual screening of millions of compounds, reducing the need for early-stage lab testing.

Study identified promising compounds for treating hepatocellular carcinoma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, two diseases with limited therapeutic options. Lab and animal tests confirmed several compounds reduced tumour growth or showed promise for lung disease treatment.

Findings highlight the growing role of AI in medicine, with researchers emphasising that collaboration across computational science, biology, and clinical practice remains essential to bringing new therapies from discovery to real-world use.

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AgentKit enables ID verification for AI-powered online commerce

Tools for Humanity has introduced a new verification system to strengthen trust in online transactions, as demand for reliable ID verification tools grows in AI-driven environments. The update builds on its World project, which aims to prove that real humans, rather than automated systems, are behind digital activity.

The company’s latest release, AgentKit, is designed to support agentic commerce by allowing websites to verify that AI agents are acting on behalf of authenticated users. As AI programs increasingly browse websites and make purchases autonomously, ID verification tools are becoming essential to prevent fraud, spam, and misuse.

AgentKit relies on World ID, a system that generates a secure digital identity through biometric verification. Users obtain a verified ID by scanning their iris using a dedicated device, which converts the scan into an encrypted digital code. These ID verification tools are then used to confirm that transactions initiated by AI agents are linked to a real and unique individual.

The system integrates with the x402 protocol, a blockchain-based standard developed by Coinbase and Cloudflare, enabling automated transactions between systems. By combining this protocol with ID verification tools, websites can validate whether a human user authorises an AI agent before completing a purchase.

‘AgentKit is built as a complementary extension to the x402 v2 protocol, in coordination with Coinbase,’ the company said. ‘The integration is designed so that any website already using x402 can enable proof of unique human verification alongside (or instead of) micropayments.’

According to the company, the approach functions similarly to delegating authority to an AI agent, allowing platforms to decide whether to trust automated actions. These ID verification tools provide a layer of accountability, helping ensure that AI-driven transactions remain secure and traceable.

AgentKit is currently available in beta, with developers encouraged to test and refine the system. However, access depends on users obtaining a verified World ID, reinforcing the central role of biometric-based ID verification tools in the company’s ecosystem.

As agentic commerce expands across platforms such as Amazon and Mastercard, the need for trusted identity systems is becoming more urgent. By positioning its ID verification tools at the centre of this emerging market, the company aims to establish itself as a key provider of trust infrastructure for AI-powered digital transactions.

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Memory chip shortage could last until 2030, SK chairman warns

Chey Tae-won warned that the global memory chip shortage could last for years, with structural supply constraints likely to continue into the next decade. Speaking on the sidelines of Nvidia GTC 2026 in San Jose, he said limited wafer capacity remains a key bottleneck for the semiconductor industry.

‘The shortage stems from a lack of wafer capacity, and securing additional wafers takes at least four to five years,’ Chey said. ‘We expect the industry-wide supply shortfall to persist at over 20 percent through 2030.’

He added that SK Hynix is implementing initiatives such as adjusting production schedules and diversifying supplier partnerships to stabilise prices. CEO Kwak Noh-jung is expected to provide further details on these new steps to manage volatility linked to the memory chip shortage.

Despite growing pressure to expand manufacturing overseas, Chey stressed that the group will prioritise domestic production to better respond to the ongoing memory chip shortage. ‘Building capacity outside Korea takes the same amount of time, regardless of location,’ he said. ‘Korea already has the infrastructure in place, allowing for a much faster response.’

He also highlighted the challenges of building fabrication plants abroad, including the need for reliable electricity and water supplies, as well as access to skilled engineering talent.

On competition in the high-bandwidth memory market, Chey noted that rising demand driven by artificial intelligence is reshaping supply dynamics. ‘AI requires graphics processing units (GPUs), and GPUs require HBM. We will do our best,’ he said, while cautioning that excessive focus on HBM could worsen the memory chip shortage for conventional DRAM used in smartphones and personal computers.

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UK launches major AI supercomputer for fusion research

The University of Cambridge has partnered with the UK Atomic Energy Authority and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to deploy a major AI supercomputer for fusion energy. The system, named ‘Sunrise’, is designed to accelerate research into clean and sustainable power.

Developed with support from Dell Technologies, AMD and StackHPC, the GPU-powered machine will operate at 1.4MW capacity. Project marks a significant step in strengthening the UK’s sovereign computing capabilities while supporting the Culham AI Growth Zone initiative.

Focus will centre on solving complex fusion challenges, including plasma turbulence, advanced materials, and fuel development. Advanced simulations and AI modelling are expected to play a key role in bringing fusion energy closer to commercial viability.

Plans aim to support the UK’s long-term goal of delivering fusion power to the national grid in the 2040s. Sunrise is scheduled to become operational in June, forming part of a broader national strategy to expand AI infrastructure and scientific innovation.

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AI chatbots raise risks as EU urged to enforce DSA rules

Concerns are growing over the risks posed by AI chatbots, particularly for minors, as evidence suggests these systems can facilitate harmful behaviour. A recent case in Finland, where a teenager planned a violent attack after interacting with an AI chatbot, has intensified calls for stronger oversight.

A report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that most leading AI chatbots assisted when prompted about violent acts. Researchers reported that eight out of ten systems tested generated harmful information or encouraged violence, highlighting gaps in existing safeguards.

The findings have renewed focus on how the Digital Services Act (DSA) could be applied to AI chatbots. Currently, the regulation primarily covers generative AI when integrated into large online platforms, leaving standalone chatbots in a regulatory grey area. Meanwhile, the AI Act focuses on model-level risks rather than user-facing systems.

Experts argue that this split leaves accountability unclear, as chatbot providers can avoid full responsibility by operating between regulatory frameworks. Proposals to delay elements of the AI Act or allow companies to self-assess risk levels have raised concerns about weakening safeguards at a critical moment for AI deployment.

Applying the DSA to chatbots could introduce obligations such as risk assessments, transparency requirements, and protections for minors. In the short term, chatbots could be treated as hosting services, requiring them to remove illegal content and respond to regulatory orders.

However, analysts warn that such measures would not fully address the risks. In the long term, they argue that the EU should create a dedicated regulatory category for AI chatbots, enabling stronger oversight similar to that applied to online platforms.

Stronger enforcement could also address harmful design features, such as systems that encourage prolonged engagement or escalate user prompts. Measures targeting manipulative interfaces and improving safeguards for minors could reduce the likelihood of harmful interactions.

As AI chatbots become more widely used for information, communication, and decision-making, policymakers face increasing pressure to act. Calls are growing for the EU to enforce existing rules while adapting its legal framework to ensure accountability keeps pace with technological change.

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