DW Weekly #215 – Japan is boosting its cyberdefence, NATO shifts digital priorities, EU’s International Digital Strategy

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30 May – 6 June 2025


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Dear readers,

Amid heightened cybersecurity tensions in East Asia, exemplified by China’s recent accusations against Taiwan for alleged cyberattacks and bounty offers targeting Taiwanese hackers, Japan is taking proactive steps to strengthen its cyberdefence capabilities. In May, the Japanese parliament approved a cyberdefence law, empowering authorities to monitor international communications through domestic infrastructure and neutralise overseas servers preemptively if they’re suspected of initiating cyberattacks. To complement these legislative measures, Japan is also formulating a comprehensive new cybersecurity strategy by the end of 2025, which will prioritise advanced encryption, proactive threat detection, and enhanced resilience of critical national infrastructure.

Cybersecurity policy strengthening is frequent these days, not only in Asia but also across the EU, as the UK and NATO bring important shifts in their cyberdefence strategies. The UK Ministry of Defence recently announced the establishment of a new Cyber and Electromagnetic Command aimed at integrating defensive cyber operations with offensive cyber and electronic warfare capabilities. Concurrently, NATO is considering formally incorporating cybersecurity into its defence spending guidelines, potentially including cyber capabilities within the alliance’s new 5% GDP target for defence expenditures.

Related to state security, another notable military development from the past week is the announcement that Chinese scientists have created the world’s first AI-based system capable of distinguishing real nuclear warheads from decoys, marking a significant breakthrough in arms control verification.

Cryptocurrencies continue to reshape Europe’s financial landscape, prompting varying responses from institutions across the continent. While the EU is actively advancing its ambitions for a digital euro, viewing it as a strategic tool to enhance the eurozone’s global currency influence and financial sovereignty, the Bank of Italy has expressed scepticism about current regulatory efforts. Specifically, Italy’s central bank criticised the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, pointing out its limited impact on boosting crypto adoption or effectively addressing consumer protection and market stability concerns.

The EU continues its legal battle with tech companies that do not comply with its digital market policies. Namely, the European Commission has imposed a €329 million fine on Berlin-based Delivery Hero and its Spanish subsidiary, Glovo, for participating in what it described as ‘a cartel’ in the online food delivery market.

A content policy correction initiative from France: TikTok has globally banned the hashtag ‘SkinnyTok’ after pressure from the French government, which accused the platform of promoting harmful eating habits among young users.

EU’s International Digital Strategy

On 5 June 2025, the European Commission and the High Representative unveiled a new International Digital Strategy for the EU, aiming to enhance the EU’s global tech competitiveness and security amid a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The strategy emphasises deepening existing Digital Partnerships and Dialogues, establishing new ones, and creating a Digital Partnership Network to foster collaboration on emerging technologies like AI, 5G/6G, semiconductors, and quantum computing, while promoting secure connectivity through initiatives like the Global Gateway. It also introduces an EU Tech Business Offer, a modular approach to combine technology solutions with capacity-building, supporting trusted partners in building secure digital infrastructure, such as submarine cables and AI Factories. 

Prioritising cybersecurity, the EU plans to strengthen defences against cyber threats and Foreign Information Manipulation (FIMI) by enhancing resilience and promoting algorithmic transparency on online platforms. The strategy reaffirms the EU’s commitment to shaping global digital governance by advocating for human-centric standards in forums like the UN and G7, ensuring the digital transformation aligns with democratic values and fundamental rights.

Last week in Geneva

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In Geneva, the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), convened by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is currently taking place from 2 to 13 June 2025 at the Palais des Nations and ILO headquarters, where delegates are deliberating on pressing global labour issues.

On 5 June, the Giga Research Lab, in collaboration with Giga and the Geneva Innovation Movement, hosted a high-level event titled Bridging the Digital Divide: Cross-Sector Insights for Scaling School Connectivity. Held on Giga premises, the event welcomed invited guests for an exchange of ideas on expanding digital access in education.

On the same day, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) held a webinar to launch the fourth edition of the landmark report, Greening Digital Companies: Monitoring Emissions and Climate Commitments 2025.

For the main updates, reflections and events, consult the RADAR, the READING CORNER and the UPCOMING EVENTS section below.

DW Team


RADAR

Highlights from the week of 30 May – 6 June 2025

EU

As the global race for digital dominance accelerates, the European Union is stepping forward with a bold strategy that blends technological ambition with a commitment to democratic values and international…

House of Lords Chamber

Peers warn the UK’s creative sector could suffer if AI firms are allowed to use copyrighted content without consent or fair compensation.

satellite messaging

Space-based cryptography aims to secure sensitive data from quantum threats.

quantum computers

New centre aims to accelerate real-world use of quantum computing.

enter new era computing with large quantum computer generative ai

The open-architecture Tuna-5 showcases how academic labs and startups can build a functional quantum machine with interoperable components from the local supply chain.

image 14

Opposition seeks answers in emergency parliament session on 5 June.

vodafone

Vodafone is facing one of the largest privacy-related fines in Germany’s telecom sector, revealing deep concerns over how personal data is handled behind the scenes.

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The lawmakers have approved a bill allowing crypto payments for state services under a pilot programme.

Meta Clinton Clean Energy Center Illinois Constellation nuclear energy AI

Meta’s AI infrastructure plans include $65 billion in spending for 2025.

amazon india beverly hills polo club Lifestyle equities trademark lawsuit

However, an expert warned that Amazon’s investment shows how costly AI infrastructure has become, pushing out smaller developers.

nord quantique qubit quantum computers photons multimode encoding

Quantum computers may need fewer qubits, thanks to new photon-based encoding.


READING CORNER
Faut il laisser lIA halluciner

The rise of AI is transforming work and education, but raises questions about its impact on critical thinking and cognitive independence.

UPCOMING EVENTS
WSIS20 consultations June 2025
9 Jun 2025 – 10 Jun 2025

The consultation, organised by the the President of the General Assembly, aims to gather input from all relevant WSIS stakeholders on the preparatory process for the review of the implementation…

ICANN 83
9 Jun 2025 – 12 Jun 2025

The event will focus on ongoing policy development, community outreach, and collaboration among global stakeholders.

wsis
10 Jun 2025, 14:00h – 15:00h

The session aims to foster open dialogue, encourage active stakeholder engagement, and support continued progress toward the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025

diplo event 1 zelena
12 June 2025 – 13 June 2025

Digital Democracy for All (D4ALL): Capacity Building Programme for Armenia The Digital Democracy for All (DD4ALL) project is a collaborative initiative

IGF2025
23 Jun 2025 – 27 Jun 2025
The Government of Norway will host the 20th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrøm from 23 to 27 June 2025.
IGF 2025
23 June 2025 – 27 June 2025

Diplo/GIP at IGF 2025 The 20th annual meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be hosted by the Government of Norway, in Lillestrøm, from 23 to 27 June.

UNESCO logu blue background
24 Jun 2025 – 27 Jun 2025
Thailand will host the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence from 24 to 27 June 2025.

Digital Watch newsletter – Issue 100

May 2025 in Retrospect

Dear readers,

Welcome to the 100th issue of the Digital Watch Monthly Newsletter with new insights, updates, and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox! As we mark this milestone, we reflect on a transformative May 2025.

From the EU’s assertive regulatory actions to the persisting side effects of US-China tech tensions, and groundbreaking strides in quantum computing, our Digital Watch Monthly Newsletter encapsulates the dynamic interplay of technology and policy.

Let’s start with the EU, which this May intensified its enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA), targeting platforms like Pornhub and Shein for non-compliance with rules aimed at curbing harmful content and ensuring transparency. 

On the other side of the Atlantic, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) escalated its antitrust campaign against Google, demanding the divestiture of key advertising platforms like AdX and DFP to dismantle its digital advertising monopoly.

Speaking of TikTok and its US saga, President Trump extended the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations amid ongoing US-China trade frictions. 

The US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership, backed by a $200 billion deal, underscored a big effort to counter China’s technological reach.

Ireland’s Equal1 introduced a silicon-based quantum computer designed for integration into existing data centres. This breakthrough, alongside the UAE’s launch of the world’s largest AI campus outside the USA, underscores the global race for AI and quantum leadership.

The UK recorded the fastest growth in cryptocurrency adoption globally in 2025. Conversely, due to adoption challenges and economic volatility, El Salvador scaled back its Bitcoin-as-legal-tender experiment.

Join us as we unravel the key tendencies of May 2025, connecting the dots from our weekly updates to bring you a clear, engaging monthly snapshot of the digital trends worldwide.

Diplo’s analysis and reporting in an exceptional time

In a world where history unfolds at breakneck speed, the real challenge isn’t just keeping up—it’s making sense of it all. Every day brings a flood of information, but the bigger picture often gets lost in the noise. How do today’s developments shape long-term trends? How do they impact us as individuals, communities, businesses, and even humanity?

At Diplo, we bridge the gap between real-time updates and deeper insights. Our Digital Watch keeps a pulse on daily developments while connecting them to weekly, monthly, and yearly trends as illustrated bellow.

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From cybersecurity to e-commerce to digital governance, we track these shifts from daily fluctuations to long-term industry pivots.

In our 100th issue of the monthly newsletter, you can follow: AI and tech TENDENCIES | Developments in GENEVA | Dig.Watch ANALYSIS

Best regards,

DW Team


Content, data governance and legal frameworks

May 2025 marked a very trend-setting moment for content governance, with the EU intensifying enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA). A Brussels workshop highlighted the DSA’s risk-based approach, pushing platforms to address systemic risks while facing calls for greater transparency. Platforms like Pornhub and Shein faced scrutiny for compliance with rules targeting, the first, harmful content and the second transparency. Enforcement actions included scrutiny of adult sites for failing to protect minors, with plans for EU-wide age verification. Additionally, the EU demanded compliance from Shein over misleading labels and fake discounts, emphasising transparency in e-commerce. To end, TikTok was handed a €530 million ($600 million) fine by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) over data privacy violations involving user information transfers to China.

EuroDIG 2025, hosted by the Council of Europe, emphasised multistakeholder dialogue, advocating for balanced content moderation that respects free expression while curbing misinformation. Globally, platforms have grappled to align local regulations with user expectations, highlighting the need for adaptive governance frameworks.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) escalated its antitrust push against Google, demanding divestitures of ad platforms like AdX and DFP to dismantle its advertising monopoly. Adopted earlier, the Council of Europe’s Convention on AI and Human Rights set a global precedent for ethical AI regulation, influencing discussions at EuroDIG 2025.

Speaking about abuse of data and copyright, the UK’s debate over AI and copyright intensified as over 400 artists, including Elton John and Dua Lipa, urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to protect creative works from unauthorised AI use. The House of Lords amended the Data (Use and Access) Bill to require AI firms to disclose copyrighted materials used in training. Still, the government resisted, citing potential harm to the AI sector. Former Deputy PM Nick Clegg argued that mandatory artist consent could cripple the UK’s AI industry. Despite government concessions, including impact assessments and consultations, the creative community remains concerned about the potential erosion of intellectual property rights in the face of advancing AI technologies.

Trade tensions and global competition: side effects

US-China trade frictions persisted, with President Trump extending ByteDance’s deadline to divest TikTok’s US operations, signalling ongoing geopolitical chess moves. Additionally, the USA tightened export controls on AI chips, prompting Nvidia to redesign its products for the Chinese market. AMD expects to lose around $1.5 billion in revenue this year because of new US export restrictions on advanced AI chips, which now require a licence to be sold to China. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump agreed to delay a planned 50% tariff on EU imports until 9 July 2025, following a request from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

AI, quantum advancements, and digital infrastructure

AI innovation surged, with smaller, specialised models gaining traction over large-scale systems. In May 2025, AI made major strides across fields: Anthropic launched Claude 4 models with autonomous capabilities, while DeepMind’s AlphaEvolve further pushed algorithmic optimisation. Google unveiled Veo 3 for synchronised video generation, and Midjourney V7 boosted creative workflows with faster rendering. 

In industry, TCS promoted a ‘Human+AI’ workforce model, and Odisha approved a pioneering AI policy. However, concerns over job displacement and energy demands were growing. On the research front, the USA introduced the Doudna supercomputer for genomics, and scientists engineered a new AI-designed protein, esmGFP, marking a leap forward in bioengineering.

May brought quantum computing back into the spotlight as Europe and Asia made bold moves. French startup Quandela unveiled Belenos, a 12-qubit quantum computer available via the cloud, positioning Europe as a serious contender in the quantum hardware arena. Not to be outdone, Japan launched ABCI-Q, its new quantum platform, backed by increased national investment to accelerate research and industrial adoption.

Ireland’s Equal1 unveiled a silicon-based quantum computer, designed for seamless integration into existing data centres, marking a leap in quantum-AI convergence. The United Arab Emirates announced plans for the world’s largest AI campus outside the USA, a 10-square-mile facility in Abu Dhabi led by G42, in a $200 billion deal as part of the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership. G42 and OpenAI have been collaborating on the Stargate Initiative, a massive AI data facility.

Cybersecurity concerns

In May 2025, cybersecurity concerns intensified as quantum computing advancements posed significant threats to current encryption methods. BlackRock updated its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF filings to highlight the potential risk quantum computing poses to Bitcoin’s cryptographic security. The firm warned that future quantum breakthroughs could undermine the cryptographic systems that protect Bitcoin wallets, necessitating broad consensus across the decentralised network to implement defences.

Simultaneously, China’s rapid progress in quantum technology, including the development of a 600-mile secure quantum communication line, underscored the urgency for post-quantum cryptographic measures. These developments have accelerated global efforts to transition to quantum-resistant encryption standards, as traditional cryptographic algorithms face obsolescence in the face of emerging quantum capabilities.

Cybersecurity remained a critical focus, with the EU extending the Radio Equipment Directive’s deadline to bolster digital safety amid rising cyber threats. The UK and the EU agreed to enhance cooperation on cybersecurity as part of a broader defence and security pact. While Japan enacted new cybersecurity legislation, reflecting a global trend towards strengthening digital defences, the Dutch government adopted new legislation expanding the scope of its espionage laws to include digital espionage and other activities carried out on behalf of foreign states that may harm Dutch national interests.

The UAE’s $544 million AI data centre with Microsoft and its AI accelerator initiatives underscored the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. Data privacy debates intensified, with EuroDIG 2025 addressing algorithmic impacts on human autonomy. Globally, calls for stronger privacy protections grew as AI-driven data processing raised ethical concerns, urging policymakers to prioritise user rights.To better follow up on the next section, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the USA, Coinbase, revealed that a recent cyber-attack could cost between $180 million and $400 million.

Cryptocurrency digital policy dynamics

The cryptocurrency landscape has seen mixed developments. The UK recorded the fastest growth in cryptocurrency adoption globally in 2025. The proportion of UK adults holding cryptocurrencies rose to 24% in April 2025, up from 18% a year earlier, driven by regulatory clarity and institutional adoption and marking the sharpest year-on-year increase among the countries surveyed. Singapore held the highest individual rate, with 29% of respondents reporting ownership of cryptocurrencies. Conversely, due to adoption challenges and economic volatility, El Salvador scaled back its Bitcoin-as-legal-tender experiment.

Regulatory debates have focused on balancing innovation with consumer protection, with the EU exploring stricter crypto oversight under its digital finance framework, reflecting a cautious approach to decentralised finance.

Diplo BlogDr Jovan Kurbalija writes ‘What can we learn from 160 years of tech diplomacy at ITU?

On the occasion of the 160th anniversary of ITU, Dr Jovan Kurbalija has written a blog post reflecting on the event, reminding us that: “On 17 May 1865, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was founded by 20 European states to streamline telegraph messaging across borders, highlighting the need for multilateral cooperation in communication. Over 160 years, ITU has maintained its mission to balance national sovereignty with shared connectivity amidst evolving technologies. Historical lessons illustrate that crises can prompt necessary changes, while technological advancements continue to shape global power dynamics. As we celebrate ITU’s legacy, we are reminded that collaboration, standards, and diplomacy remain vital in navigating the challenges of today’s interconnected digital landscape.”

In case you missed it

In case you missed it, the GIP reported from the West African IGF (WAIGF) 2025, held last week. The WAIGF is a regional initiative that brings together various stakeholders to discuss and address internet-related issues in West Africa.

Diplo also actively participated in the Brazilian Internet Forum (FIB), held on 26-30 May and hosted by the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br). Representing Diplo, Marilia Maciel contributed to critical discussions on state roles and multistakeholder collaboration in managing cloud infrastructures and defending digital sovereignty. She also offered insights during the main session on setting principles for regulating digital platforms.

Join us next month as we track these evolving trends. Subscribe to our weekly updates at dig.watch for the latest digital policy insights!

For more information on cybersecurity, digital policies, AI governance and other related topics, visit diplomacy.edu.


Developments, events and takeaways

In May 2025, Geneva reaffirmed its role as a pivotal hub for digital diplomacy, hosting a series of significant events that advanced global discussions on cybersecurity, digital governance, and the ethical deployment of emerging technologies.

The highlight was the second Global Conference on Cyber Capacity Building (GC3B), held on 13-14 May, which convened policymakers, development experts, and cybersecurity leaders to assess progress and chart a forward-looking agenda in line with the 2023 Accra Call. The conference emphasised the secure use of new digital technologies in development cooperation, particularly in the Global South, and was a key event of the inaugural Geneva Cyber Week.

Complementing this, the Geneva Cybersecurity Hub was formally launched on 16 May, establishing a multidisciplinary, multistakeholder network of Geneva-based institutions focused on the intersection of cyberspace and international security.

On 28 May, Diplo and the Geneva Internet Platform hosted a briefing exploring the interplay between the UN80 Initiative, UN processes on digital governance, and AI. The session examined how the UN80 Initiative could reshape digital governance processes across the UN and its specialised agencies, including in Geneva, and considered the potential role of AI in enhancing the UN’s effectiveness.

Additionally, preparations were underway for the WSIS+20 High-Level Event, scheduled for July 2025 in Geneva. The event aims to review 20 years of progress since the World Summit on the Information Society, facilitating multistakeholder dialogue on achievements, key trends, and challenges in the digital domain.


May 2025 was marked by notable developments in AI governance, cybersecurity, and global digital policy. Here’s a snapshot of what happened over the last month:

TECHNOLOGY

Researchers have used a single atom to simulate how molecules react to light, marking a milestone in quantum chemistry.

Discussions about the conflict of interest surrounding US President Donald Trump’s crypto ventures are delaying crypto legislation. Democrats are blocking the stablecoin bill, the GENIUS Act, to prevent Trump from profiting off crypto.

Organisations across sectors are turning to agentic automation—an emerging class of AI systems designed to think, plan, and act autonomously to solve complex, multi-step problems.

Two physicists from Aalto University believe they may have found a solution to one of science’s most enduring challenges: uniting gravity with quantum physics.

GOVERNANCE

Politiscope recently held an event at the Croatian Journalists’ Association to highlight the human rights risks of AI. As Croatia begins drafting a national law to implement the EU AI Act, the event aimed to push for stronger protections and transparency instead of relying on vague promises of innovation.

Pakistan has formed a new body to regulate its growing digital asset market and embrace blockchain-based financial innovation.

Senators voted 66-32 to advance the GENIUS Act, a bill aimed at regulating stablecoins. Sixteen Democrats joined Republicans in backing the measure, reversing a previous block.

The UN and global experts have emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive regulation of AI in military applications. 

As negotiations advance among UN General Assembly members in New York, a revised draft resolution (rev1) has been issued outlining updated proposals for the terms of reference and modalities for the Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance. 

The US Senate voted against advancing the GENIUS Act, which sought to regulate stablecoins.

The European Union is set to introduce new measures under its Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR) to track cryptocurrency transfers.

INFRASTRUCTURE

A Chinese startup, Origin Quantum, has unveiled Tianji 4.0, a cutting-edge superconducting quantum measurement and control system capable of supporting quantum computers with over 500 qubits.

Chadian authorities have unveiled a set of strategic policies aimed at strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure and reducing its dependence on Cameroon for international internet connectivity.

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC (du) has partnered with Microsoft to build a 2 billion dirham (US$544.5 million) hyperscale data centre in the UAE, unveiled during Dubai AI Week.

IHS Nigeria and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have partnered to enhance the protection of critical telecommunications infrastructure across Nigeria.

LEGAL

A federal judge has ruled that Google and AI startup Character.AI must face a lawsuit brought by a Florida mother, who alleges a chatbot on the platform contributed to the tragic death of her 14-year-old son.

Meta is under renewed scrutiny for what critics describe as ‘open washing’ after sponsoring a Linux Foundation whitepaper on the benefits of open source AI.

ECONOMY

The United States continues to tighten its control over the export of advanced AI chips to China. The intent is to block China from accessing technology that could strengthen its military or help it surpass US leadership in AI.

Bilal Bin Saqib, head of the Pakistan Crypto Council, announced the plans to establish a national Bitcoin reserve as part of Pakistan’s broader digital asset strategy at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has raised concerns that US export restrictions are accelerating the growth of Chinese AI firms, making them more competitive.

Bitcoin surged to a fresh all-time high of $111,544 during early Asian trading on Thursday, marking a 4% jump from Wednesday’s peak.

Trade Ministers from BRICS countries convened in Brasília to exchange views on trade and investment challenges.

Crypto.com has secured a MiFID licence, allowing it to offer regulated crypto derivatives across the European Economic Area.

OpenAI has announced it will no longer pursue a full transition to a for-profit company.

Gemini has received a MiFID II licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority, allowing it to offer regulated crypto derivatives across the EU and EEA.

OpenAI plans to reduce the share of revenue it gives Microsoft as part of its long-term partnership, according to a report by The Information.

OpenAI plans to reduce the share of revenue it gives Microsoft as part of its long-term partnership.

India’s two largest stock exchanges, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE Ltd, have temporarily restricted overseas access to their websites amid rising concerns over cyber threats.

SECURITY

Taiwan has rejected accusations from Beijing that its ruling party orchestrated cyberattacks against Chinese infrastructure.

The UK and the EU have agreed to step up cooperation on cybersecurity as part of a wider defence and security pact.

The global cybersecurity community faces a ticking clock. China’s rapid advances in quantum computing, combined with insufficient global investment in quantum-safe cryptography, have placed Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) at a critical crossroads.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) will establish a Cyber and Electromagnetic Command to unify defensive cyber operations and coordinate offensive capabilities alongside the National Cyber Force.

Prague has formally accused China of launching a malicious cyber campaign against its Foreign Affairs ministry’s unclassified communications network.

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has disclosed a potential financial impact of $180 million to $400 million following a cyberattack that compromised customer data, according to a regulatory filing on Thursday.

The EU Council has extended its sanctions on cyberattacks until 18 May 2026, with the legal framework for enforcing these measures now lasting until 2028. 

A new bill introduced by Republican Senator Tom Cotton aims to bolster national security by requiring location verification features on American-made AI chips.

Thousands of Edinburgh pupils were forced to attend school on Saturday after a phishing attack disrupted access to vital online learning resources.

Cyberattacks targeting the US surged dramatically in early 2025, according to a new report from cybersecurity firm Trellix.

DEVELOPMENT

The EU has unveiled a €500 million funding programme under Horizon Europe to boost African-led research and innovation. A total of 24 funding calls are organised around five thematic areas.

Nvidia has unveiled plans to open the Nvidia Accelerated Quantum Research Centre (NVAQC) in Boston, a facility set to bridge quantum computing and AI supercomputing.

Google has laid off around 200 employees from its global business unit as the company sharpens its focus on AI and cloud services.

Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike is laying off 500 employees—5% of its workforce—as it shifts towards an AI-led operating model to boost efficiency and hit a $10 billion annual revenue goal.

Duolingo has come under fire after CEO Luis von Ahn announced the company is transitioning to an ‘AI-first’ model, with plans to replace certain human roles with AI.

SOCIO-CULTURAL

Texas is considering a bill that would ban social media use for anyone under 18. The proposal, which recently advanced past the state Senate committee, is expected to be voted on before the legislative session ends on 2 June.

The rise of personalised AI is poised to radically reshape how we interact with technology, with search engines evolving into intelligent agents that not only retrieve information but also understand and act on our behalf.

Far more online content is removed under US tech firms’ terms and conditions than under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), according to Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has alleged that France’s foreign intelligence agency attempted to pressure him. He claims they wanted him to ban Romanian conservative channels ahead of the 2025 presidential elections.

More than 400 prominent British artists, including Dua Lipa, Elton John, and Sir Ian McKellen, have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to update UK copyright laws to protect their work from being used without consent in training AI systems.

For more information on cybersecurity, digital policies, AI governance and other related topics, visit diplomacy.edu.


AI is reshaping how stories are told in film, games, and music, raising questions about authorship, ethics, and artistic identity.

It feels like just yesterday that the internet was buzzing over the first renditions of OpenAI’s DALL·E tool, with millions competing to craft the funniest, weirdest prompts and sharing the results across social media. The sentiment was clear: the public was fascinated by the creative potential of this new technology.

But beneath the laughter and viral memes was a quieter, more uneasy question: what happens when AI not only generates quirky artwork, but begins to reshape our daily lives—both online and off? As it turns out, that process was already underway behind the scenes—and we were none the wiser.

AI in action: How the entertainment industry is using it today

Three years later, we have reached a point where AI’s influence seems to have passed the point of no return. The entertainment industry was among the first to embrace this technology, and starting with the 2025 Academy Awards, films that incorporate AI are now eligible for Oscar nominations.

That decision has been met with mixed reactions, to put it lightly. While some have praised the industry’s eagerness to explore new technological frontiers, others have claimed that AI greatly diminishes the human contribution to the art of filmmaking and therefore takes away the essence of the seventh art form.

The first wave of AI-enhanced storytelling

One recent example is the film The Brutalist, in which AI was used to refine Adrien Brody’s Hungarian dialogue to sound more authentic—a move that sparked both technical admiration and creative scepticism.

With AI now embedded in everything from voiceovers to entire digital actors, we are only beginning to confront what it truly means when creativity is no longer exclusively human.


Academy Awards 2025, Adrien Brody, The Brutalist, The Oscars, Best Actor

Setting the stage: AI in the spotlight

The first major big-screen resurrection occurred in 1994’s The Crow, where Brandon Lee’s sudden passing mid-production forced the studio to rely on body doubles, digital effects, and existing footage to complete his scenes. However, it was not until 2016 that audiences witnessed the first fully digital revival.

In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Peter Cushing’s character was brought back to life using a combination of CGI, motion capture, and a facial stand-in. Although primarily reliant on traditional VFX, the project paved the way for future use of deepfakes and AI-assisted performance recreation across movies, TV shows, and video games.

Afterward, some speculated that studios tied to Peter Cushing’s legacy—such as Tyburn Film Productions—could pursue legal action against Disney for reviving his likeness without direct approval. While no lawsuit was filed, questions were raised about who owns a performer’s digital identity after death.

The digital Jedi: How AI helped recreate Luke Skywalker

Fate would have it that AI’s grand debut would take place in a galaxy far, far away—with the surprise appearance of Luke Skywalker in the Season 2 finale of The Mandalorian (spoiler alert). The moment thrilled fans and marked a turning point for the franchise—but it was more than just fan service.

Here’s the twist: Mark Hamill did not record any new voice lines. Instead, actor Max Lloyd-Jones performed the physical role, while Hamill’s de-aged voice was recreated with the help of Respeecher, a Ukrainian company specialising in AI-driven speech synthesis.

Impressed by their work, Disney turned to Respeecher once again—this time to recreate James Earl Jones’s iconic Darth Vader voice for the Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries. Using archival recordings that Jones signed over for AI use, the system synthesised new dialogue that perfectly matched the intonation and timbre of his original trilogy performances.

Darth Vader, James Earl Jones, Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Respeecher, AI voice synthesizer

AI in moviemaking: Preserving legacy or crossing a line?

The use of AI to preserve and extend the voices of legendary actors has been met with a mix of admiration and unease. While many have praised the seamless execution and respect shown toward the legacy of both Hamill and Jones, others have raised concerns about consent, creative authenticity, and the long-term implications of allowing AI to perform in place of humans.

In both cases, the actors were directly involved or gave explicit approval, but these high-profile examples may be setting a precedent for a future where that level of control is not guaranteed.

A notable case that drew backlash was the planned use of a fully CGI-generated James Dean in the unreleased film Finding Jack, decades after his death. Critics and fellow actors have voiced strong opposition, arguing that bringing back a performer without their consent reduces them to a brand or asset, rather than honouring them as an artist.

AI in Hollywood: Actors made redundant?

What further heightened concerns among working actors was the launch of Promise, a new Hollywood studio built entirely around generative AI. Backed by wealthy investors, Promise is betting big on Muse—a GenAI tool designed to produce high-quality films and TV series at a fraction of the cost and time required for traditional Hollywood productions.

Filmmaking is a business, after all—and with production budgets ballooning year after year, AI-powered entertainment sounds like a dream come true for profit-driven studios.

Meta’s recent collaboration with Blumhouse Productions on Movie Gen only adds fuel to the fire, signalling that major players are eager to explore a future where storytelling may be driven as much by algorithms as by authentic artistry.

AI in gaming: Automation or artistic collapse?

Speaking of entertainment businesses, we cannot ignore the world’s most popular entertainment medium: gaming. While the pandemic triggered a massive boom in game development and player engagement, the momentum was short-lived.

As profits began to slump in the years that followed, the industry was hit by a wave of layoffs, prompting widespread internal restructuring and forcing publishers to rethink their business models entirely. In hopes of cost-cutting, AAA companies had their eye on AI as their one saving grace.

Nvidia developing AI chips, along with Ubisoft and EA investing in AI and machine learning, have sent clear signals to the industry: automation is no longer just a backend tool—it is a front-facing strategy.

With AI-assisted NPC behaviour and AI voice acting, game development is shifting toward faster, cheaper, and potentially less human-driven production. In response, game developers have become concerned about their future in the industry, and actors are less inclined to sign off their rights for future projects.

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AI voice acting in video games

In an attempt to compete with wealthier studios, even indie developers have turned to GenAI to replicate the voices of celebrity voice actors. Tools like ElevenLabs and Altered Studio offer a seemingly straightforward way to get high-quality talent—but if only it were that simple.

Copyright laws and concerns over authenticity remain two of the strongest barriers to the widespread adoption of AI-generated voices—especially as many consumers still view the technology as a crutch rather than a creative tool for game developers.

The legal landscape around AI-generated voices remains murky. In many places, the rights to a person’s voice—or its synthetic clone—are poorly defined, creating loopholes developers can exploit.

AI voice cloning challenges legal boundaries in gaming

The legal ambiguity has fuelled a backlash from voice actors, who argue that their performances are being mimicked without consent or pay. SAG-AFTRA and others began pushing for tighter legal protections in 2023.

A notable flashpoint came in 2025, when Epic Games faced criticism for using an AI-generated Darth Vader voice in Fortnite. SAG-AFTRA filed a formal complaint, citing licensing concerns and a lack of actor involvement.

Not all uses have been controversial. CD Projekt Red recreated the voice of the late Miłogost Reczek in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty—with his family’s blessing—setting a respectful precedent for the ethical use of AI.

How AI is changing music production and artist Identity

AI is rapidly reshaping music production, with a recent survey showing that nearly 25% of producers are already integrating AI tools into their creative workflows. This shift reflects a growing trend in how technology is influencing composition, mixing, and even vocal performance.

Artists like Imogen Heap are embracing the change with projects like Mogen, an AI version of herself that can create music and interact with fans—blurring the line between human creativity and digital innovation.
Major labels are also experimenting: Universal Music has recently used AI to reimagine Brenda Lee’s 1958 classic in Spanish, preserving the spirit of the original while expanding its cultural reach.

AI and the future of entertainment

As AI becomes more embedded in entertainment, the line between innovation and exploitation grows thinner. What once felt like science fiction is now reshaping the way stories are told—and who gets to tell them.

Whether AI becomes a tool for creative expansion or a threat to human artistry will depend on how the industry and audiences choose to engage with it in the years ahead. As in any business, consumers vote with their wallets, and only time will tell whether AI and authenticity can truly go hand-in-hand.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!


AI-powered tools from Google, IBM, and startups improve diagnostics, clinical documentation, and patient care, reducing clinician workloads and enhancing healthcare outcomes worldwide.

Silicon Valley targets health

The intersection of technology and healthcare is rapidly evolving, fuelled by advancements in ΑΙ and driven by major tech companies that are expanding their reach into the life sciences sector.

Once primarily known for consumer electronics or search engines, companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, and IBM are now playing an increasingly central role in transforming the medical field.

These companies, often referred to as ‘Big Tech’, are pushing the boundaries of what was once considered science fiction, using AI to innovate across multiple aspects of healthcare, including diagnostics, treatment, drug development, clinical trials, and patient care.

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AI becomes doctors’ new tool

At the core of this revolution is AI. Over the past decade, AI has evolved from a theoretical tool to a practical and transformative force within healthcare.

Companies are developing advanced machine learning algorithms, cognitive computing models, and AI-powered systems capable of matching—and sometimes surpassing—human capabilities in diagnosing and treating diseases.

AI is also reshaping many aspects of healthcare, from early disease detection to personalised treatments and even drug discovery. This shift is creating a future where AI plays a significant role in diagnosing diseases, developing treatment plans, and improving patient outcomes at scale.

One of the most significant contributions of AI is in diagnostics. Google Health and its subsidiary DeepMind are prime examples of how AI can be used to outperform human experts in certain medical tasks.

For instance, DeepMind’s AI tools have demonstrated the ability to diagnose conditions like breast cancer and lung disease with remarkable accuracy, surpassing the abilities of human radiologists in some cases.

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Similarly, Philips has filed patents for AI systems capable of detecting neurodegenerative diseases and tracking disease progression using heart activity and motion sensors.

From diagnosis to documentation

These breakthroughs represent only a small part of how AI is revolutionising diagnostics by improving accuracy, reducing time to diagnosis, and potentially saving lives.

In addition to AI’s diagnostic capabilities, its impact extends to medical documentation, an often-overlooked area that affects clinician efficiency.

Traditionally, doctors spend a significant amount of time on paperwork, reducing the time they can spend with patients.

However, AI companies like Augmedix, DeepScribe, and Nabla are addressing this problem by offering solutions that generate clinical notes directly from doctor-patient conversations.

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These platforms integrate with electronic health record (EHR) systems and automate the note-taking process, which reduces administrative workload and frees up clinicians to focus on patient care.

Augmedix, for example, claims to save up to an hour per day for clinicians, while DeepScribe’s AI technology is reportedly more accurate than even GPT-4 for clinical documentation.

Nabla takes this further by offering AI-driven chatbots and decision support tools that enhance clinical workflows and reduce physician burnout.

Portable ultrasounds powered by AI

AI is also transforming medical imaging, a field traditionally dependent on expensive, bulky equipment that requires specialised training.

Innovators like Butterfly Network are developing portable, AI-powered ultrasound devices that can provide diagnostic capabilities at a fraction of the cost of traditional equipment. These devices offer greater accessibility, particularly in regions with limited access to medical imaging technology.

The ability to perform ultrasounds and MRIs in remote areas, using portable devices powered by AI, is democratising healthcare and enabling better diagnostic capabilities in underserved regions.

An advanced drug discovery

In the realm of drug discovery and treatment personalisation, AI is making significant strides. Companies like IBM Watson are at the forefront of using AI to personalise treatment plans by analysing vast amounts of patient data, including medical histories, genetic information, and lifestyle factors.

IBM Watson has been particularly instrumental in the field of oncology, where it assists physicians by recommending tailored cancer treatment protocols.

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A capability like this is made possible by the vast amounts of medical data Watson processes to identify the best treatment options for individual patients, ensuring that therapies are more effective by considering each patient’s unique characteristics.

Smart automation in healthcare

Furthermore, AI is streamlining administrative tasks within healthcare systems, which often burden healthcare providers with repetitive, time-consuming tasks like appointment scheduling, records management, and insurance verification.

By automating these tasks, AI allows healthcare providers to focus more on delivering high-quality care to patients.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), for example, is leveraging its cloud platform to develop machine learning tools that assist healthcare providers in making more effective clinical decisions while improving operational efficiency.

It includes using AI to enhance clinical decision-making, predict patient outcomes, and manage the growing volume of patient data that healthcare systems must process.

Startups and giants drive the healthcare race

Alongside the tech giants, AI-driven startups are also playing a pivotal role in healthcare innovation. Tempus, for example, is integrating genomic sequencing with AI to provide physicians with actionable insights that improve patient outcomes, particularly in cancer treatment.

The fusion of data from multiple sources is enhancing the precision and effectiveness of medical decisions. Zebra Medical Vision, another AI-driven company, is using AI to analyse medical imaging data and detect a wide range of conditions, from liver disease to breast cancer.

Zebra’s AI algorithms are designed to identify conditions often before symptoms even appear, which greatly improves the chances of successful treatment through early detection.

Tech giants are deeply embedded in the healthcare ecosystem, using their advanced capabilities in cloud computing, AI, and data analytics to reshape the industry.

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Microsoft, for example, has made significant strides in AI for accessibility, focusing on creating healthcare solutions that empower individuals with disabilities. Their work is helping to make healthcare more inclusive and accessible for a broader population.

Amazon’s AWS cloud platform is another example of how Big Tech is leveraging its infrastructure to develop machine learning tools that support healthcare providers in delivering more effective care.

M&A meets medicine

In addition to developing their own AI tools, these tech giants have made several high-profile acquisitions to accelerate their healthcare strategies.

Google’s acquisition of Fitbit, Amazon’s purchase of PillPack and One Medical, and Microsoft’s $19.7 billion acquisition of Nuance are all clear examples of how Big Tech is seeking to integrate AI into every aspect of the healthcare value chain, from drug discovery to clinical delivery.

These acquisitions and partnerships also enable tech giants to tap into new areas of the healthcare market and provide more comprehensive, end-to-end solutions to healthcare providers and patients alike.

Smart devices empower health

Consumer health technologies have also surged in popularity, thanks to the broader trend of digital health and wellness tools. Fitness trackers, smartwatches, and mobile health apps allow users to monitor everything from heart rates to sleep quality.

Devices like the Apple Watch and Google’s Fitbit collect health data continuously, providing users with personalised insights into their well-being.

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Instead of being isolated within individual devices, the data is increasingly being integrated into broader healthcare systems, enabling doctors and other healthcare providers to have a more complete view of a patient’s health.

This integration has also supported the growth of telehealth services, with millions of people now opting for virtual consultations powered by Big Tech infrastructure and AI-powered triage tools.

Chinese hospitals embrace generative AI

The rise of generative AI is also transforming healthcare, particularly in countries like China, where technology is advancing rapidly. Once considered a distant ambition, the use of generative AI in healthcare is now being implemented at scale.

The technology is being used to manage massive drug libraries, assist with complex diagnoses, and replicate expert reasoning processes, which helps doctors make more informed decisions.

At Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ant Group’s medical model has impressed staff by offering diagnostic suggestions and replicating expert reasoning, streamlining consultations without replacing human doctors.

Our choice in a tech-driven world

As AI continues to evolve, tech giants are likely to continue disrupting the healthcare industry while also collaborating with traditional healthcare providers.

While some traditional life sciences companies may feel threatened by the rise of Big Tech in healthcare, those that embrace AI and form partnerships with tech companies will likely be better positioned for success.

The convergence of AI and healthcare is already reshaping the future of medicine, and traditional healthcare players must adapt or risk being left behind.

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Despite the tremendous momentum, there are challenges that need to be addressed. Data privacy, regulatory concerns, and the growing dominance of Big Tech in healthcare remain significant hurdles.

If these challenges are addressed responsibly, however, the integration of AI into healthcare could modernise care delivery on a global scale.

Rather than replacing doctors, the goal is to empower them with better tools, insights, and outcomes. The future of healthcare is one where technology and human expertise work in tandem, enhancing the patient experience and improving overall health outcomes.

As human beings, we must understand that the integration of technology across multiple sectors is a double-edged sword. It can either benefit us and help build better future societies, or mark the beginning of our downfall— but in the end, the choice will always be ours.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!


Once hailed as the future of financial freedom, Bitcoin now finds itself swayed by political power, elite influence, and media manipulation, raising urgent questions about whether the revolution has become the very system it sought to escape.

Bitcoin was once seen as the cornerstone of a financial utopia — immune to political control, free from traditional banking systems, and governed solely by blockchain protocols. For a while, that dream felt real, and we lived it.

Today, things have changed. The whole crypto market has become increasingly sensitive to political influence, the actions of crypto whales, and rising global tensions.

While financial markets are expected to respond to global developments, Bitcoin’s price volatility has started to reflect something more concerning. Instead of being driven primarily by innovation or organic adoption, BTC price movements are increasingly shaped by media exposure and the strategic trades by influential figures.

In this shifting ecosystem, manipulation and concentrated influence are gradually undermining the core ideals of decentralisation and financial autonomy. Is this really the revolution we were promised? 

Trump’s family growing grip on the crypto market

Donald Trump has not always been a crypto fan. Once critical of Bitcoin, he is now positioning himself as a pro-crypto leader. It is a shift driven by opportunity — not just political, but financial. Trump understands that supporting digital assets could help the USA become a global crypto hub. But it also aligns perfectly with his reputation as a businessman first, politician second. 

The issue lies in the outsized influence his words now have in the crypto space. A single post on social media like X or Truth can send Bitcoin’s price up or down. Whether he is praising crypto or denying personal gain, the market reacts instantly. 

His sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are also active — often promoting the narrative that banks are obsolete and crypto is the future. They frequently make suggestive remarks about market trends. At times, they even imply where investors should put their money — all while staying within legal limits. Still, this pattern subtly steers market sentiment, raising concerns about coordinated influence and the deliberate shaping of market trends.

The launch of politically themed meme coins like $TRUMP and $MELANIA added fuel to the fire. These coins sparked massive rallies — and equally dramatic crashes. In fact, Bitcoin’s all-time high was followed by a sharp fall, partially triggered by the hype and eventual dump around these tokens.

Investigations now suggest insider activity. One wallet made $39 million in just 12 hours after buying $MELANIA before it was even announced. Meanwhile, $TRUMP coin insiders moved $4.6 million in USDC right before the major token unlock.

While technically legal, these actions raise serious ethical concerns. Also, 80% of its supply is controlled by insiders — including Donald Trump himself. It points to a clear pattern of influence, where strategic actions are being used to shape market movements and drive profits for a select few.

What we are seeing is the unprecedented impact of a single family. The combination of political clout and financial ambition is reshaping crypto sentiment, and Bitcoin is reflecting the shift as well. It is no longer subtle — and it is certainly troubling. Crypto is supposed to be free from central influence — yet right now, it bends under the weight of a single name.

Whales and the Michael Saylor effect 

Beyond politics, crypto whales are playing their part in manipulating Bitcoin’s movements. They can cause major price swings by buying or selling in bulk. 

One of the most influential is Michael Saylor, co-founder of Strategy. His company holds approximately 555,450 BTC and is still buying. Every time he announces a new purchase, Bitcoin prices spike. Traders monitor his every move — his tweets are treated like trading signals. 

But Saylor has bigger plans. He once said he could become a Bitcoin bank — a statement that sparked backlash. What is particularly striking is that a businessman who has supported Bitcoin’s decentralised nature from the beginning is now acting in ways that appear to contradict it. Bitcoin was designed to avoid central control — not to be dominated by one player, no matter how bullish. When too much BTC ends up concentrated in one place, the autonomous promise begins to crack. 

Market trust is shifting from code to individuals — and that is risky.

Global tensions as a Bitcoin barometer

Bitcoin does not just respond to tweets anymore. Global tensions have made it a geopolitical asset — a barometer of financial anxiety. 

Recent US tariffs, particularly on Chinese mining equipment, have raised mining costs. Tariffs also disrupted the supply chain for mining rigs, slowing down expansion and affecting hash rates.

At the same time, when the US exempted tech products like iPhones and laptops from tariffs, Bitcoin surged — reaching $86,000. It shows how trade policy and tech pressure are now directly linked to Bitcoin price action. 

Yet, there always seems to be a push-and-pull dynamic at play — not necessarily coordinated, but clearly driven by short-term momentum and opportunistic interests.

It is where irony lies — Bitcoin was built to be apolitical. But today, it is tightly tied to global politics. Its price now swings in response to elections, sanctions, and international conflicts — the very forces it was meant to bypass. What was once a decentralised alternative to traditional finance is becoming a mirror of the same systems it sought to disrupt. 

Bitcoin: from decentralised dream to politically-driven reality 

Bitcoin is no longer moved by natural market fundamentals alone. It dances to the tune of political tweets, whale decisions, and global conflicts. A decentralised dream now faces a centralised reality.

It all started when governments and financial institutions began taking an active interest in Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market. While mainstream adoption was essential for legitimising digital assets, that level of attention came with strings attached — most notably, external influence.

What was once an alternative movement powered by decentralised ideals has gradually attracted the gaze of political leaders, regulators, and corporate giants. The tale of two sides of the sword: the promise of legitimacy, tempered by the risk of losing the system’s independence. 

In this environment, the absence of central control and the self-governing nature of the system are becoming increasingly symbolic. The market reacts not just to algorithms or adoption metrics, but also to the opinions and actions of a powerful few — raising concerns about market manipulation, unequal access, and the long-term health of crypto’s founding vision. Is that really a non-centralised structure?

Crypto was meant to free us from financial gatekeepers. But if Bitcoin can be shaken by one man’s post on a social network, we must ask: can it still considered free? 

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!


From liquid robots to mind-controlled speech, these inventions are challenging our understanding of what’s real and what’s science fiction.

The rapid progress of AI over the past few years has unsettled the global population, reaching a point where it is extremely difficult to say with certainty whether certain content has been created by AI or not.

We are confronted with this phenomenon through photos, video and audio recordings that can easily confuse us and force us to question our perception of reality.

Digital twins are being used by scammers in the crypto space to impersonate influencers and execute fraudulent schemes.

And while the public often focuses on deepfakes, at the same time we are witnessing inventions and patents emerging around the world that deserve admiration, but also spark important reflection: are we nearing, or have we already crossed, the ethical red line?

For these and many other reasons, in a world where the visual and functional differences between science fiction and reality have almost disappeared, the latest inventions come as a shock.

We are now at a point where we are facing technologies that force us to redefine what we mean by the word ‘reality’.

Neuralink: Crossing the boundary between brain and machine

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurological disease caused by damage and degeneration of motor neurons—nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This damage disrupts the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles via peripheral nerves, leading to a progressive loss of muscle function.

However, the Neuralink chip, developed by Elon Musk’s company, has helped one patient type with their mind and speak using their voice. This breakthrough opens the door to a new form of communication where thoughts become direct interactions.

Liquid robot from South Korea

Scenes from sci-fi films are becoming reality, and in this case (thankfully), a liquid robot has a noble purpose—to assist in rescue missions and be applied in medicine.

Currently in the early prototype stage, it has been demonstrated in labs through a collaboration between MIT and Korean research institutes.

ULS exoskeleton as support for elderly care

Healthcare workers and caregivers in China have had their work greatly simplified thanks to the ULS Robotics exoskeleton, weighing only five kilograms but enabling users to lift up to 30 kilograms.

This represents a leap forward in caring for people with limited mobility, while also increasing safety and efficiency. Commercial prototypes have been tested in hospitals and industrial environments.

Agrorobots: Autonomous crop spraying

Another example from China that has been in use for several years. Robots equipped with AI perform precise crop spraying. The system analyses pests and targets them without the need for human presence, reducing potential health risks.

The application has become standardised, with expectations for further expansion and improvement in the near future.

The stretchable battery of the future

Researchers in Sweden have developed a flexible battery that can double in length without losing energy, making it ideal for wearable technologies.

Although not yet commercially available, it has been covered in scientific journals. The aim is for it to become a key component in bendable devices, smart clothing and medical implants.

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Volonaut Airbike: A sci-fi vehicle takes off

When it comes to innovation, the Volonaut Airbike hits the mark perfectly. Designed to resemble a single-seat speeder bike from Star Wars, it represents a giant leap toward personal air travel.

Functional prototypes exist, but testing remains limited due to high production costs and regulatory hurdles related to traffic laws. Nevertheless, the Polish company behind it remains committed to this idea, and it will be exciting to follow its progress.

NEO robot: The humanoid household assistant

A Norwegian company has been developing a humanoid robot capable of performing household tasks, including gardening chores like collecting and bagging leaves or grass.

These are among the first serious steps toward domestic humanoid assistants. Currently functioning in demo mode, the robot has received backing from OpenAI.

Lenovo Yoga Solar: The laptop that loves sunlight

If you find yourself without a charger but with access to direct sunlight, this laptop will do everything it can to keep you powered. Using solar energy, 20 minutes of charging in sunlight provides around one hour of video playback.

Perfect for ecologists and digital nomads. Although not yet commercially available, it has been showcased at several major tech expos.

What comes next: The need for smart regulation

As technology races ahead, regulation must catch up. From neurotech to autonomous robots, each innovation raises new questions about privacy, accountability, and ethics.

Governments and tech developers alike must collaborate to ensure that these inventions remain tools for good, not risks to society.

So, what is real and what is generated?

This question will only become harder to answer as time goes on. But on the other hand, if the technological revolution continues to head in a useful and positive direction, perhaps there is little to fear.

The true dilemma in this era of rapid innovation may not be about the tools themselves, but about the fundamental question: Is technology shaping us, or do we still shape it?

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!


DW Weekly #214 – The EU tightens its grip on digital governance, Crypto landscape, Last week in Geneva

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23 – 30 May 2025


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Dear readers,

In the past week, the EU has tightened its grip on digital governance, with robust policy implementation to shape a safer, fairer online landscape. 

The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) drew praise and critique at a Brussels workshop, hailed as a model for digital governance. Its risk-based approach pushes platforms to tackle systemic risks, inspiring global adoption while facing calls for greater transparency. 

European monitoring institutions are cracking down on adult sites like Pornhub for failing to protect minors, targeting DSA violations—plans for EU-wide age verification by 2026 signal tougher online safety rules.

The EU extended the deadline for the Radio Equipment Directive, giving wireless device makers more time to meet strict cybersecurity standards, thereby bolstering digital safety amid rising cyber threats.

EU lawmakers are also investigating Italy’s surveillance practices to safeguard privacy and human rights. The probe highlights security and data protection tensions in EU digital policy.

Among other legal actions, the EU has called out Shein for fake discounts and misleading labels, demanding DSA compliance within a month. The crackdown underscores the EU’s push for transparency in e-commerce.

Furthermore, the UK and the EU have agreed to step up cooperation on cybersecurity as part of a wider defence and security pact.

Still concerning the EU, US President Donald Trump has agreed to delay a planned 50% tariff on EU imports. The new deadline has now been set for 9 July 2025, following a request from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Crypto landscape: This week has seen crypto again at the centre of digital disruption. The UK has surged ahead in 2025 as the global leader in crypto adoption, with a remarkable 24% growth, but can enthusiasm outpace regulation? Meanwhile, El Salvador has made headlines by quietly dropping its mandate requiring businesses to accept Bitcoin, signalling a major policy reversal from its crypto-pioneering days. At the same time, AI agents are emerging as a new threat to blockchain security, with their autonomous capabilities posing unpredictable risks to smart contracts and wallets.

Europe and Japan power up the quantum race

May brought quantum computing back into the spotlight as both Europe and Asia made bold moves. French startup Quandela unveiled Belenos, a 12-qubit quantum computer available via the cloud—positioning Europe as a serious contender in the quantum hardware arena. Not to be outdone, Japan launched ABCI-Q, its new quantum platform, backed by increased national investment to accelerate research and industrial adoption. 

Last week in Geneva

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This Wednesday, 28 May, Diplo and the Geneva Internet Platform hosted a briefing for tech attaches exploring the interplay between the UN80 Initiative, UN processes on digital governance, and AI. Launched by the UN Secretary-General, the UN80 Initiative seeks to enhance efficiency in the UN system, review UN mandates, and explore structural reforms across the UN system. Our event, led by Diplo’s Executive Director Jovan Kurbalija and Diplo’s Director of Knowledge Sorina Teleanu, explored the implications that the UN80 Initiative might have for digital governance processes across the UN and its specialised agencies, including in Geneva. As current debates on UN reform include key terms such as integration, consolidation, and coordination, questions were asked about what these might mean for the digital governance architecture within the UN. There were also discussions on whether AI could play a role in making the UN ‘stronger and more effective’, and what key elements would need to be considered to ensure that AI is leveraged in line with core UN principles (e.g. impartiality, inclusivity).

Also on Wednesday, the UNHCR, UNDP, IOM, UNICC, and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland hosted the official launch of the Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. This high-level event brought together experts from the humanitarian, government, technology, and private sectors to explore how digital innovation is reshaping the future of aid delivery. Discussions highlighted the transformative role of AI, blockchain, and emerging technologies in humanitarian operations and Switzerland’s unique position at the intersection of financial innovation and humanitarian fundraising. New opportunities for collaboration through the UN Financial Gateway were also presented.

Yesterday, 29 May, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) High-Level Event 2025 agenda was made available. The agenda reflects the outcomes of an inclusive Open Consultation Process and features a diverse range of high-level dialogues, interactive sessions, and special tracks aligned with the WSIS Action Lines and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A Final brief on the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 was also announced. The event will foster open dialogue, encourage active stakeholder engagement, and support continued progress toward the High-Level Event. The WSIS Prizes 2025 Champions were also announced, showcasing a remarkable selection of digital solutions driving sustainable development around the world.

In case you missed it

In case you missed it, the GIP reported from the West African IGF 2025, held last week. The West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF) is a regional initiative that brings together various stakeholders to discuss and address internet-related issues in West Africa.

Events ahead

Looking ahead, several key events are on the horizon. An online discussion titled ‘Introducing the WSIS+20 for the Asia Pacific Internet Community’ will feature Diplo’s Director of Knowledge, Sorina Teleanu, on 3 June. Paris will host the Paris Cyber Summit 2025 from 2 to 5 June. The UNESCO Conference on Capacity Building on AI and Digital Transformation in the Public Sector will be held from 4 to 5 June in Paris and online. In Geneva, the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), convened by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), will take place from 2 to 13 June 2025 at the Palais des Nations and ILO headquarters to deliberate on pressing global labour issues. The Giga Research Lab, together with Giga and the Geneva Innovation Movement, will host an event on 5 June on Giga premises, titled Bridging the Digital Divide: Cross-Sector Insights for Scaling School Connectivity, for invited guests. On the same day, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) will hold a webinar to launch the fourth edition of the landmark report, Greening Digital Companies: Monitoring Emissions and Climate Commitments 2025.

For the main updates, reflections and events, consult the RADAR, the READING CORNER and the UPCOMING EVENTS section below.

DW Team


RADAR

Highlights from the week of 23 – 30 May 2025

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The US is increasing export controls on advanced AI chips to limit China’s technological and military progress.

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Texas may soon ban social media for users under 18, with age verification and parental account deletion rights proposed.

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China said that Taiwan hackers attacked military and government systems, but Taipei insists the allegations are designed to destabilise its institutions.

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A new agreement commits the UK and EU to joint action on cyber resilience, disinformation, and digital crisis management.

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As AI transforms into a deeply personalised digital companion, the line between convenience and surveillance becomes increasingly blurred.

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The government plans to build a long-term Bitcoin reserve, holding the asset indefinitely to support a wider digital finance strategy.

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As global tech rivalries intensify, Nvidia’s latest warning reveals how US policies may accelerate the competition they aim to contain.

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Experts say AI already harms the vulnerable and marginalised, urging Croatia to adopt stricter rules instead of copying the EU Act without deeper protections.

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The EU’s digital rulebook is being blamed unfairly, says Henna Virkkunen, who points out that Meta and X remove more content under their own terms than EU law requires.

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The UK’s Ministry of Defence plans to establish a Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, drawing on lessons from Ukraine to bolster digital warfare and accelerate specialist cyber training.

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The Czech Republic blames China-linked hacking group for a breach on its foreign ministry network. China has dismissed allegations but NATO, the EU and the US stand behind Prague.


READING CORNER
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Empowering communities through bottom-up AI: The example of ThutoHealth In Botswana, a silent epidemic claims nearly half of all lives. Hypertension,

BLOG featured image 2025 71 Climate diplomacy blog

As the planet warms, power dynamics shift, unlocking new frontiers, deepening old conflicts, and forcing global diplomacy to reckon with the existential stakes of climate change.

DIPLO BLOGS generic

What is it like to be a goshawk? Helen Macdonald sought to find out – not through theory, but through experience. Her book, H is for Hawk, is not just about falconry – it’s about patience, attention, and connection. Aldo Matteucci writes.

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AI is reshaping how stories are told in film, games, and music, raising questions about authorship, ethics, and artistic identity.

UPCOMING EVENTS
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03 June 2025

Introducing the WSIS+20 for the Asia Pacific Internet Community On 3 June 2025, Sorina Teleanu, Diplo’s Director of Knowledge, will participate in an online

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4 Jun 2025 – 5 Jun 2025

The Forum will bring together high-level government representatives, UN leaders, academics, innovators, and capacity-building institutions to chart a practical course for strengthening public sector readiness in the digital age.

Paris Cyber Summit logo
2 Jun 2025 – 4 Jun 2025

The event will bring together global leaders, policymakers, and cybersecurity experts to address the evolving landscape of digital threats and defences.

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2 Jun 2025 – 13 Jun 2025

This annual event brings together government, employer, and worker delegates from ILO’s member states to deliberate on pressing global labour issues.

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5 Jun 2025, 17:30h – 20:30h

Giga, the University of Geneva, and the Geneva Innovation Movement will host a cross-sector event on 5 June 2025 in Geneva to explore strategies for scaling school connectivity.

ITU Greening Digital Companies
5 Jun 2025, 09:00h – 19:15h

The event will serve as the official launch of the joint ITU-WBA report ‘Greening Digital Companies: Monitoring Emissions and Climate Commitments 2025’.

IGF2025
23 Jun 2025 – 27 Jun 2025
The Government of Norway will host the 20th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrøm from 23 to 27 June 2025.
IGF 2025

23 June 2025 – 27 June 2025

Diplo/GIP at IGF 2025 The 20th annual meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be hosted by the Government of Norway in Lillestrøm from 23 to

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24 Jun 2025 – 27 Jun 2025
Thailand will host the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence from 24 to 27 June 2025.

DW Weekly #213 – The UAE’s AI campus | Cybersecurity’s turbulent sea | The race for space, quantum, and supercomputing

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16 – 23 May 2025


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Dear readers,

The UAE is going to have ‘the world’s largest AI campus outside the USA

In the past week, we have seen the United Arab Emirates surging to the forefront of the global AI and infrastructure race, with announcements such as the world’s largest AI campus outside the USA, a 10-square-mile, 5-gigawatt facility in Abu Dhabi led by G42, backed by a $200 billion deal sealed during President Trump’s Gulf tour as part of the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership.

Further amplifying this momentum, G42 and OpenAI are collaborating on the Stargate Initiative, a massive AI data facility. At the same time, du and Microsoft have launched a $544 million AI data centre to boost regional computing power. Meanwhile, the UAE’s EDGE Group unveiled an AI accelerator to advance defence and technology innovation.

Additionally, the UAE is opening to cryptocurrency, as Ripple has introduced cross-border blockchain payments in the United Arab Emirates, aiming to boost cryptocurrency adoption in the region.

Navigating cybersecurity’s turbulent sea

The cybersecurity landscape resembled a turbulent sea in the week behind us, with threats and policy shifts challenging AI governance and digital policy worldwide. Japan has taken a bold step forward, enacting its Active Cyberdefence Law to allow preemptive offensive cyber operations, marking a historic shift from its pacifist stance to counter escalating threats from state-sponsored actors. 

Across the Pacific, US lawmakers are grappling with a reported one-day pause in offensive cyber operations against Russia, raising questions about strategic shifts in digital warfare amid geopolitical tensions. 

In Europe, the Netherlands has expanded its espionage laws to include cyber activities, imposing up to 12 years in prison for digital spying, reflecting a broader push to secure critical infrastructure. 

Adding to the turmoil, Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, suffered a cyberattack costing up to $400 million, underscoring vulnerabilities in the private sector’s digital defences.

 Electrical Device, Solar Panels, Astronomy, Outer Space, Satellite

The race for space, quantum, and supercomputing

The global race for dominance in space, quantum, and supercomputing is accelerating. China is leading the charge with the launch of its first AI-powered satellites, forming an orbital supercomputer network designed to process vast datasets in space, bolstering its strategic edge in AI-driven defence and communications. 

Meanwhile, Taiwan is intensifying its terrestrial efforts, unveiling a new NVIDIA-powered supercomputer to enhance its AI capabilities, confirming itself as a key player in the global tech supply chain amid rising geopolitical tensions. 

On the quantum frontier, Google’s breakthrough with a new quantum chip, capable of simulating complex systems and hinting at multiverse-like computational possibilities, is a new transformative potential of quantum computing for AI innovation.

Digital policy highlights

The European Commission is taking significant steps to create a safer online environment for children by introducing draft guidelines under the Digital Services Act.

President Donald Trump is expected to sign the Take It Down Act, which will criminalise the sharing of explicit images, whether real or AI-generated, without consent.

The UK government has suffered a second defeat in the House of Lords over its Data (Use and Access) Bill, as peers once again backed a copyright-focused amendment to protect artists from AI content scraping.

Russia’s Ministry of Justice is working on legislation that would classify crypto assets as property, enabling their confiscation during criminal investigations.

Event reminder:

If you are based in Geneva, today, 23 May, is the last day to register for the luncheon debate with Doreen Bogdan Martin, Secretary-General of ITU hosted by FSPI, which will be held on Monday, 26 May. Overlapping with the luncheon is ILO’s webinar officially launching a new guide on the digitalisation and blending of training programmes. Monday also marks the start of the next TSAG meeting in Geneva, which will wrap up on Friday, 30 May.

Nestled in the middle of the week, on Wednesday, 28 May, is our briefing for diplomats on the UN80 Initiative, AI, and digital governance (for inquiries, contact us at geneva@diplomacy.edu.) Later in the day, UNHCR, UNDP, IOM, UNICC and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland will officially launch the Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS) during an event where participants will discuss how digital innovation is reshaping the future of aid delivery.

For the main updates, reflections and events, consult the RADAR, the READING CORNER and the UPCOMING EVENTS section below.

DW Team


RADAR

Highlights from the week of 16 – 23 May 2025

bitcoin coin closeup black background background with cryptocurrency

Investors are shifting into Bitcoin as long-term bonds lose their appeal as traditional safe havens.

brics 70 natios

Trade Ministers of the BRICS approved the Data Economy Governance Understanding, aiming to promote a fair data economy among BRICS nations and establishing a roadmap.

european union eu flag

The firm acquired Cyprus-based A.N. Allnew Investments to gain regulatory approval and expand its reach under the EU’s financial regulations.

Google US Department of justice Trump Antitrust Chrome

The lawsuit alleges an AI chatbot manipulated a vulnerable teen by acting as a therapist and romantic partner before he died by suicide in February 2024.

africa on the globe map

Horizon Europe backs African innovation and health projects

hands waving flags pakistan

Finance officials say the new authority will help Pakistan lead the global blockchain race.

Pavel Durov Telegram

France denies accusations that it tried to pressure Telegram into political censorship.

researchers validate quantum mimicry of organic molecules

Ion-based simulation offers a scalable quantum chemistry breakthrough.

us capitol building washington dc

The Senate has advanced the GENIUS Act after reaching a bipartisan deal on new stablecoin rules.

coinbase cryptocurrency US SEC SP 500

Coinbase declines ransom, offers $20 million reward for information on hackers.

closeup shot of the waving flag of the united nations with interesting

Recently, 96 countries met at the UN to discuss AI-powered weapons, expanding the conversation to include human rights, criminal law, and ethics, with a push for legally binding agreements by 2026.


READING CORNER
blog diplomatic theory

Diplomatic theory says: follow orders. Practice shows: shape reality. Between theory and practice lies the diplomat’s quiet craft. Aldo Matteucci asks if theory can catch up.

DIPLO BLOGS generic

What does ‘compromise’ truly mean, and why does the word so often carry negative connotations?

caregiver robot

AI-powered tools from Google, IBM, and startups improve diagnostics, clinical documentation, and patient care, reducing clinician workloads and enhancing healthcare outcomes worldwide.

BLOG featured image 2025 72

The Vatican’s potential role in mediating peace between Russia and Ukraine highlights its historical significance in diplomacy. Amid today’s geopolitical complexities, Pope Leo XIV’s initiative, alongside the Community of Sant’Egidio’s proven mediation successes, embodies the Vatican’s unique moral authority.

UPCOMING EVENTS
FORUM SUISSE DE POLITIQUE INTERNATIONALE
26 May 2025, 11:45h – 14:00h

The event’s theme will be ‘Bridging the Digital Divide in the AI Era’.

ILO
26 May 2025, 13:00h – 14:00h

The International Labour Organization (ILO) will host an online presentation to launch a new practical guide on the digitalisation and blending of training programmes, on 25 May 2025.

ITU
26 May 2025 – 30 May 2025

The International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) will hold its first meeting of the 2025–2028 study period from 26 to 30 May 2025 at ITU headquarters in Geneva.

CYCON 2025
27 May 2025 – 30 May 2025

The 17th International Conference on Cyber Conflict (CyCon 2025), organised by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), will take place from 27 to 30 May 2025.

IGF Brazil 2025
27 May 2025 – 30 May 2025

The 15th edition of IGF Brazil (Fórum da Internet no Brasil (FIB15)) will take place from 26 to 30 May, 2025, at the Fiesta Bahia Hotel in Salvador, Bahia.

Geneva Internet Platform 2 2
28 May 2025

The International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) will hold its first meeting of the 2025–2028 study period from 26 to 30 May 2025 at ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Flag United Nations
28 May 2025, 14:00h – 17:00h

The official launch of the Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS) will occur on 28 May 2025.

IGF2025
23 Jun 2025 – 27 Jun 2025
The Government of Norway will host the 20th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrøm from 23 to 27 June 2025.
UNESCO logu blue background
24 Jun 2025 – 27 Jun 2025
Thailand will host the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence from 24 to 27 June 2025.

DW Weekly #212 – EuroDIG 2025: the takeaways, UNGA reassesses terms for AI governance | EU and the cyberdefence policy

 Logo, Text

9 – 16 May 2025


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Dear readers,

In the week behind us, Diplo followed the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG 2025), with just-in-time reporting on this pivotal multistakeholder platform that fosters open dialogue on the future of digital governance. Organised by the Council of Europe in collaboration with the Luxembourg Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, the event convened stakeholders from governments, civil society, the private sector, and technical communities under the theme ‘Safeguarding Human Rights by Balancing Regulation and Innovation’. 

Held at the Palais de l’Europe, EuroDIG 2025 featured a dynamic programme of main sessions, eleven workshops, and eight flash sessions, addressing pressing issues in internet governance while emphasising inclusivity, emerging technologies, and multilateral cooperation.

The workshops and flash sessions delved into cutting-edge topics such as digital sovereignty, quantum computing, and digital inclusion. The workshop on ‘The Interplay Between Digital Sovereignty and Development,’ for example, proposed a balanced approach to national control over digital infrastructure, advocating for policies that promote local innovation while maintaining global interoperability. Quantum computing discussions highlighted the need for preemptive governance frameworks to address its disruptive potential in cryptography and data security. Digital inclusion sessions called for targeted investments in digital literacy programmes to bridge access gaps, particularly in underserved regions.

Key propositions, such as ethical frameworks for neurotechnology, privacy-preserving age assurance, and sustainable AI metrics, offer actionable pathways to address current challenges. 

The emphasis on youth engagement through YOUthDIG and the call for transatlantic cooperation signal a forward-looking approach to digital policy.

With such conclusions, EuroDIG 2025 is reinforcing Europe’s leadership in shaping digital governance through collaborative, inclusive dialogue. As usual, the event’s consensus-based outcomes or key takeaways compiled from the discussions, workshops, and main sessions will feed into the global IGF 2025, influencing international policy. 

Other highlights of the week:

The EU Council has extended its sanctions on cyberattacks until 18 May 2026, with the legal framework for enforcing these measures now lasting until 2028. The sanctions target individuals and institutions involved in cyberattacks that pose a significant threat to the EU and its members.

On 15 May 2025, a revised draft UNGA resolution outlined updated terms for the Scientific Panel on AI and Global Dialogue on AI Governance. The Panel, comprising 40 members appointed for a 3-year term, will deliver annual policy-relevant AI assessments.

Amazon has announced a new partnership with Humain, an AI company launched by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to invest over $5 billion in creating an ‘AI Zone’ in the kingdom.

Two US senators, Cynthia Lummis and Bernie Moreno, are urging US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to revise how corporate digital assets are taxed. They have proposed a change to the definition of ‘adjusted financial statement income’ under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Chinese start-up AgiBot is leading the charge in humanoid robotics, using data-intensive training to develop machines capable of everyday tasks like folding clothes and making sandwiches.

For the main updates and reflections, consult the Radar and Reading Corner below.

DW Team


RADAR

Highlights from the week of 9 – 16 May 2025

UNHQ

As negotiations advance among UN General Assembly members in New York, a revised draft resolution (rev1) has been issued.

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In response to rising cyber threats, the EU has prolonged its legal authority to sanction attackers for another three years.

google mobile application smart phone screen

The familiar Google ‘G’ has a new look, blending its classic colours with subtle gradients instead of the solid segments used since 2015.

china advancements in quantum technology

China is investing billions in quantum technology, outpacing the West and increasing the urgency of cryptographic reform.

trump

His memecoin profits and potential conflict of interest have caused gridlock in Congress, delaying key legislation.

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As the battle over AI and copyright intensifies, Britain’s most celebrated artists are drawing a line to protect the future of human creativity.

ai chip tracking for national security

New US legislation targets chip smuggling and aims to safeguard the country’s tech leadership.

OpenAI Sam Altman PBC for profit transition

Critics welcome OpenAI’s compromise but raise questions about long-term governance and ownership.

crypto 7585234 1280

The exchange plans to launch perpetual futures and other derivatives for advanced traders in Europe following its latest regulatory milestone.

scotland 4970689 1280

Authorities confirmed no data was stolen in the phishing incident affecting Edinburgh schools.

agentic ai automation in businesses

UiPath and other leaders say agentic automation enables problem-solving beyond the limits of traditional automation.


READING CORNER
SL 0212121 40670 20

Once hailed as the future of financial freedom, Bitcoin now finds itself swayed by political power, elite influence, and media manipulation — raising urgent questions about whether the revolution has…

blog When nature weeps

Humanity has the tools to prevent environmental collapse – but not the collective will. Water scarcity, unchecked pollution, and political inaction are pushing us toward crisis, writes Milan Jazbec.

BLOG featured image 2025 68 Geopolitics of the deep sea

Beneath the waves lies a geopolitical battleground over the future of critical minerals.

blog medical industrial

Why does healthcare cost so much, yet so often fail us at the end of life?

blog Part 1 An introduction to digital twins

When Spain & Portugal went dark, it wasn’t just lights that failed. It was a reminder: technology isn’t just a tool – it’s the system we live in.

BLOG featured 160 years of tech diplomacy at ITU

Over 160 years, ITU has maintained its mission to balance national sovereignty with shared connectivity amidst evolving technologies.

UPCOMING EVENTS
West Africa Internet Governance Forum WAIGF
19 May 2025 – 23 May 2025

The West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF) is a regional initiative that brings together various stakeholders to discuss and address internet-related issues in West Africa. It serves as a collaborative…

IGF2025
23 Jun 2025 – 27 Jun 2025

The Government of Norway will host the 20th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrøm from 23 to 27 June 2025.

UNESCO logu blue background
24 Jun 2025 – 27 Jun 2025

Thailand will host the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence from 24 to 27 June 2025.

Digital Watch Numéro 99 de la lettre d’information – avril 2025 en rétrospective

Rétrospective d’avril 2025

Chères lectrices,
Cher lecteurs,

Si mars a été « relativement calme », avril 2025 a été un mois marqué par des changements dans la gouvernance numérique et la dynamique diplomatique, des salles de réunion de Genève aux tribunaux de la Silicon Valley.

Au cours des 100 premiers jours de son second mandat, le président Donald Trump a suspendu le financement des Etats-Unis à l’ONU,  impactant des agences telles que l’OMC et l’OMS et provoquant une crise à Genève, avec la menace de pertes d’emplois imminentes parmi les travailleurs internationaux.

La politique technologique durant ces 100 jours s’est caractérisée par la continuité plutôt que par le changement, comme le décrit le Dr Jovan Kurbalija dans son blog « Continuité technologique lors des 100 premiers jours du président Trump », contrastant avec des bouleversements plus marqués en matière de commerce et d’environnement. La politique technologique de Trump a donné la priorité à la révision des politiques et aux consultations publiques sur l’IA et les questions numériques, signalant une évolution régulière plutôt qu’une disruption radicale. 

Les politiques tarifaires agressives du président Donald Trump, incluant un tarif d’importation de base de 10 % et allant jusqu’à 145 % pour certains produits chinois, ont considérablement perturbé le commerce mondial, entraînant des représailles de la part de  la Chine et provoquant une grande incertitude économique.

Les amendes de 700 millions d’euros infligées par l’UE à Apple et Méta en application de la loi sur les marchés numériques ont encore exacerbé les tensions transatlantiques, suscitant des menaces tarifaires de la part des États-Unis et mettant en évidence le rôle de la politique numérique en tant qu’outil géopolitique.

TikTok s’est vu infliger une amende de 530 millions d’euros (600 millions de dollars) par  la Data Protection Commission irlandaise (DPC) pour violation de la confidentialité des données impliquant le transfert d’informations d’utilisateurs vers la Chine. Les plateformes telles que X et TikTok font toujours l’objet d’une surveillance accrue en matière de modération des contenus et de protection des données.

Ci-dessous, nous analysons les tendances marquantes du mois d’avril, en établissant des liens entre les événements quotidiens et l’évolution numérique au sens large.


Tendances commerciales et impacts économiques

En avril 2025, les tensions commerciales et les répercussions économiques ont dominé le paysage numérique mondial, avec l’intensification de la guerre commerciale entre les États-Unis et la Chine sous l’effet des politiques tarifaires agressives du président Trump, incluant un droit d’importation de base de 10 % et jusqu’à 145 % sur certains produits chinois, perturbant considérablement le commerce mondial, provoquant des représailles de la part de la Chine et engendrant une grande incertitude économique. La suppression de l’exemption « de minimis » pour les importations de produits électroniques d’une valeur inférieure à 800 dollars a entraîné une forte augmentation des coûts pour les petites entreprises.

Comme le souligne le blog du Dr Jovan Kurbalija intitulé « Tech continuity in President Trump’s first 100 days » (La continuité technologique au cours des 100 premiers jours du président Trump), le programme « America First » de Trump a conduit à un retrait des institutions multilatérales telles que l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) et l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS), avec des répercussions en cascade sur l’emploi, la diplomatie et les cadres de gouvernance numérique que ces organismes soutiennent. Avec des milliers d’emplois menacés à Genève, épicentre de la santé, du commerce et de la diplomatie mondiale, ces coupes budgétaires ne constituent pas seulement un coup dur pour les finances publiques, elles annoncent un bouleversement profond dans la manière dont les politiques numériques sont élaborées et mises en œuvre dans un contexte géopolitique fracturé.

Diversification des chaînes d’approvisionnement face à l’incertitude économique

Les répercussions économiques des tensions commerciales ont entraîné d’importants changements dans les chaînes d’approvisionnement. Les contrôles à l’exportation imposés par les États-Unis sur les puces d’IA, coûtant 5,5 milliards de dollars à Nvidia, ont stimulé l’innovation chinoise, avec le lancement par des entreprises telles que DeepSeek de modèles d’IA multimodaux efficaces. Apple se prépare à assembler tous les iPhones vendus aux États-Unis en Inde d’ici l’année prochaine, avec pour objectif de produire plus de 60 millions d’unités par an dans ce pays d’ici 2026 pour contourner les tarifs douaniers américains, reflétant ainsi une tendance plus large à la diversification pour atténuer l’impact des droits de douane. Le secteur technologique a subi des pressions supplémentaires, Microsoft réduisant ses investissements dans les centres de données IA, adoptant une stratégie prudente face à la volatilité du commerce.

Influence géopolitique grâce aux politiques commerciales numériques

Le président Donald Trump a indiqué qu’il prolongerait le délai accordé à la société chinoise ByteDance pour céder les activités américaines de TikTok si les négociations n’étaient pas terminées d’ici le 19 juin.

Tendances réglementaires et juridiques

Application rigoureuse de la loi européenne sur les services numériques (DSA) : l’UE a infligé ses premières amendes au titre de la loi sur les marchés numériques (DMA), visant Apple et Méta pour pratiques anticoncurrentielles. Apple a été condamnée à une amende de 500 millions d’euros pour avoir empêché les développeurs d’applications de rediriger les utilisateurs vers d’autres options d’achat en dehors de son App Store. Méta a été condamnée à une amende de 200 millions d’euros pour son modèle « consentir ou payer », exigeant des utilisateurs qu’ils acceptent la publicité personnalisée ou qu’ils paient pour une expérience sans publicité sur Facebook et Instagram. Ces sanctions, totalisant 700 millions d’euros, ont aggravé les tensions transatlantiques, suscitant des menaces de représailles tarifaires américaines, et soulignant la politique numérique comme levier géopolitique.

Les régulateurs européens font pression sur les géants de la technologie, Google (Alphabet) et X (Elon Musk) sont les prochains visés par les nouvelles règles strictes de l’UE. L’UE a finalisé une amende d’un milliard d’euros à l’encontre de X pour violation du DSA, exigeant des modifications de ses produits afin d’améliorer la modération des contenus. En outre, l’UE a demandé à X des informations supplémentaires sur ses ressources en matière de modération des contenus, reflétant une tendance à un renforcement de la surveillance réglementaire sur les plateformes pour garantir la conformité aux exigences de transparence et de gestion des risques.

Méta fait également face à de nouvelles poursuites judiciaires en France, où 67 médias représentant plus de 200 publications ont intenté un procès pour concurrence déloyale sur le marché de la publicité numérique. TikTok, de son côté, a écopé d’une amende de 530 millions d’euros (600 millions de dollars) par la DPC irlandaise pour des transferts de données d’utilisateurs vers la Chine en violation des règles de confidentialité.

Malgré les objections du président Donald Trump, l’UE ne semble pas reculer, considérant le DMA comme une forme de « tarif déguisé » sur les entreprises technologiques américaines.

Pendant ce temps, aux États-Unis : le procès antitrust contre Google se poursuit le ministère américain de la Justice (DOJ) a ajouté l’accusation de monopole dans le domaine de la recherche basée sur l’IA à son dossier judiciaire. Le DOJ a en effet présenté ses premiers arguments dans ce procès très attendu contre Google, visant à limiter la domination du géant technologique dans le domaine de la recherche en ligne et à l’empêcher d’utiliser l’IA pour consolider davantage sa position. Parallèlement, la Commission fédérale du commerce a engagé une procédure contre Méta, contestant ses acquisitions d’Instagram et de WhatsApp.Tendance IA et recherche en ligne  : les géants de la technologie ont révolutionné la recherche en ligne en introduisant des moteurs alimentés par l’IA, transformant ainsi la manière dont les utilisateurs naviguent dans l’univers numérique. Google et Microsoft ont intégré des fonctionnalités avancées : Google avec ses « Aperçus IA » en haut des pages de résultats, et Microsoft avec Copilot sur Bing, qui fournit des réponses argumentées. Ces innovations, alimentées par de grands modèles de langage, fournissent des réponses personnalisées et contextuelles, allant au-delà des résultats traditionnels basés sur des liens pour offrir des informations conversationnelles en temps réel. Toutefois, cette évolution soulève des inquiétudes concernant la confidentialité des données, le monopole de la recherche sur le web et la perturbation du trafic web essentiel aux entreprises en ligne, car les réponses fournies par l’IA réduisent souvent la nécessité de visiter des sites externes.


TECHNOLOGIE

Le mois d’avril 2025 a été marqué par des conflits juridiques autour de la gouvernance numérique et des tensions commerciales mondiales, ainsi que par une tendance croissante à la réglementation de la concurrence dans le secteur technologique.

Le chatbot Gemini de Google a atteint 350 millions d’utilisateurs actifs par mois et 35 millions d’utilisateurs quotidiens en mars 2025, selon des documents judiciaires révélés lors d’un procès antitrust en cours.

Une nouvelle start-up controversée appelée Cluely a levé 5,3 millions de dollars pour développer un outil d’IA  destiné à aider les utilisateurs “à tricher”, que ce soit lors d’un entretien d’embauche ou d’un examen

La start-up chinoise DeepSeek, spécialisée dans l’intelligence artificielle, a annoncé son intention de mettre à disposition la technologie qui sous-tend son moteur d’inférence interne, dans le but de renforcer la collaboration au sein de la communauté open source dédiée à l’IA.

Le dernier modèle linguistique open source de Méta, Llama 4 Maverick, a obtenu des résultats médiocres dans un banc d’essai d’IA largement utilisé, après que l’entreprise ait été critiquée pour avoir initialement utilisé une version fortement modifiée et non commercialisée afin d’améliorer ses résultats.

GOUVERNANCE

Dans son article de blog intitulé « Tech continuity in President Trump’s first 100 days » (La continuité technologique au cours des 100 premiers jours du président Trump), Jovan Kurbalija souligne que l’approche de Trump en matière de technologie est restée étonnamment stable malgré les turbulences politiques dans les domaines du commerce et de l’environnement.

La Commission européenne fait face à des critiques croissantes après qu’une enquête conjointe a révélé que les grandes entreprises technologiques avaient exercé une influence disproportionnée sur la rédaction du code de bonnes pratiques de l’UE sur l’IA à usage général.

L’ONU est confrontée à une nouvelle incertitude financière alors que l’administration Trump réexamine tout le soutien américain aux organisations internationales. Trump a déjà suspendu le financement de plusieurs agences onusiennes et s’est retiré d’organismes tels que l’Organisation mondiale de la santé et le Conseil des droits de l’Homme.

La Déclaration de Hambourg sur l’IA responsable pour les objectifs de développement durable (ODD) est une nouvelle initiative mondiale lancée conjointement par le Programme des Nations unies pour le développement (PNUD) et le ministère fédéral allemand de la coopération économique et du développement (BMZ).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Microsoft a dévoilé une série de cinq engagements numériques visant à soutenir l’avenir technologique et économique de l’Europe.

Google a annoncé un partenariat avec PJM Interconnection, le plus grand opérateur de réseau électrique en Amérique du Nord, afin de déployer une intelligence artificielle destinée à réduire les délais de connexion des nouvelles sources d’énergie au réseau.

Microsoft a déclaré qu’il « ralentissait ou suspendait » certains projets de construction de centres de données, dont un projet d’un milliard de dollars dans l’Ohio, en raison de l’évolution de la demande en infrastructures d’intelligence artificielle.

JURIDIQUE

Alphabet, la société mère de Google, pourrait bientôt être contrainte de se diviser en plusieurs entités distinctes, son navigateur Chrome apparaissant comme une cible particulièrement attractive.

La Commission européenne a infligé une amende totale de 700 millions d’euros aux géants technologiques Apple et Méta, marquant ainsi les premières sanctions prises en vertu de la loi européenne sur les marchés numériques (DMA).

L’ancienne cadre de Facebook, Sarah Wynn-Williams, a accusé Méta de compromettre la sécurité nationale américaine afin de développer ses activités en Chine.

La commission des services financiers de la Chambre des représentants des États-Unis a adopté un projet de loi visant à réglementer les cryptomonnaies stables, qui sera désormais soumis au vote de l’ensemble de la Chambre.

ECONOMIE

Le président Donald Trump a signé des décrets visant à assouplir ses droits de douane controversés de 25 % sur les automobiles et les pièces détachées, dans le but d’alléger la pression sur les constructeurs automobiles confrontés à une hausse des coûts.

Le Royaume-Uni et les États-Unis s’apprêtent à renforcer leur collaboration pour promouvoir l’adoption des cryptomonnaies.

Les géants de la mode rapide Temu et Shein ont averti les consommateurs américains de s’attendre à des hausses de prix à partir de la semaine prochaine, suite à l’entrée en vigueur de nouveaux droits de douane sur les importations chinoises dans le cadre de la politique commerciale de Donald Trump.

L’équipe derrière la cryptomonnaie meme sur Solana, inspirée de Donald Trump, a retiré 4,6 millions de dollars en USDC quelques jours avant un déblocage massif de jetons.

Paul Atkins a officiellement prêté serment en tant que 34e président de la Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) des États-Unis. Connu pour sa position favorable aux cryptomonnaies, M. Atkins devrait apporter une clarification bien nécessaire à la réglementation des actifs numériques.

OpenAI a exprimé son intérêt pour l’acquisition du navigateur Chrome de Google s’il venait à être mis en vente, y voyant un potentiel coup de pouce pour sa plateforme d’IA, ChatGPT.

Les entreprises de cryptomonnaie fusionnent de plus en plus avec la finance traditionnelle (TradFi), témoignant d’une synergie croissante entre les deux secteurs. Gracy Chen, PDG de Bitget, a souligné que les plateformes d’échange de cryptomonnaies et les acteurs de la TradFi cherchent à combler le fossé entre les deux secteurs.

Moscou s’apprête à accueillir le Global Blockchain Forum 2025 les 23 et 24 avril, qui attirera plus de 15 000 passionnés de cryptomonnaies du monde entier.

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), un projet de cryptomonnaie soutenu par la famille Trump, a ajouté 4,89 millions de jetons SEI à son portefeuille.

La ville de Panama a annoncé qu’elle accepterait les paiements en Bitcoin, Ethereum et cryptomonnaies stables telles que l’USDC et le Tether pour ses services publics.

AMD a averti que les nouvelles restrictions imposées par le gouvernement américain sur l’exportation de puces d’IA vers la Chine et plusieurs autres pays pourraient avoir un impact significatif sur ses bénéfices.

Les marchés boursiers mondiaux ont connu une forte hausse après l’annonce par le président Donald Trump d’une suspension de 90 jours des droits de douane pour plusieurs pays.

L’Agence des services financiers du Japon (FSA) a publié le 10 avril un document de discussion intitulé « Examen de la structure des cadres réglementaires relatifs aux crypto-actifs ».

SÉCURITÉ

L’Agence américaine pour la cybersécurité et la sécurité des infrastructures (CISA) a prolongé son contrat avec la société MITRE afin de poursuivre le programme CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) pendant 11 mois supplémentaires.

Adyen a été victime de trois attaques DDoS coordonnées lundi soir, qui ont gravement perturbé les paiements par carte bancaire et en ligne.

Selon la société de cybersécurité Volexity, des pirates informatiques liés à la Russie affinent leurs techniques pour infiltrer les comptes Microsoft 365. Leur dernière stratégie vise les organisations non gouvernementales (ONG) associées à l’Ukraine en exploitant OAuth, un protocole utilisé pour l’autorisation d’applications sans mot de passe.

Les autorités chinoises ont accusé trois agents américains présumés d’avoir orchestré des cyberattaques contre des infrastructures nationales lors des Jeux asiatiques à Harbin en février dernier.

Du 7 au 11 avril, des représentants de 20 gouvernements alliés et agences nationales ont participé à un exercice dirigé par l’OTAN visant à renforcer le soutien mutuel dans le domaine cybernétique.

Le lancement de DeepSeek, un LLM développé par la Chine, a ravivé les inquiétudes de longue date concernant l’IA, la sécurité nationale et l’espionnage industriel.

Le Japon a adopté la loi sur la cyberdéfense active, qui autorise l’armée et les forces de l’ordre du pays à prendre des mesures préventives en réponse aux cybermenaces.

DÉVELOPPEMENT

La Commission européenne renforce l’application de sa loi sur les services numériques (DSA) en recrutant 60 personnes supplémentaires pour soutenir les enquêtes en cours sur les grandes plateformes technologiques. Bien que des investigations aient été ouvertes depuis décembre 2023 sur des entreprises telles que X, Méta, TikTok, AliExpress et Temu, aucune n’a abouti à ce jour.

Google offre une réduction de 71 % sur son offre d’applications professionnelles aux agences fédérales américaines dans le cadre d’un nouvel accord avec la General Services Administration (GSA).

SOCIO-CULTUREL

La course à l’IA entre la Chine et les États-Unis se déplace vers les salles de classe. Comme le souligne Jovan Kurbalija, expert en gouvernance de l’IA, dans son analyse des stratégies mondiales en matière d’IA, deux pays considèrent la maîtrise de l’IA comme un « impératif stratégique ».

Méta va bientôt empêcher les enfants de moins de 16 ans de diffuser en direct sur Instagram, sauf autorisation expresse de leurs parents.

Le nombre d’utilisateurs de ChatGPT a doublé ces dernières semaines. Sam Altman, PDG d’OpenAI, estime que la plateforme compte désormais près de 800 millions d’utilisateurs hebdomadaires.

Une vague de protestations a déferlé sur le siège londonien de Méta, où des auteurs et des professionnels de l’édition se sont rassemblés pour exprimer leur indignation face à l’utilisation présumée de livres piratés par le géant technologique pour développer des outils d’IA.

L’IA peut sembler être une merveille moderne, mais ses fondements remontent à la pensée philosophique du début du XXe siècle, en particulier à l’école philosophique de Lwów-Varsovie. Dans un récent blog de Jovan Kurbalija, directeur exécutif de Diplo, ce dernier souligne comment ce mouvement influent, fondé par Kazimierz Twardowski et actif entre les deux guerres mondiales, a apporté des contributions révolutionnaires à la logique, à la sémantique et à la philosophie analytique, des domaines qui sous-tendent les systèmes d’IA actuels.

Pour plus d’informations sur la cybersécurité, les politiques numériques, la gouvernance de l’IA et d’autres sujets connexes, veuillez consulter le site diplomacy.edu.


Les coupes budgétaires américaines menacent l’avenir de l’ONU et le rôle de Genève en tant que carrefour mondial

Sous la présidence de Donald Trump, les coupes budgétaires drastiques des États-Unis ont ébranlé l’ensemble du système onusien, compromettant le fonctionnement d’organisations clés basées à Genève, telles que l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) et l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC). Alors que les États-Unis contribuaient à hauteur de 18 milliards de dollars par an au système des Nations unies, dont 13 milliards pour la seule année 2023, le gel et la révision du financement de l’ONU par Trump ont déclenché une crise structurelle. L’OMS est confrontée à un déficit budgétaire pouvant atteindre 45 % pour 2026-2027 après avoir perdu environ 1,2 milliard de dollars en raison du retrait des États-Unis en janvier, ce qui l’a contraint de prévoir de réduire considérablement ses effectifs et son fonctionnement.L’OMC, qui célèbre son 30e anniversaire dans un contexte de tensions commerciales mondiales exacerbées par les droits de douane américains, est confrontée à des défis existentiels, car la préférence de Trump pour les négociations bilatérales sape le cadre commercial multilatéral.

À Genève, qui accueille 29 000 travailleurs internationaux, les craintes s’intensifient alors que l’ONU envisage de transférer des milliers de postes vers des sites moins coûteux. New York et Genève, les lieux d’affectation les plus coûteux de l’ONU, doivent identifier les postes susceptibles d’être transférés d’ici 2026. Cette décision a suscité l’inquiétude du personnel et des États hôtes, les syndicats protestant contre la rapidité et le manque de transparence du processus décisionnel. Des villes telles que Nairobi, Vienne, Bonn et Valence devraient bénéficier des postes transférés de Genève et de New York, ce qui fragmenterait encore davantage la main-d’œuvre de l’ONU. La Suisse, qui a beaucoup investi dans le rôle de Genève en tant que plaque tournante internationale, a exprimé sa profonde inquiétude quant à la perte potentielle de connaissances institutionnelles et d’efficacité opérationnelle.Parallèlement, les politiques tarifaires de l’administration Trump, notamment les droits de douane réciproques pouvant atteindre 145 % à l’encontre de la Chine, aggravent la situation. L’OMC a mis en garde contre un ralentissement marqué de la croissance du commerce mondial. Des experts soulignent que l’approche bilatérale de Trump risque de déstabiliser le système commercial multilatéral, car les États se sentent poussés à négocier directement avec Washington, affaiblissant ainsi le pouvoir de négociation collectif. Alors que les principales organisations des Nations unies font face à des coupes budgétaires, des compressions d’effectifs et à des tensions géopolitiques, l’avenir de la diplomatie multilatérale, ainsi que le statut de Genève en tant que centre diplomatique international de premier plan, restent incertains.


Stabilité des politiques technologiques au cours des 100 premiers jours du président Trump

La politique technologique menée au cours des 100 premiers jours du mandat du président Trump a été marquée par la continuité plutôt que par le changement, contrastant avec des bouleversements plus importants dans les domaines du commerce et de l’environnement. Seuls 9 des 139 décrets présidentiels (EO) portaient explicitement sur la technologie. Vous pouvez consulter le texte des EO et l’agent IA ci-dessous.

La politique technologique de Trump a donné la priorité à la révision des politiques et aux consultations publiques sur l’IA et les questions numériques, signalant une évolution régulière plutôt qu’une disruption radicale.

Stabilité des politiques

La politique de Trump en matière de technologie renforce une approche centrée sur les entreprises, conforme à une tradition américaine centenaire en matière de gouvernance technologique.

Le principe américain « si ça marche, ne changez rien » sous-tend sa politique technologique et soutient les intérêts fondamentaux de l’industrie technologique. Cependant, l’UE et d’autres pays font pression en faveur de la souveraineté numérique, remettant en cause ce statu quo. Cette tendance pourrait s’accélérer avec les répercussions des droits de douane américains. À mesure que les restrictions sur les biens, les services, les personnes et les capitaux s’intensifient, la tension entre un Internet unifié et un paysage géopolitique fragmenté s’accroît.

Quatre points chauds résument cette situation inextricable : les taxes sur les services numériques, la pression réglementaire, les règles relatives au contenu et l’accès aux données de l’IA.

Gouvernance de contenu

Le changement politique le plus notable est survenu le 20 janvier 2025, avec le décret « Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship » (Restaurer la liberté d’expression et mettre fin à la censure fédérale), qui a réduit les initiatives de lutte contre la désinformation. L’alignement de Méta en 2025 sur le recul d’Elon Musk en matière de modération des contenus sur X (anciennement Twitter) a amplifié cette tendance.

Les principaux débats sont les suivants :

Responsabilité des plateformes : l’avenir de la section 230 reste incertain. Malgré l’intérêt pour une réforme bipartisane, Trump ne s’est pas encore directement prononcé sur la question, même si le fait de s’en servir pour responsabiliser les entreprises pourrait remodeler sa politique actuelle en matière de contenu.

Tensions mondiales : la loi européenne sur les services numériques et les restrictions australiennes sur les réseaux sociaux entrent en conflit avec la position de Trump en faveur de la déréglementation, ce qui risque d’entraîner des frictions diplomatiques.

La saga TikTok se poursuit

La saga TikTok est passée de la gouvernance des contenus aux relations géopolitiques avec la Chine. Le 4 avril 2025, ByteDance a obtenu un délai prolongé jusqu’à la mi-juin pour trouver un acquéreur non chinois. Les droits de douane imposés par les États-Unis sur les produits chinois compliquent encore davantage les négociations autour de TikTok.

IA : s’aligner sur les tendances mondiales

Dès son premier jour en fonction, Trump a révoqué le décret de Biden (EO 14110), marquant un passage de la sécurité de l’IA à une approche axée sur le développement pro-entreprises. Ce changement reflète également une évolution mondiale dans la gouvernance de l’IA : on est passé, depuis 2023, d’une focalisation sur les risques existentiels à des approches cherchant à équilibrer risques et opportunités liés à l’IA. Le décret du 23 avril 2025 sur l’éducation à l’IA a introduit des réformes visant à intégrer l’intelligence artificielle dans les programmes scolaires, de l’école primaire à l’université.

La consultation publique sur le nouveau plan d’action en matière d’IA, qui a recueilli 8 755 commentaires, a mis en évidence plusieurs priorités : OpenAI a souligné l’aspect idéologique de la concurrence avec la Chine dans le domaine de l’IA, Google s’est concentré sur la compétitivité et Anthropic a mis l’accent sur la sûreté et la sécurité.

Le discours du vice-président Vance lors du Sommet sur l’IA à Paris a mis l’accent sur le développement plutôt que sur des réglementations restrictives en matière de sécurité, signalant ainsi la réserve des États-Unis à l’égard des initiatives mondiales de gouvernance de l’IA.

Cybersécurité : maintien de la politique et accent mis sur la Chine

La continuité et la révision constituent les principales caractéristiques des politiques de cybersécurité de Trump. Le principal changement majeur réside dans l’exclusion explicite des « infrastructures cognitives » (par exemple, la désinformation, les fausses nouvelles) du domaine de la cybersécurité et dans la priorité accordée à la protection des infrastructures techniques contre les cyberrisques.

Sur le plan international, les contrôles à l’exportation vers la Chine ont été maintenus, mais la Russie a été retirée de la liste des cybermenaces, conformément au changement géopolitique global des États-Unis.

Économie numérique : droits de douane, fiscalité, régulations et seuil de minimis

Bien que les cent premiers jours n’aient pas apporté de développements majeurs dans le secteur technologique ou dans l’économie, le nouveau train de tarifs douaniers introduit le 6 avril pourrait faire de l’industrie technologique une « victime collatérale ». Il semble peu probable que la libre circulation des données – essentielle pour le secteur technologique – puisse se maintenir s’il y a des restrictions sur la circulation des autres piliers de l’économie moderne : les biens, les services, les personnes et les capitaux. Avec la pause actuelle dans l’introduction des tarifs américains, davantage de temps sera disponible pour évaluer les risques pesant sur les réseaux numériques et sur internet.

Outre les tensions tarifaires, l’économie numérique sera affectée par l’introduction de taxes sur les services numériques (TSN). Après l’échec des négociations de l’OCDE sur la taxe numérique, de nombreux pays ont commencé à mettre en œuvre des TSN, afin de garantir que les entreprises technologiques contribuent aux économies locales dont elles tirent profit. La France a imposé une taxe de 3 % et le Royaume-Uni une taxe de 2 % sur les revenus générés par l’utilisation par leurs citoyens des moteurs de recherche, des plateformes de réseaux sociaux et d’autres services électroniques.

Les États-Unis ont riposté en imposant des contre-tarifs en vertu de la section 301 de la loi américaine sur le commerce (US Trade Act) à l’Autriche, la France, l’Italie, l’Espagne, la Türkiye et le Royaume-Uni. L’administration Trump a menacé d’intensifier les contre-mesures en vertu de la section 891 de la même loi, prévoyant une double imposition des sociétés des juridictions qui taxent les entreprises américaines.

En cas de guerre commerciale, il est également probable que les pays exerceront une pression réglementaire plus stricte sur les entreprises technologiques. Certains interprètent les mesures prises par l’UE à l’encontre de Méta et Facebook dans ce contexte.

Le 2 avril, Trump a signé le décret EO 14257, mettant fin à l’exemption de minimis qui permettait l’importation en franchise de droits de douane et de taxes de marchandises dont la valeur était inférieure à un certain seuil. La nouvelle réglementation aura un impact considérable sur les entreprises chinoises telles que Temu, qui a exporté quelque 240 milliards de dollars américains en commerce direct aux consommateurs dans le monde en 2024, représentant 7 % de ses ventes à l’étranger et contribuant à hauteur de 1,3 % au PIB de la Chine.

Les droits de douane, les taxes et la pression réglementaire risquent d’entraîner une fragmentation de l’économie numérique mondiale. La fragmentation économique pourrait déclencher une fragmentation technique due à un filtrage accru du trafic et à des normes divergentes, avec un effet en cascade. Dans le scénario le plus extrême, ces tendances pourraient conduire à une fracture de l’Internet en systèmes distincts et incompatibles.

Cryptomonnaies : une nouvelle ère

En récompense du soutien de l’industrie des cryptomonnaies pendant sa campagne électorale, Trump a entamé son mandat par des mesures de déréglementation et des politiques favorables aux cryptos. Le décret présidentiel 14178 (daté du 23 janvier 2025) a révoqué les restrictions imposées par Biden sur les cryptomonnaies, interdit la création d’une monnaie numérique de banque centrale et instauré un groupe de travail chargé de la régulation. Le décret du 6 mars 2025 a, quant à lui, créé une Réserve stratégique de Bitcoin, permettant au Trésor de conserver les actifs numériques confisqués. Ces initiatives, bien que marquées, soulèvent des inquiétudes quant à la volatilité des marchés et à d’éventuels conflits en matière de politique publique.

Diplomatie numérique de l’ONU et des États-Unis

La diplomatie numérique américaine est le reflet d’un changement plus général dans la stratégie géopolitique de Donald Trump. Par exemple, le rapprochement avec la Russie a conduit à une déclaration de l’ONU retirant la Russie de la liste des pays considérés comme des menaces cybernétiques. Au sein de la Commission des Nations unies sur la science et la technologie au service du développement, les États-Unis ont voté contre la résolution proposée en raison de références à des questions non techniques, notamment les objectifs de développement durable (ODD) et les droits climatiques et sexuels.

Un autre indicateur des priorités américaines est l’exclusion de l’Union internationale des télécommunications (UIT) des organisations confrontées à d’importantes réductions de leur financement américain, à l’exception d’un petit projet. Des analystes, notamment ceux de Geneva Solutions, attribuent cette décision au rôle potentiel de l’UIT dans la garantie d’un cadre réglementaire pour des initiatives telles que les projets d’exploration spatiale d’Elon Musk.

Conclusion : poursuivre les efforts face aux défis internationaux

Si la présidence de Trump pourrait entraîner certains changements dans la politique technologique, notamment en matière de régulation des contenus et d’intelligence artificielle, elle restera façonnée par la continuité à long terme de la politique technologique américaine, qui privilégie l’innovation portée par le secteur privé et résiste aux efforts de régulation internationale.

Toutefois, le maintien de cette approche nécessitera de gérer les tensions croissantes avec l’UE, la Chine et d’autres pays qui cherchent à renforcer leur souveraineté numérique, notamment en matière de flux de données et de gains économiques tirés de l’économie numérique.

Ainsi, la politique technologique de Trump sera moins une révolution réglementaire qu’un effort pour préserver le statu quo.
Pour plus d’informations sur ces sujets, veuillez consulter le site diplomacy.edu.


Méta a organisé sa toute première LlamaCon, une conférence de développeurs de haut niveau axée sur ses modèles linguistiques open source. Coïncidant avec la publication de ses résultats du premier trimestre, cet événement a permis de présenter Llama 4, le modèle open-weight le plus récent et le plus puissant de Méta à ce jour.

Le message était clair : Méta souhaite mener la prochaine génération d’IA selon ses propres conditions et avec un avantage Open Source. Au-delà des présentations, la conférence constituait une tentative de redéfinir l’image publique de Méta.

Autrefois définie par les réseaux sociaux et les controverses sur la confidentialité, Méta se positionne désormais comme une entreprise visionnaire dans le domaine des infrastructures d’IA. LlamaCon ne concernait pas seulement un modèle. Il s’agissait d’un mouvement que Méta souhaite mener, avec les développeurs, les start-ups et les entreprises comme co-constructeurs.

En organisant LlamaCon la même semaine que la publication de ses résultats financiers, Méta a stratégiquement souligné que ses ambitions en matière d’IA ne sont pas des projets secondaires. Elles sont au cœur de l’identité, de la stratégie et des priorités d’investissement de l’entreprise pour l’avenir. Cette convergence des messages annonce un nouveau chapitre audacieux dans l’évolution de Méta.

L’essor de Llama : d’une curiosité open source à une priorité stratégique

Lorsque Méta a présenté LLaMA 1 en 2023, la communauté de l’IA a remarqué sa politique de publication en libre accès. Contrairement à OpenAI et Anthropic, Méta a autorisé les chercheurs et les développeurs à télécharger, affiner et déployer les modèles Llama sur leur propre infrastructure. Cette décision a ouvert la voie à une vague d’expérimentations et d’innovations citoyennes.

Avec Llama 4, les modèles ont considérablement mûri, offrant un meilleur réglage des instructions, une capacité multilingue et des garde-fous de sécurité améliorés. Les chercheurs en IA de Méta ont intégré les leçons tirées des itérations précédentes et les commentaires de la communauté, faisant de Llama 4 une mise à jour et un point d’inflexion stratégique.

Il est essentiel de noter que Méta ne commercialise plus Llama comme une nouveauté dans le domaine de la recherche. Il s’agit désormais d’une plateforme et d’une base stable pour les outils tiers, les solutions d’entreprise et les produits d’IA de Méta. C’est un tournant décisif, où l’idéologie open source rencontre l’exécution à l’échelle de l’entreprise.

Le pari de Zuckerberg : l’IA comme moteur du prochain chapitre de Méta

Mark Zuckerberg a toujours été prêt à prendre des paris audacieux et à long terme, qu’il s’agisse du passage au mobile au début des années 2010 ou, plus récemment, du pari sur le Métaverse. Lors de la LlamaCon, il a précisé que l’IA était désormais la priorité absolue de l’entreprise, surpassant même la réalité virtuelle en termes d’importance stratégique.

Il a présenté Méta comme une « entreprise d’IA à usage général », axée à la fois sur la sphère grand public (via des chatbots et des assistants) et sur la sphère fondamentale (modèles et infrastructure). Le PDG de Méta envisage un monde où Méta alimenterait à la fois l’IA avec laquelle vous communiquez et celle sur laquelle reposent vos applications, un double rôle qui rivalise avec le partenariat entre Microsoft et OpenAI.

Ce pari comporte des risques. Les investisseurs restent sceptiques quant à la capacité de Méta à transformer ses avancées en matière de recherche en avantage commercial. Cependant, Zuckerberg semble convaincu que celui qui contrôlera la technologie de l’IA (matériel, modèles et outils) contrôlera la prochaine décennie d’innovation, et Méta a l’intention d’être l’un de ces acteurs.

Un avenir coûteux : l’investissement massif de Méta dans l’infrastructure de l’IA

Les prévisions d’investissements de Méta pour 2025, comprises entre 60 et 65 milliards de dollars, figurent parmi les plus importantes de l’histoire des technologies. Ces fonds seront principalement consacrés à des groupes de formation en IA, à des centres de données et à des puces de nouvelle génération.

Ce niveau de dépenses souligne la conviction de Méta que l’échelle constitue un avantage concurrentiel à l’ère des LLM. Une plus grande puissance de calcul signifie une formation plus rapide, un meilleur réglage et une inférence plus réactive, en particulier pour les modèles à des milliards de paramètres comme Llama 4 et au-delà.

Toutefois, un tel investissement soulève des questions quant à la capacité de Méta à rentabiliser ces dépenses à court terme. Va-t-elle développer des services aux entreprises ou s’appuyer uniquement sur la valeur indirecte générée par l’engagement et la publicité ? À ce stade, aucun plan de monétisation n’est directement lié à Llama, seulement une vision et l’infrastructure nécessaire pour la soutenir.

Incertitudes économiques : entre croissance des revenus et pressions de Wall Street

Méta a annoncé une augmentation de 11 % de son chiffre d’affaires au premier trimestre 2025, grâce à la performance solide de ses plateformes publicitaires. Cependant, Wall Street a réagi négativement, le titre de la société chutant de près de 13 % après la publication des résultats, les investisseurs s’inquiétant de la hausse des coûts liés aux ambitions de Méta en matière d’IA.

Malgré la croissance de son chiffre d’affaires, les marges de Méta s’amenuisent, principalement en raison d’investissements massifs dans les infrastructures et la R&D. Si Méta considère ces investissements comme essentiels pour assurer sa domination à long terme dans le domaine de l’IA, les investisseurs restent attachés à des prévisions de bénéfices à court terme.

Une tension fondamentale est à l’œuvre ici : Méta se comporte comme une start-up en phase de démarrage dans le domaine de l’IA, avec des dépenses faramineuses, tout en étant valorisée comme une société cotée en bourse mature et génératrice de liquidités. Reste à voir si cette tension se résoudra par la croissance ou par une réduction des dépenses.

Contraintes mondiales : Chine, droits de douane et évolution de la chaîne d’approvisionnement technologique

Au-delà des pressions financières internes, Méta est confrontée à des défis externes croissants. Les tensions commerciales entre les États-Unis et la Chine ont perturbé la chaîne d’approvisionnement mondiale en semi-conducteurs, en puces d’IA et en composants pour centres de données.

Les perspectives internationales de Méta s’assombrissent avec l’augmentation des droits de douane et la baisse des recettes publicitaires en Chine. Cela est particulièrement problématique car l’infrastructure d’IA de Méta dépend fortement de fournisseurs et d’usines de fabrication mondiaux. Toute perturbation dans la livraison de puces, en particulier les GPU et les puces sur mesure, pourrait perturber ses calendriers de formation et de déploiement.

Dans le même temps, Méta tente de reconstruire sa chaîne d’approvisionnement en matériel, notamment en concevant ses propres puces et en s’approvisionnant auprès d’autres régions telles que l’Inde et l’Asie du Sud-Est. Ces mesures sont défensives, mais elles reflètent le fait que la stratégie en matière d’IA devient indissociable de la géopolitique.

Llama 4 en perspective : comparaison avec GPT-4 et Gemini

Llama 4 représente une avancée significative par rapport à Llama 2 et est désormais comparable à GPT-4 selon divers tests de performance. Les premiers retours indiquent de solides résultats en matière de logique, de raisonnement multilingue et de génération de code.

Cependant, sa capacité à gérer l’utilisation d’outils, la mémoire et les tâches avancées d’agent reste encore à déterminer. Par rapport à Gemini 1.5, le modèle phare de Google, Llama 4 peut encore présenter des lacunes dans certains cas d’utilisation, en particulier ceux qui nécessitent de longues fenêtres contextuelles et une intégration approfondie avec d’autres services Google.

Mais Llama présente un avantage de taille : il est gratuit, modifiable et auto-hébergé. Cela fait de Llama 4 une option intéressante pour les développeurs et les entreprises qui souhaitent contrôler leur plateforme d’IA sans payer de frais par jeton ni exposer leurs données sensibles à des tiers.

Open-source ou verrouillage : quelle stratégie pour dominer l’IA ?

La philosophie à poids ouvert de Méta la différencie de ses concurrents, dont les modèles sont principalement fermés, liés à des API et protégés par des droits de propriété. En revanche, Méta distribue gratuitement ses actifs les plus précieux, tels que les poids, les détails de formation et la documentation.

L’ouverture favorise l’adoption. Elle crée des écosystèmes, accélère le développement d’outils et renforce la bonne volonté des développeurs. La stratégie de Méta consiste à remporter la course à l’IA non pas en facturant des frais d’utilisation, mais en donnant aux autres les clés pour s’appuyer sur ses modèles. Ce faisant, elle espère façonner l’orientation du développement de l’IA à l’échelle mondiale.

Il existe toutefois des risques. Les poids ouverts peuvent être utilisés à mauvais escient, ajustés à des fins malveillantes ou divulgués dans des produits que Méta ne contrôle pas. Cependant, Méta parie que le fait d’être présent partout est plus puissant que d’être fermé. Et jusqu’à présent, ce pari est payant, du moins en termes d’influence, si ce n’est encore en termes de revenus.

La stratégie ouverte de Méta peut-elle générer des rendements à long terme ?

La LlamaCon de Méta n’était pas seulement un événement technologique, mais aussi une déclaration philosophique. À une époque où le pouvoir de l’IA est de plus en plus concentré et monétisé, Méta choisit une voie différente, fondée sur l’ouverture, l’infrastructure et l’adoption par la communauté.

L’entreprise investit des dizaines de milliards de dollars sans modèle de monétisation clair. Elle parie massivement que les modèles ouverts et les infrastructures privées peuvent devenir le cadre dominant du développement de l’IA.

 Architecture, Building, Lighting, Logo, Electronics, Screen, Sign, Symbol, Text, Computer Hardware, Hardware, Monitor

Cette initiative positionne Méta comme l’Android de l’ère des LLM : omniprésent, flexible et incontournable. L’avenir sera façonné à la fois par des avancées techniques et par des forces externes telles que la réglementation, l’économie et la géopolitique.

Que le pari de Méta sur l’open source s’avère visionnaire ou imprudent, une chose est claire : le paysage de l’IA ne se résume plus à savoir qui dispose du modèle le plus innovant. Il s’agit désormais de savoir qui construit l’écosystème le plus vaste.

chatbot Diplo.

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De GPT-4 à 4.5 : Quels sont les changements et pourquoi sont-ils importants ?

En mars 2024, OpenAI a lancé GPT-4.5, la dernière version de sa série de grands modèles linguistiques (LLM), repoussant les limites de ce que les machines peuvent accomplir en matière de compréhension et de génération du langage. S’appuyant sur les atouts de GPT-4, son successeur, GPT-4.5, affiche des capacités de raisonnement améliorées, une compréhension plus nuancée du contexte et des interactions plus fluides et plus humaines.

Ce qui distingue GPT-4.5 de ses prédécesseurs, c’est qu’il présente des techniques d’alignement raffinées, une meilleure mémoire sur des conversations plus longues et un contrôle accru du ton, de la personnalité et de l’exactitude des faits. Sa capacité à maintenir des échanges cohérents et émotionnellement résonnants au cours de dialogues prolongés marque un tournant dans la communication entre l’homme et l’IA. Ces améliorations ne sont pas seulement techniques : elles ont un impact significatif sur notre façon de travailler, de communiquer et d’interagir avec les systèmes intelligents.

La capacité croissante de GPT-4.5 à imiter le comportement humain soulève une question essentielle : peut-il vraiment nous faire croire qu’il est l’un des nôtres ? Cette question a récemment trouvé une réponse, et elle est étroitement liée au test de Turing.

Le test de Turing : origines, objectif et pertinence actuelle

En 1950, le mathématicien et informaticien britannique Alan Turing a posé une question audacieuse : « Les machines peuvent-elles penser ? » Dans son article révolutionnaire intitulé « Computing Machinery and Intelligence », il a proposé ce qui allait devenir le test de Turing, une méthode pratique pour évaluer la capacité d’une machine à adopter un comportement intelligent impossible à distinguer de celui d’un être humain.

Dans sa forme la plus simple, si un évaluateur humain ne parvient pas à distinguer de manière fiable les réponses d’un humain et celles d’une machine au cours d’une conversation, la machine est considérée comme ayant réussi le test. Pendant des décennies, le test de Turing est resté davantage une référence philosophique que pratique.

Les premiers chatbots, tels que ELIZA dans les années 1960, ont créé l’illusion de l’intelligence, mais leurs interactions scriptées et superficielles étaient loin d’égaler une véritable communication humaine. De nombreux chercheurs ont remis en question la pertinence du test à mesure que l’IA progressait, arguant que l’imitation d’une conversation n’est pas synonyme de véritable compréhension ou de conscience.

Malgré ces critiques, le test de Turing a perduré, non pas comme une mesure définitive de l’intelligence artificielle, mais plutôt comme un jalon culturel et un baromètre public des progrès de l’IA. Aujourd’hui, le test a retrouvé toute son importance avec l’émergence de modèles tels que GPT-4.5, capables de tenir des conversations complexes, contextuelles et émotionnellement intelligentes. Ce qui semblait autrefois une hypothèse lointaine est désormais un défi concret et mesurable que GPT-4.5 a, selon de nombreux témoignages, relevé avec succès.

Comment GPT- 4.5 a déjoué les juges : dans les coulisses de l’étude sur le test de Turing

Au début de l’année 2025, une étude révolutionnaire menée par des chercheurs de l’université de Californie à San Diego a fourni les preuves les plus solides à ce jour qu’une IA pouvait passer le test de Turing. Dans le cadre d’une expérience contrôlée impliquant plus de 500 participants, plusieurs agents conversationnels, dont GPT-4.5, LLaMa-3.1 de Méta et le chatbot classique ELIZA, ont été évalués lors de conversations textuelles à l’aveugle. Les participants devaient déterminer s’ils s’adressaient à un humain ou à une machine.

Les résultats ont été stupéfiants : GPT-4.5 a été jugé humain dans 54 % à 73 % des interactions, selon le scénario, dépassant ainsi le seuil requis pour réussir le test de Turing. Dans certains cas, il a même surpassé les participants humains, qui n’ont été correctement identifiés comme humains que dans 67 % des cas.

Cette expérience a marqué la toute première fois qu’un modèle d’IA contemporain réussissait de manière convaincante le test de Turing dans des conditions scientifiques rigoureuses. L’étude a non seulement démontré les capacités techniques du modèle, mais elle a également soulevé des questions philosophiques et éthiques.

Que signifie pour une machine d’être « indiscernable » d’un humain ? Et surtout, comment la société doit-elle réagir à un monde où l’IA peut se faire passer pour nous de manière convaincante ?

Comparaison : GPT-4.5, LLaMa-3.1 et ELIZA

Si les performances de GPT-4.5 au test de Turing ont suscité beaucoup d’intérêt, leur comparaison avec d’autres modèles permet de mieux les replacer dans leur contexte. LLaMa-3.1 de Méta, un modèle open source puissant et largement reconnu, a également participé à l’étude.

Il a été identifié comme humain dans environ 56 % des interactions, ce qui constitue un score remarquable, même s’il n’atteint pas tout à fait le seuil généralement accepté pour réussir le test de Turing. Ce résultat souligne à quel point les nuances subtiles et les différences de cohérence dans une conversation peuvent influencer considérablement la perception.

L’étude a également revisité ELIZA, le chatbot pionnier des années 1960 conçu pour imiter un psychothérapeute. Bien qu’il ait une importance historique, la structure simpliste et basée sur des règles d’ELIZA lui a valu d’être identifié comme non humain dans la plupart des cas, soit environ 77 %. Ce contraste frappant avec les modèles modernes montre à quel point le traitement du langage naturel a progressé au cours des six dernières décennies.

Les résultats comparatifs soulignent un point important : aujourd’hui, le succès de l’interaction entre l’homme et l’IA dépend de la génération du langage et de la capacité à adapter le ton, le contexte et la résonance émotionnelle. L’avantage de GPT-4.5 ne semble pas provenir de sa simple fluidité, mais de sa capacité à imiter les subtilités du raisonnement et de l’expression humains, une qualité qui a laissé de nombreux participants à l’essai se demander s’ils s’adressaient réellement à une machine.

Le pouvoir de la personnalité : comment le caractère façonne la perception

L’un des aspects les plus intrigants de l’étude de l’UC San Diego était la manière dont l’attribution de personnalités spécifiques aux modèles d’IA influençait considérablement la perception des participants. Lorsque GPT-4.5 était présenté comme un étudiant de 19 ans introverti et féru de technologie, il obtenait systématiquement de meilleurs résultats en termes de perception humaine que lorsqu’il n’avait pas de personnalité définie.

Ce détail narratif apparemment insignifiant était en réalité un puissant indice psychologique qui influençait la manière dont les personnes interprétaient ses réponses. L’utilisation d’un personnage ajoutait une touche de réalisme à la conversation.

Une légère maladresse, des formulations informelles ou des réponses excentriques n’étaient pas considérées comme des défauts, mais comme cohérentes avec le personnage. Les participants étaient plus enclins à pardonner ou à ignorer certaines imperfections si celles-ci correspondaient à la « personnalité » du modèle.

Cette découverte révèle à quel point l’identité et la crédibilité sont étroitement liées dans la communication humaine, même lorsque l’identité est entièrement artificielle. Cette stratégie fait également écho à un principe bien connu dans le domaine de la narration et de l’image de marque : les gens réagissent aux personnages, pas seulement au contenu.

Dans le contexte de l’IA, le concept de persona fonctionne comme une sorte de camouflage narratif, pas nécessairement pour tromper, mais pour désarmer. Il contribue à combler le fossé de l’étrangeté en offrant aux utilisateurs un cadre social familier. À mesure que l’IA continue d’évoluer, il apparaît clairement que la manière dont un modèle est perçu peut être tout aussi importante que ce qu’il dit réellement.

Les limites du test de Turing : au-delà de l’illusion de l’intelligence

Bien que la réussite du test de Turing soit depuis longtemps considérée comme une étape importante dans le domaine de l’IA, de nombreux experts affirment qu’il ne s’agit pas d’une mesure déterminante de l’intelligence artificielle. Le test se concentre sur l’imitation, c’est-à-dire la capacité d’une IA à paraître humaine dans une conversation, plutôt que sur la compréhension, le raisonnement ou la conscience véritables. En ce sens, il s’agit davantage d’une performance que d’une véritable capacité cognitive.

Les détracteurs soulignent que les grands modèles linguistiques tels que GPT-4.5 ne « comprennent » pas le langage au sens humain du terme : ils génèrent du texte en prédisant le mot suivant le plus probable statistiquement à partir de modèles issus d’énormes bases de données. Cela leur permet de produire des réponses d’une cohérence impressionnante, mais cela ne signifie pas pour autant qu’ils sont capables de comprendre, d’avoir conscience d’eux-mêmes ou de penser de manière indépendante.

Aussi convaincante soit-elle, l’illusion de l’intelligence reste une illusion, et la confondre avec quelque chose de plus peut conduire à une confiance mal placée ou à une dépendance excessive. Malgré son pouvoir symbolique, le test de Turing n’a jamais été conçu comme le test ultime de l’IA.

À mesure que les systèmes d’IA deviennent de plus en plus sophistiqués, de nouveaux critères de référence sont nécessaires, qui évaluent l’imitation linguistique, le raisonnement, la prise de décision éthique et la robustesse dans des environnements réels. Réussir le test de Turing peut faire la une des journaux, mais le véritable test d’intelligence va bien au-delà de la capacité à parler comme nous.

Implications plus larges : repenser le rôle de l’IA dans la société

Le succès de GPT-4.5 au test de Turing ne marque pas seulement une avancée technique, il nous oblige à nous poser des questions sociétales plus profondes. Si l’IA peut passer pour un humain de manière convaincante dans une conversation ouverte, qu’est-ce que cela signifie pour la confiance, la communication et l’authenticité dans nos vies numériques ?

Des robots de service client aux présentateurs de journaux télévisés générés par l’IA, la frontière entre l’humain et la machine s’estompe, et les implications sont loin d’être purement théoriques. Ces évolutions remettent en question les normes existantes dans des domaines tels que le journalisme, l’éducation, la santé et même les rencontres en ligne.

Comment garantir la transparence lorsque l’IA est impliquée ? L’IA devrait-elle être tenue de révéler son identité à chaque interaction ? Et comment se prémunir contre les utilisations malveillantes, telles que les conversations falsifiées ou les personnalités synthétiques conçues pour manipuler, tromper ou exploiter ?

 Body Part, Hand, Person, Finger, Smoke Pipe

À un niveau plus général, l’émergence d’une IA capable de reproduire la voix humaine invite à repenser les notions d’action et de responsabilité. Si une machine peut persuader, sympathiser ou influencer comme une personne, qui est responsable lorsque les choses tournent mal ?

À mesure que l’IA s’intègre davantage dans l’expérience humaine, la société doit faire évoluer ses cadres non seulement en matière de réglementation et d’éthique, mais aussi en matière d’adaptation culturelle. Le GPT-4.5 a peut-être réussi le test de Turing, mais pour nous, en tant que société, le test ne fait que commencer.

Prochaines étapes : le dialogue homme-machine dans l’ère post-Turing

Avec le passage du GPT-4.5 au palier de Turing, nous ne nous demandons plus si les machines peuvent parler comme nous, mais plutôt ce que cela implique pour notre façon de parler, de penser et d’interagir avec les machines. Ce moment marque un changement de paradigme : nous sommes passés de la phase où nous testions la capacité des machines à imiter les humains à celle où nous cherchons à comprendre comment les humains s’adapteront pour coexister avec des machines qui ne semblent plus entièrement artificielles.

Les futurs modèles d’IA repousseront probablement encore plus loin cette frontière, en engageant des conversations non seulement cohérentes, mais aussi profondément contextualisées, adaptées sur le plan émotionnel et réactives sur le plan moral. La barre de ce qui semble « humain » dans les interactions numériques s’élève rapidement, et avec elle apparaît le besoin de nouvelles normes sociales, de nouveaux protocoles et peut-être même de nouvelles compétences.

Nous devrons apprendre non seulement à parler aux machines, mais aussi à vivre avec elles, en tant que collaborateurs, homologues et, dans certains cas, reflets de nous-mêmes. À l’ère post-Turing, le test ne consiste plus à savoir si les machines peuvent nous tromper, mais si nous pouvons conserver notre lucidité, notre responsabilité et notre humanité dans un monde où l’artificiel semble de plus en plus réel.

GPT-4.5 a peut-être franchi une étape historique, mais la véritable histoire ne fait que commencer : il ne s’agit pas de machines qui deviennent humaines, mais d’humains qui redéfinissent ce que signifie être soi-même dans le dialogue avec elles.
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Le commencement de l’empire du logiciel

Microsoft, le géant américain de la technologie, a été fondé il y a 50 ans, le 4 avril 1975, par Bill Gates, ancien étudiant de Harvard, et son ami d’enfance Paul Allen. Depuis lors, la société est passée d’une petite start-up à la plus grande entreprise de logiciels au monde.

Son succès initial remonte à un accord décisif conclu en 1975 concernant l’ordinateur Altair, qui a inspiré les deux associés à lancer officiellement leur entreprise.

Cette même volonté d’innovation a ensuite permis à Microsoft de réaliser une percée en 1980, lorsqu’elle s’est associée à IBM. Cette collaboration, qui consistait à fournir le système d’exploitation DOS pour les PC IBM, a fait de Microsoft un nom connu de tous.

En 1986, Microsoft est entré en bourse à 21 dollars par action, selon le NASDAQ. Un an plus tard, Bill Gates figurait sur la liste des milliardaires, devenant ainsi le plus jeune milliardaire de l’époque, à l’âge de 31 ans.

Microsoft développe son empire

Tout au long des années 1980 et 1990, la domination de Microsoft dans l’industrie du logiciel s’est rapidement renforcée, notamment avec le lancement de Windows 3.0 en 1990, qui s’est vendu à plus de 60 millions d’exemplaires et a consolidé le contrôle de l’entreprise sur le marché des logiciels pour PC.

A man in a blue sweater

Au fil des décennies, Microsoft a considérablement diversifié son portefeuille au-delà des systèmes d’exploitation. Sa division Productivité et processus d’entreprise comprend désormais la très populaire suite Office, qui s’adresse à la fois aux marchés commerciaux et grand public, ainsi que la plateforme LinkedIn destinée aux entreprises.

Tout aussi important est le segment Intelligent Cloud de Microsoft, dirigé par ses services Azure Cloud, désormais deuxième plateforme cloud au monde, qui a transformé la manière dont les entreprises gèrent leur infrastructure informatique.

Cette orientation stratégique vers le calcul en nuage a été complétée par une gamme d’autres produits, notamment SQL Server, Windows Server et Visual Studio.

Le géant sous surveillance

Le parcours de l’entreprise n’a pas été sans défis. Son essor rapide dans les années 1990 a attiré l’attention des autorités réglementaires, ce qui a donné lieu à des affaires antitrust très médiatisées et à des amendes importantes aux États-Unis et en Europe.

Préoccupées par la domination croissante de Microsoft sur le marché des ordinateurs individuels, les autorités réglementaires américaines ont lancé une série d’enquêtes afin de déterminer si l’entreprise cherchait activement à étouffer la concurrence.

L’enquête initiale de la Commission fédérale du commerce a rapidement été reprise par le ministère de la Justice, qui a déposé des accusations officielles en 1998. Au cœur de l’affaire se trouvait la pratique de Microsoft consistant à vendre ses logiciels, principalement Internet Explorer, avec le système d’exploitation Windows.

 Flag, American Flag

Les détracteurs ont fait valoir que cela marginalisait non seulement des concurrents tels que Netscape, mais rendait également difficile pour les utilisateurs d’installer ou même d’accéder à des programmes alternatifs.

De Bill Gates à Satya Nadella

Malgré ces revers, Microsoft a continué à s’adapter à l’évolution du paysage technologique. Lorsque Steve Ballmer est devenu PDG en 2000, certains ont douté de son leadership, mais Microsoft a conservé sa position dominante dans le domaine de l’informatique professionnelle et personnelle.

Au début des années 2000, l’entreprise a remanié ses systèmes d’exploitation sous le nom de code «Project Longhorn ».

Cette initiative a abouti à la sortie de Windows Vista en 2007, qui a reçu un accueil mitigé. Cependant, Windows 7, sorti en 2009, a permis à Microsoft de regagner la faveur du public, tandis que les mises à jour suivantes, telles que Windows 8 et 8.1, visaient à moderniser l’expérience utilisateur, en particulier sur les tablettes.

La transition de Bill Gates à Steve Ballmer, puis à Satya Nadella en 2014, a marqué le début d’une nouvelle ère de leadership qui a vu la capitalisation boursière de l’entreprise monter en flèche et son activité se recentrer sur le cloud computing et l’intelligence artificielle.

A man in a suit and tie

Sous la direction de Nadella, Microsoft a considérablement investi dans l’IA, notamment en injectant 1 milliard de dollars dans OpenAI en 2019.

Cette décision stratégique, associée à l’intégration de fonctionnalités d’IA dans l’ensemble de son écosystème logiciel, de Microsoft 365 à Bing et Windows, témoigne de la volonté de l’entreprise de rester à la pointe de l’innovation technologique.

La volonté de Microsoft d’innover par le biais d’acquisitions et d’investissements majeurs

Microsoft a toujours démontré son engagement à élargir ses capacités technologiques et sa présence sur le marché par le biais d’acquisitions stratégiques.

En 2011, Microsoft a fait la une des journaux avec l’acquisition de Skype pour 8,5 milliards de dollars, une initiative visant à concurrencer FaceTime d’Apple et Google Voice en intégrant Skype à ses plateformes telles qu’Outlook et Xbox.

 Airport, Terminal, Sign, Symbol, Airport Terminal, Text

D’autres acquisitions stratégiques ont joué un rôle important dans l’évolution de Microsoft. La société a racheté LinkedIn, Skype, GitHub et Mojang, les studios à l’origine de Minecraft. Ces dernières années, la société a réalisé des investissements notables dans des secteurs clés, notamment l’infrastructure cloud, la cybersécurité, l’IA et les jeux vidéo.

L’une des acquisitions les plus importantes a été celle d’Inflection AI en 2024. Cette opération a renforcé les efforts de Microsoft pour intégrer l’IA dans les applications quotidiennes. Les outils d’IA personnels, essentiels tant pour les consommateurs que pour les entreprises, améliorent la productivité et la personnalisation.

Cette acquisition renforce la position de Microsoft dans le domaine de l’IA conversationnelle, au profit de plateformes telles que Microsoft 365, Azure AI et ChatGPT d’OpenAI, que Microsoft soutient fortement.

En améliorant ses capacités en matière de traitement du langage naturel et d’interaction avec les utilisateurs, cette acquisition permet à Microsoft d’offrir des solutions d’IA plus intuitives et personnalisées, ce qui l’aide à concurrencer des entreprises telles que Google et Méta.

Microsoft acquiert Fungible et Lumenisity pour innover dans le domaine du cloud

Dans le cadre d’une stratégie visant à améliorer son infrastructure cloud, Microsoft a réalisé des acquisitions significatives ces dernières années, notamment Fungible et Lumenisity.

En janvier 2023, Microsoft a acquis Fungible pour 190 millions de dollars. Fungible est spécialisée dans les unités de traitement de données (DPU), qui sont essentielles pour optimiser des tâches telles que le routage réseau, la sécurité et la gestion de la charge de travail.

En intégrant la technologie de Fungible, Microsoft améliore l’efficacité opérationnelle de ses centres de données Azure, réduisant ainsi les coûts et la consommation d’énergie tout en offrant des solutions plus rentables aux entreprises. Cette initiative permet à Microsoft de tirer parti de la demande croissante en services cloud robustes.

De même, en décembre 2022, Microsoft a acquis Lumenisity, une société connue pour sa technologie avancée en matière de fibre optique. Les innovations de Lumenisity améliorent la vitesse et l’efficacité des réseaux, ce qui les rend idéales pour traiter des volumes élevés de trafic de données.

 Logo, Triangle

Cette initiative renforce l’infrastructure réseau d’Azure, améliore les vitesses de transfert de données et réduit la latence, ce qui est particulièrement important pour des secteurs tels que l’Internet des objets (IoT) et les tâches basées sur l’intelligence artificielle, qui nécessitent une connectivité fiable et hautement performante.

Ensemble, ces acquisitions témoignent de l’engagement continu de Microsoft en faveur de l’innovation dans les services cloud et les infrastructures technologiques.

Microsoft renforce ses capacités en matière de cybersécurité grâce à l’acquisition de Miburo

Microsoft a également annoncé son accord pour acquérir Miburo, un expert de premier plan en cyberintelligence et en analyse des menaces étrangères. Cette acquisition renforce encore l’engagement de Microsoft à améliorer ses solutions de cybersécurité et ses capacités de détection des menaces.

Miburo, connu pour son expertise dans l’identification des cybermenaces et des campagnes de désinformation soutenues par des États, sera intégré à l’organisation Customer Security and Trust de Microsoft.

Cette acquisition renforcera les plateformes de détection des menaces existantes de Microsoft, permettant à l’entreprise de mieux faire face aux cybermenaces émergentes et aux opérations d’information sanctionnées par des États.

Les analystes de Miburo travailleront en étroite collaboration avec le Threat Intelligence Center de Microsoft, les scientifiques des données et d’autres équipes de sécurité afin d’étendre la capacité de l’entreprise à contrer les cyberattaques complexes et l’utilisation d’opérations d’information par des acteurs étrangers.

 Sphere, Ball, Football, Soccer, Soccer Ball, Sport, Text, Photography

La mission de Miburo, qui consiste à protéger les démocraties et à garantir l’intégrité des environnements informatiques, s’aligne étroitement sur les objectifs de Microsoft visant à protéger ses clients contre les influences malveillantes et l’extrémisme.

Il s’agit d’une décision stratégique qui renforce encore la position de Microsoft en tant que leader dans le domaine de la cybersécurité et consolide son investissement continu dans la lutte contre les défis mondiaux en constante évolution en matière de sécurité.

L’acquisition d’Activision Blizzard par Microsoft pour 68,7 milliards de dollars stimule le secteur des jeux vidéo et le Métaverse.

L’acquisition la plus ambitieuse de ces dernières années est sans doute celle d’Activision Blizzard, rachetée par Microsoft pour 68,7 milliards de dollars en 2022.

Grâce à cette acquisition, Microsoft renforce considérablement sa présence dans le secteur des jeux vidéo en intégrant des franchises populaires telles que Call of Duty, World of Warcraft et Candy Crush à son écosystème Xbox.

Cette transaction renforce non seulement la compétitivité de la Xbox face à la PlayStation de Sony, mais positionne également Microsoft comme un leader dans le Métaverse, en utilisant le jeu comme une porte d’entrée vers des expériences numériques immersives.

Cette opération reflète la transformation plus large du secteur des jeux vidéo, portée par le cloud gaming, la réalité virtuelle et la technologie blockchain.

Un avenir plus vert : les objectifs de Microsoft en matière de développement durable

Un autre élément essentiel de la stratégie commerciale de l’entreprise est son engagement en faveur du développement durable, qui servira de fondement à ses activités et à ses objectifs futurs.

Microsoft s’est fixé des objectifs ambitieux : devenir carbone négatif et positif en eau, atteindre le zéro déchet d’ici 2030 tout en protégeant les écosystèmes.

Avec une présence mondiale étendue à plus de 60 régions de centres de données, Microsoft tire parti de son infrastructure de cloud computing pour optimiser à la fois les performances et la durabilité.

L’approche de l’entreprise consiste à intégrer l’efficacité dans tous les aspects de son infrastructure, des centres de données aux serveurs sur mesure en passant par les puces électroniques.

Les accords d’achat d’électricité (PPA) constituent une stratégie clé des efforts de Microsoft en matière de développement durable. Ils visent à fournir davantage d’électricité sans carbone aux réseaux où l’entreprise opère.

En s’assurant plus de 34 gigawatts d’énergie renouvelable dans 24 pays, Microsoft ne se contente pas de faire progresser ses propres objectifs en matière de durabilité, mais soutient également la transition mondiale vers une énergie propre.

Microsoft prévoit d’importants investissements dans l’infrastructure de l’IA

Microsoft a également annoncé son intention d’investir 80 milliards de dollars dans la construction de centres de données destinés à prendre en charge les tâches liées à l’IA d’ici fin 2025. Une part importante de cet investissement, plus de la moitié, sera consacrée aux États-Unis.

À mesure que la technologie IA continue de se développer, Microsoft prévoit d’investir des milliards dans des processeurs graphiques (GPU) Nvidia pour former des modèles d’IA.

L’essor rapide de ChatGPT d’OpenAI, lancé fin 2022, a déclenché une course entre les entreprises technologiques pour développer leurs propres modèles d’IA générative.

Après avoir investi plus de 13 milliards de dollars dans OpenAI, Microsoft a intégré ses modèles d’IA dans des produits populaires tels que Windows et Teams, tout en développant ses services cloud via Azure.

La stratégie de croissance de Microsoft façonne l’avenir de l’innovation technologique.

Toutes ces acquisitions et investissements reflètent une stratégie cohérente visant à renforcer le rôle prépondérant de Microsoft dans des domaines technologiques clés.

De l’IA et des jeux vidéo à la cybersécurité et à l’infrastructure cloud, l’entreprise se positionne à l’avant-garde de la transformation numérique. Toutefois, si ces transactions offrent d’importantes opportunités de croissance, elles posent également des défis.

Assurer une intégration réussie, gérer la surveillance réglementaire et créer des synergies entre les entités acquises seront essentiels pour le succès à long terme de Microsoft. En conclusion, la stratégie de Microsoft souligne son engagement en faveur de l’innovation et du leadership technologique.

Depuis ses modestes débuts dans la conversion du BASIC pour Altair jusqu’à son statut actuel de leader dans le domaine du cloud et de l’IA, l’histoire de Microsoft est marquée par une réinvention constante et une influence durable à l’ère numérique.

En se diversifiant dans plusieurs secteurs, notamment les jeux vidéo, le cloud computing, l’IA et la cybersécurité, l’entreprise se dote d’une base solide pour sa croissance future.

Un modèle commercial numérique qui non seulement renforce la position de Microsoft sur le marché, mais joue également un rôle essentiel dans l’avenir de la technologie.

Pour plus d’informations sur ces sujets, visitez diplomacy.edu.Souhaitez-vous en savoir plus sur l’IA, les technologies et la diplomatie numérique ?  questionnez notre Chatbot Diplo!


DW Weekly #211 – DOJ targets Google’s ad business, Irish startup reveals quantum chip, Trump to extend TikTok deadline

 Logo, Text

2 – 9 May 2025


 Art, Person, Food, Fruit, Plant, Produce, Animal, Insect, Invertebrate, Book, Comics, Publication, Flower, Graphics

Dear readers,

Last week, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) moved to break up Google’s advertising technology business after a federal judge ruled that the company holds illegal monopolies across two markets. The DOJ is seeking the sale of Google’s AdX digital advertising marketplace and its DFP platform, which helps publishers manage their ad inventory.

The race for quantum computing is accelerating, as an Irish startup, Equal1, has unveiled the world’s first silicon-based quantum computer designed to integrate smoothly into existing data centres instead of requiring entirely new infrastructure.

President Donald Trump indicated he would extend the deadline set for the Chinese-owned company ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations if negotiations remain unfinished by 19 June.

Nvidia plans to redesign its AI chips to comply with tightened US export restrictions, aiming to retain its foothold in China instead of pulling back.

AMD expects to lose around US$1.5 billion in revenue this year because of new US export restrictions on advanced AI chips, which now require a license to be sold to China.

TikTok has been handed a €530 million ($600 million) fine by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) over data privacy violations involving user information transfers to China.

Meta has restricted access to the prominent Instagram news account @Muslim for users in India at the request of the Indian government, the account’s founder said on Wednesday.

Gold and Bitcoin increased as investors waited for the Federal Reserve’s next move. At the same time, rising global tensions and trade worries kept markets on edge.

The USD1 stablecoin, backed by Donald Trump’s World Liberty Financial (WLFI), has quickly become the seventh-largest stablecoin.

Elon Musk has suggested that AI should replace many federal government workers, criticising the US administration as bloated and inefficient.

Microsoft has confirmed it does not allow employees to use the DeepSeek app, citing data security and propaganda concerns.

For the main updates and reflections, consult the Radar and Reading Corner below.

DW Team


RADAR

Highlights from the week of 2 – 9 May 2025

mit uses photons to link quantum processors directly

Finnish physicists propose a breakthrough theory uniting gravity and quantum mechanics.

cryptocurrency law in the us senate no people realistic look no cryptocurrency logos

The GENIUS Act failed to advance in the US Senate, with 48 votes against it, delaying progress on stablecoin regulation.

central bank digital currency european union

Critics warn that EU’s new AML rules could push parts of the crypto economy into black markets.

Screenshot 2023 08 09 at 12.57.10

The future of quantum computing may depend on AI, and Nvidia is building the tools to make that future real, starting in Boston.

china flag

Origin Quantum unveils Tianji 4.0 to control 500-qubit quantum computers.

google AI cloud layoffs

Sales and partnerships team affected as Google streamlines global business operations.

CrowdStrike Logo 2023 Primary Black

500 roles axed, AI prioritised: CrowdStrike’s new strategy highlights both the promise and pitfalls of relying on automation in high-stakes security environments.

microsoft openai

Instead of increasing Microsoft’s role, OpenAI will limit its share of future revenue and maintain nonprofit oversight amid internal changes.

stock market 6693060 1280

Market trading unaffected despite website access limits

cyber 4748849 1280

Government institutions remained the top target for nation-state cyber threats.

Duolingo Luis von Ahn AI model

The company plans to phase out roles that AI can handle, drawing criticism online.


READING CORNER
technological inventions ai and reality photo by chatgpt

From liquid robots to mind-controlled speech, these inventions are challenging our understanding of what’s real and what’s science fiction.

Blog Part 7 %E2%80%98Converging realities

The metaverse is no longer a question of ‘what if’ – it’s already being built. Digital twins, embedded governance, and the collapse of the digital–physical divide mark the next frontier.

The evolving significance of soft power featured image
With increasing restrictions on the internet and fragmented digital landscapes, the traditional avenues for soft power are challenged.
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Digital Watch newsletter – Issue 99

April 2025 in Retrospect

Dear readers,

If March was ‘relatively quiet,’ April 2025 was a month when digital governance and diplomatic dynamics changed, from Geneva boardrooms to Silicon Valley courtrooms. 

In the first 100 days of his second term, President Donald Trump paused US funding to the UN, impacting agencies like the WTO and WHO and triggering a crisis in Geneva with job losses looming among international workers.

Tech policy during President Trump’s first 100 days was marked by continuity rather than change, as Dr Jovan Kurbalija detailed in his blog ‘Tech continuity in President Trump’s first 100 days,’ contrasting with more turbulent trade and environmental shifts. Trump’s tech policy prioritised policy reviews and public consultations on AI and digital issues, signalling steady evolution over radical disruption. 

President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, including a 10% baseline import tariff and up to 145% on specific Chinese goods, have significantly disrupted global trade, prompting retaliatory tariffs from China and causing widespread economic uncertainty.

The EU’s €700 million fines on Apple and Meta under the Digital Markets Act have further escalated transatlantic tensions, prompting US tariff threats and highlighting digital policy as a geopolitical tool.

TikTok has been handed a €530 million ($600 million) fine by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) over data privacy violations involving user information transfers to China. Platforms like X and TikTok are still facing mounting scrutiny over content moderation and data privacy.

Below, we break down the key trends that defined April, connecting the dots between the daily events and the broader digital trajectory.

Diplo’s analysis and reporting in an exceptional time

In a world where history unfolds at breakneck speed, the real challenge isn’t just keeping up—it’s making sense of it all. Every day brings a flood of information, but the bigger picture often gets lost in the noise. How do today’s developments shape long-term trends? How do they impact us as individuals, communities, businesses, and even humanity?

At Diplo, we bridge the gap between real-time updates and deeper insights. Our Digital Watch keeps a pulse on daily developments while connecting them to weekly, monthly, and yearly trends as illustrated bellow.

 Chart

From cybersecurity to e-commerce to digital governance, we track these shifts from daily fluctuations to long-term industry pivots.


In the April monthly issue, you can follow: AI and tech TRENDS | Developments in GENEVA | Dig.Watch ANALYSIS

Best regards,

DW Team


Trade tendencies and economic impacts

In April 2025, trade tensions and economic impacts dominated the global digital landscape, with the US-China trade war intensifying under President Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, including a 10% baseline import tariff and up to 145% on specific Chinese goods, significantly disrupting global trade, prompting retaliatory tariffs from China, and causing widespread economic uncertainty. The removal of the ‘de minimis’ exemption for e-commerce imports under $800 has imposed steep cost increases on small enterprises.

As detailed in Dr Jovan Kurbalija’s blog Tech continuity in President Trump’s first 100 days, Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda has led to a retreat from multilateral institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and World Health Organization (WHO), with cascading effects on jobs, diplomacy, and the digital governance frameworks these bodies uphold. With thousands of jobs at risk in Geneva, the epicentre of global health, trade, and diplomacy, these cuts are not merely a budgetary blow; they signal a seismic shift in how digital policies are developed and enforced amidst a fracturing geopolitical landscape.

Supply chain diversification amid economic uncertainty

The economic impacts of trade tensions drove significant supply chain shifts. The US export controls on AI chips, costing Nvidia $5.5 billion, have spurred Chinese innovation, with firms like DeepSeek launching efficient multimodal AI models. Apple is preparing to assemble all iPhones sold inside the USA in India by next year, aiming to produce over 60 million units annually in the country by 2026 to bypass US tariffs, reflecting a broader trend of diversification to mitigate tariff impacts. The tech industry has faced further pressure, with Microsoft scaling back AI data centre investments due to economic uncertainty, signalling a cautious approach to expansion amid trade volatility.

Geopolitical leverage through digital trade policies

President Donald Trump indicated he would extend the deadline set for the Chinese-owned company ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations again if negotiations remain unfinished by 19 June. The development follows China’s disagreement with Trump over the $54B deal due to the tariff rise.

Regulatory and legal framework tendencies

Robust enforcement of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA): The EU has imposed its first fines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), targeting Apple and Meta for anti-competitive practices. Apple faces a €500 million penalty for restricting app developers from directing users to alternative purchasing options outside its App Store. Meta was fined €200 million for its ‘consent or pay’ model, which required users to either consent to personalised ads or pay a fee for an ad-free experience on Facebook and Instagram. The fines, totalling €700 million, further escalated transatlantic tensions, prompting US tariff threats and highlighting digital policy as a geopolitical tool.​

European regulators are putting pressure on Big Tech, with Alphabet’s Google and Elon Musk’s X expected to be next in line for penalties under the EU’s tough new digital rules. The EU’s finalisation of a €1 billion fine against X for DSA violations, including demands for product changes to enhance content moderation. Furthermore, the EU requested additional data from X on its content moderation resources, reflecting a trend of deeper regulatory oversight into platform operations to ensure compliance with risk management and transparency requirements.

Meta is also facing fresh legal backlash in France as 67 French media companies representing over 200 publications filed a lawsuit alleging unfair competition in the digital advertising market.

TikTok, instead, has been handed a €530 million ($600 million) fine by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) over data privacy violations involving user information transfers to China.

Despite US President Donald Trump’s objections, the EU appears undeterred, viewing the DMA as a veiled tariff on American tech firms.

Meanwhile, in the USA: On the other side of the Atlantic, we have the Google antitrust court case in the USA, where the US Department of Justice (DOJ) added the AI-driven search monopoly accusation to its court file. Namely, the DOJ launched its opening arguments in a long-awaited landmark antitrust trial against Google, aimed at curbing the tech giant’s dominance in online search and preventing it from leveraging AI to entrench its position further. Simultaneously, the Federal Trade Commission initiated proceedings against Meta, challenging its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.

AI-driven web search tendency: Big Tech has revolutionised online search by introducing AI-powered engines, transforming how users navigate the vast digital landscape. Companies like Google and Microsoft have integrated advanced AI features, with Google’s AI Overviews summarising results at the top of search pages and Microsoft’s Copilot offering reasoning-driven answers through Bing, making searches faster and more intuitive. These innovations, driven by large language models, provide tailored, context-aware responses, moving beyond traditional link-based results to conversational, real-time insights. However, this shift raises concerns about data privacy, web search monopoly and the potential disruption of web traffic that fuels online businesses, as AI answers often reduce the need to visit external sites.

Global Implications and Future Trajectory

The trend is likely to influence global standards, with the EU’s actions setting a precedent for other nations, which are not comfortable with relaxed content moderation by tech platforms.  

The involvement of the US government remains a possibility, given the transatlantic tensions and the potential for reciprocal regulatory actions.

For more information on cybersecurity, digital policies, AI governance and other related topics, visit diplomacy.edu.


TECHNOLOGY

April 2025 has been a month of legal battles over digital governance and global trade tensions, along with the growing tendency of competition regulation in the technology sector.

Google’s AI chatbot Gemini has reached 350 million monthly active users and 35 million daily users as of March 2025, according to court documents revealed during an ongoing antitrust trial.

A controversial new startup called Cluely has secured $5.3 million in seed funding to expand its AI-powered tool designed to help users ‘cheat on everything,’ from job interviews to exams.

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has announced its intention to share the technology behind its internal inference engine, a move aimed at enhancing collaboration within the open-source AI community.

Meta’s latest open-source language model, Llama 4 Maverick, has ranked poorly on a widely used AI benchmark after the company was criticised for initially using a heavily modified, unreleased version to boost its results.

GOVERNANCE

In his blog post ‘Tech continuity in President Trump’s first 100 days,’ Jovan Kurbalija highlights that Trump’s approach to technology remained remarkably stable despite political turbulence in trade and environmental policy.

The European Commission is facing growing criticism after a joint investigation revealed that Big Tech companies had disproportionate influence over the drafting of the EU’s Code of Practice on General Purpose AI.

The UN faces renewed financial uncertainty as Donald Trump’s administration reviews all US support for international organisations. Trump has already paused funding across multiple UN agencies and withdrawn from bodies like the World Health Organisation and the Human Rights Council.

The Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a new global initiative jointly launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Microsoft has unveiled a set of five digital commitments aimed at supporting Europe’s technological and economic future.

Google has announced a partnership with PJM Interconnection, the largest electricity grid operator in North America, to deploy AI aimed at reducing delays in connecting new power sources to the grid.

Microsoft has announced it is ‘slowing or pausing’ some data centre construction projects, including a $1 billion plan in Ohio, amid shifting demand for AI infrastructure.

LEGAL

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, may soon be forced to split into separate entities, with its Chrome browser emerging as a particularly attractive target.

The European Commission has fined tech giants Apple and Meta a combined €700 million, marking the first penalties under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Former Facebook executive Sarah Wynn-Williams has accused Meta of compromising US national security to grow its business in China.

The US House Financial Services Committee has passed a bill aimed at regulating stablecoins, moving it to a full House vote.

ECONOMY

President Donald Trump has signed executive orders easing his controversial 25% tariffs on automobiles and parts, aiming to relieve pressure on carmakers struggling with rising costs.

The United Kingdom and the USA are set to strengthen their collaboration in advancing cryptocurrency adoption.

Fast fashion giants Temu and Shein have warned US shoppers to expect price hikes from next week, as sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports come into effect under Donald Trump’s trade policy.

The team behind the Trump-themed meme coin on Solana has withdrawn $4.6 million in USDC just days before a massive token unlock.

Paul Atkins has officially been sworn in as the 34th Chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Known for his pro-crypto stance, Atkins is expected to bring much-needed clarity to digital asset regulations.

OpenAI has expressed interest in acquiring Google’s Chrome browser if it were to be made available, viewing it as a potential boost for its AI platform, ChatGPT.

Cryptocurrency firms are increasingly merging with traditional finance (TradFi), reflecting a growing synergy between the two sectors. Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, noted that both crypto exchanges and TradFi players are seeking to bridge the gap between the two sectors.

A report from El Salvador’s central bank shows that only 11% of registered Bitcoin service providers are currently operational.

Moscow is set to host the Global Blockchain Forum 2025 from 23-24 April, attracting over 15,000 crypto enthusiasts worldwide.

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a cryptocurrency project backed by the Trump family, has added 4.89 million SEI tokens to its portfolio.

Panama City has announced that it will accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDC and Tether as payment for public services.

AMD has warned that new US government restrictions on exporting AI chips to China and several other countries could materially affect its earnings.

Global stock markets experienced a significant surge following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 90-day suspension on tariffs for several countries.

Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) released a discussion paper on 10 April, titled ‘Examining the Structure of Regulatory Frameworks Related to Crypto Assets’.

SECURITY

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has extended its contract with the MITRE Corporation to continue operating the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) program for an additional 11 months.

Adyen fell victim to three coordinated DDoS attacks on Monday evening, severely disrupting debit card and online payments.

Hackers linked to Russia are refining their techniques to infiltrate Microsoft 365 accounts, according to cybersecurity firm Volexity. Their latest strategy targets non-governmental organisations (NGOs) associated with Ukraine by exploiting OAuth, a protocol used for app authorisation without passwords.

Chinese authorities have accused three alleged US operatives of orchestrating cyberattacks on national infrastructure during the Asian Games in Harbin this February.

Between 7 and 11 April, representatives from 20 allied governments and national agencies participated in a NATO-led exercise designed to strengthen mutual support in the cyber domain.

The launch of DeepSeek, a Chinese-developed LLM, has reignited long-standing concerns about AI, national security, and industrial espionage.

Japan has passed the Active Cyber Defence Bill, which permits the country’s military and law enforcement agencies to undertake pre-emptive measures in response to cyber threats.

DEVELOPMENT

The European Commission is ramping up enforcement of its Digital Services Act (DSA) by hiring 60 more staff to support ongoing investigations into major tech platforms. Despite beginning probes into companies such as X, Meta, TikTok, AliExpress and Temu since December 2023, none have concluded.

Google is offering a 71% discount on its business apps package to US federal agencies as part of a new agreement with the General Services Administration (GSA).

SOCIO-CULTURAL

The AI race between China and the USA shifts to classrooms. As AI governance expert Jovan Kurbalija highlights in his analysis of global AI strategies, two countries see AI literacy as a ‘strategic imperative’.

Meta will soon prevent children under 16 from livestreaming on Instagram unless their parents explicitly approve.

ChatGPT’s user base has doubled in recent weeks, with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman estimating up to 800 million people now use the platform weekly.

A wave of protest has hit Meta’s London headquarters as authors and publishing professionals gather to voice their outrage over the tech giant’s reported use of pirated books to develop AI tools.

AI may seem like a modern marvel, but its foundations stretch back to early 20th-century philosophical thought, particularly to the Lwów–Warsaw School of Philosophy. In a recent blog by Jovan Kurbalija, Executive Director of Diplo, he highlights how this influential movement, established by Kazimierz Twardowski and active between the world wars, made groundbreaking contributions to logic, semantics, and analytical philosophy—fields that underpin today’s AI systems.

For more information on cybersecurity, digital policies, AI governance and other related topics, visit diplomacy.edu.


US funding cuts threaten the UN’s future and Geneva’s role as a global hub

Under President Donald Trump, sweeping US funding cuts have sent shockwaves across the UN system, jeopardising operations at key Geneva-based organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). With the US previously contributing approximately $18 billion annually to the UN system, including $13 billion in 2023 alone, Trump’s freeze and review of UN funding have triggered deep structural crises. WHO faces a dramatic budget shortfall of up to 45% for 2026-2027 after losing around $1.2 billion due to the US exit in January, prompting plans to downsize its staff and operational structure significantly. The WTO, marking its 30th anniversary amidst escalating global trade tensions fuelled by US tariffs, faces existential challenges, as Trump’s preference for bilateral negotiations undermines the multilateral trade framework.

In Geneva, home to 29,000 international workers, fears are mounting as the UN considers moving thousands of positions to lower-cost locations. New York and Geneva, the UN’s most expensive duty stations, must identify posts for potential relocation by 2026. This move has sparked anxiety among staff and host states alike, with unions protesting the rapid pace and lack of transparency in the decision-making process. Cities such as Nairobi, Vienna, Bonn, and Valencia stand to gain roles relocated from Geneva and New York, further fragmenting the UN’s workforce. Switzerland, heavily invested in Geneva’s role as an international hub, has expressed deep concerns over the potential loss of institutional knowledge and operational efficiency.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s tariff policies, including reciprocal tariffs reaching up to 145% against China, further complicate the situation. The WTO has warned that these tariffs could significantly slow global trade growth, disrupting markets worldwide. Experts highlight that Trump’s bilateral approach to trade negotiations may destabilise the WTO’s multilateral trading system, as nations may feel pressured to enter direct negotiations with the US, thereby weakening collective bargaining power. With major UN agencies grappling with budget cuts, operational downsizing, and geopolitical tensions, the future of multilateral diplomacy, as well as Geneva’s status as a key international diplomatic centre, remains uncertain.


Tech continuity in President Trump’s first 100 days

Tech policy during President Trump’s first 100 days was marked by continuity rather than change, contrasting with more turbulent trade and environmental shifts. Only 9 of 139 executive orders (EOs) explicitly focused on technology. You can consult the EOS’ text and the AI agent below.

Trump’s tech policy prioritised policy reviews and public consultations on AI and digital issues, signalling steady evolution over radical disruption.

Policy continuity

Trump’s tech policy reinforces a business-centric approach consistent with a century-long US tech governance tradition.

The US mantra of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ underpins its tech policy, supporting the tech industry’s core interests. However, the EU and other nations push for digital sovereignty, challenging this status quo. This trend could be accelerated with the spillover effect of US tariffs. As restrictions on goods, services, people, and capital intensify, the tension between a unified Internet and a fractured geopolitical landscape grows.

Four flashpoints encapsulate this Catch-22: digital service taxes, regulatory pressure, content rules and AI data access.

Content governance

The most notable policy shift occurred on 20 January 2025, with the Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship EO, which scaled back misinformation initiatives. Meta’s 2025 alignment with Elon Musk’s content moderation rollback at X (formerly Twitter) amplified this trend.

Key debates include:

Platform Liability: Section 230’s future remains uncertain. Despite the interest in bipartisan reform, Trump has yet to address it directly, though leveraging it to hold companies accountable could reshape his current content policy.

Global Tensions: The EU’s Digital Services Act and Australia’s social media restrictions clash with Trump’s deregulatory stance, risking diplomatic friction.

TikTok saga continues

The TikTok saga has shifted from content governance towards geopolitical relations with China. On 4 April 2025, ByteDance got an extension till mid-June to find a non-Chinese buyer. US tariffs on China further complicate TikTok negotiations.

AI: Aligning with global trends

On his first day in the office, Trump revoked Biden’s EO 14110, shifting from AI safety to a pro-business development focus. This shift also reflects a global change in AI governance from focusing on existential risks in 2023 to approaches balancing AI risks and opportunities. The 23 April 2025 EO on AI education introduced reforms to integrate AI into primary and university curricula.

A public consultation for a new AI Action Plan, with 8,755 comments, highlighted priorities: OpenAI emphasised the ideological aspect of AI competition with China, Google focused on competitiveness, and Anthropic stressed safety and security.

Vice President Vance’s speech at the AI Summit in Paris underscored development over restrictive safety regulations, signalling U.S. resistance to global AI governance initiatives.

Cybersecurity: Policy continuity and focus on China

Continuity and reviewing are the main features of Trump’s cybersecurity policies. The main major shift is explicitly excluding ‘cognitive infrastructure’ (e.g., misinformation, fake news) from cybersecurity realms and focusing on protecting technical infrastructure from cyber-risks.

Internationally, export controls on China persisted, but Russia was removed from the cyber-threat list, aligning with the US’s overall geopolitical shift.

Digital economy: tariffs, taxes, regulations, and de minimis

Although the first 100 days did not bring any major developments in tech or the economy, the new set of tariffs introduced on 6th April could have the tech industry as ‘collateral damage’. It seems unlikely that the free flow of data—key for the tech sector—will remain possible if there are restrictions on the movement of other pillars of the modern economy: goods, services, people, and capital. With the current pause in introducing US tariffs, there will be more time to review risks on digital networks and the internet.

Apart from tariff tensions, the digital economy will be affected by the introduction of digital services taxes (DSTs). After failed OECD digital tax negotiations, many countries started implementing DST, ensuring that tech companies contribute to the local economies they profit from. France has imposed a 3 percent tax and the UK a 2 percent tax on revenue generated by their citizens’ use of search engines, social media platforms, and other e-services.

The US retaliated with counter-tariffs under Section 301 of the US Trade Act against Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Türkiye, and the UK. The Trump administration threatened to escalate countermeasures under Section 891 of the same Act, specifying double corporate taxes on firms from jurisdictions that tax US companies.

In the case of a trade war, it is also likely that countries will apply more stringent regulatory pressure against tech firms. Some interpret the EU’s measures against Meta and Facebook in this context.

On 2 April, Trump signed EO 14257, ending the de minimis exemption that allowed customs- and tax-free importation of goods under a certain value threshold. The new regulation will considerably impact Chinese companies such as Temu, which exported some US $240 billion in direct-to-consumer trade worldwide in 2024, accounting for 7 percent of its overseas sales and contributing 1.3 percent of China’s GDP.

Tariffs, taxes, and regulatory pressure are likely to lead to the fragmentation of the global digital economy. Economic fragmentation may trigger technical fragmentation through increased traffic filtering and divergent standards in a cascading effect. In the most radical scenario, such trends could result in the Internet splitting into separate, non-interoperable systems.

Cryptocurrencies: New dawn

Rewarding crypto industry support in the election campaign, Trump started with deregulation and crypto-friendly policies. EO 14178 (23 Jan 2025) revoked Biden’s crypto limits, banned a central bank digital currency, and established a regulatory working group. The 6 March 2025 EO created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, allowing the Treasury to hold confiscated digital assets. These moves, while bold, raise concerns about market volatility and policy conflicts.

UN and US digital diplomacy

US digital diplomacy reflects the broader shift in Trump’s geopolitical strategy. For example, rapprochement with Russia led to a UN statement removing Russia from the list of nations designated as cyber threats. In the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development, the US voted against the proposed resolution because of references to non-technical issues, including sustainable development goals (SDGs) and climate and gender rights.

Another signal of US priorities is the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) exclusion from organisations facing significant cuts to American funding, except for one small project. Analysts, including those at Geneva Solutions, attribute this to the ITU’s potential role in providing regulatory certainty for initiatives like Elon Musk’s space exploration ventures.

Conclusion: Continuity with international challenges

While Trump’s presidency may bring some shifts in tech policy, particularly around content regulation and AI, it will be shaped by the long-term continuity of the US tech policy prioritising private-sector innovation and resisting international regulatory efforts.

However, maintaining this approach will require navigating growing tensions with the EU, China, and other countries that aim to increase their digital sovereignty, including data flow and economic gains from the Internet economy. 

Thus, Trump’s tech presidency will be less about regulatory revolution and more about preserving the status quo. 

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.


Meta hosted its first-ever LlamaCon, a high-profile developer conference centred around its open-source language models. Timed to coincide with the release of its Q1 earnings, the event showcased Llama 4, Meta’s newest and most powerful open-weight model yet.

The message was clear – Meta wants to lead the next generation of AI on its own terms, and with an open-source edge. Beyond presentations, the conference represented an attempt to reframe Meta’s public image.

Once defined by social media and privacy controversies, Meta is positioning itself as a visionary AI infrastructure company. LlamaCon wasn’t just about a model. It was about a movement Meta wants to lead, with developers, startups, and enterprises as co-builders.

By holding LlamaCon the same week as its earnings call, Meta strategically emphasised that its AI ambitions are not side projects. They are central to the company’s identity, strategy, and investment priorities moving forward. This convergence of messaging signals a bold new chapter in Meta’s evolution.

The rise of Llama: From open-source curiosity to strategic priority

When Meta introduced LLaMA 1 in 2023, the AI community took notice of its open-weight release policy. Unlike OpenAI and Anthropic, Meta allowed researchers and developers to download, fine-tune, and deploy Llama models on their own infrastructure. That decision opened a floodgate of experimentation and grassroots innovation.

Now with Llama 4, the models have matured significantly, featuring better instruction tuning, multilingual capacity, and improved safety guardrails. Meta’s AI researchers have incorporated lessons learned from previous iterations and community feedback, making Llama 4 an update and a strategic inflexion point.

Crucially, Meta is no longer releasing Llama as a research novelty. It is now a platform and stable foundation for third-party tools, enterprise solutions, and Meta’s AI products. That is a turning point, where open-source ideology meets enterprise-grade execution.

Zuckerberg’s bet: AI as the engine of Meta’s next chapter

Mark Zuckerberg has rarely shied away from bold, long-term bets—whether it’s the pivot to mobile in the early 2010s or the more recent metaverse gamble. At LlamaCon, he clarified that AI is now the company’s top priority, surpassing even virtual reality in strategic importance.

He framed Meta as a ‘general-purpose AI company’, focused on both the consumer layer (via chatbots and assistants) and the foundational layer (models and infrastructure). Meta CEO envisions a world where Meta powers both the AI you talk to and the AI your apps are built on—a dual play that rivals Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI.

This bet comes with risk. Investors are still sceptical about Meta’s ability to turn research breakthroughs into a commercial advantage. But Zuckerberg seems convinced that whoever controls the AI stack—hardware, models, and tooling—will control the next decade of innovation, and Meta intends to be one of those players.

A costly future: Meta’s massive AI infrastructure investment

Meta’s capital expenditure guidance for 2025—$60 to $65 billion—is among the largest in tech history. These funds will be spent primarily on AI training clusters, data centres, and next-gen chips.

That level of spending underscores Meta’s belief that scale is a competitive advantage in the LLM era. Bigger compute means faster training, better fine-tuning, and more responsive inference—especially for billion-parameter models like Llama 4 and beyond.

However, such an investment raises questions about whether Meta can recoup this spending in the short term. Will it build enterprise services, or rely solely on indirect value via engagement and ads? At this point, no monetisation plan is directly tied to Llama—only a vision and the infrastructure to support it.

Economic clouds: Revenue growth vs Wall Street’s expectations

Meta reported an 11% year-over-year increase in revenue in Q1 2025, driven by steady performance across its ad platforms. However, Wall Street reacted negatively, with the company’s stock falling nearly 13% following the earnings report, because investors are worried about the ballooning costs associated with Meta’s AI ambitions.

Despite revenue growth, Meta’s margins are thinning, mainly due to front-loaded investments in infrastructure and R&D. While Meta frames these as essential for long-term dominance in AI, investors are still anchored to short-term profit expectations.

A fundamental tension is at play here – Meta is acting like a venture-stage AI startup with moonshot spending, while being valued as a mature, cash-generating public company. Whether this tension resolves through growth or retrenchment remains to be seen.

Global headwinds: China, tariffs, and the shifting tech supply chain

Beyond internal financial pressures, Meta faces growing external challenges. Trade tensions between the US and China have disrupted the global supply chain for semiconductors, AI chips, and data centre components.

Meta’s international outlook is dimming with tariffs increasing and Chinese advertising revenue falling. That is particularly problematic because Meta’s AI infrastructure relies heavily on global suppliers and fabrication facilities. Any disruption in chip delivery, especially GPUs and custom silicon, could derail its training schedules and deployment timelines.

At the same time, Meta is trying to rebuild its hardware supply chain, including in-house chip design and alternative sourcing from regions like India and Southeast Asia. These moves are defensive but reflect how AI strategy is becoming inseparable from geopolitics.

Llama 4 in context: How it compares to GPT-4 and Gemini

Llama 4 represents a significant leap from Llama 2 and is now comparable to GPT-4 in a range of benchmarks. Early feedback suggests strong performance in logic, multilingual reasoning, and code generation.

However, how it handles tool use, memory, and advanced agentic tasks is still unclear. Compared to Gemini 1.5, Google’s flagship model, Llama 4 may still fall short in certain use cases, especially those requiring long context windows and deep integration with other Google services.

But Llama has one powerful advantage – it’s free to use, modify, and self-host. That makes Llama 4 a compelling option for developers and companies seeking control over their AI stack without paying per-token fees or exposing sensitive data to third parties.

Open source vs closed AI: Strategic gamble or masterstroke?

Meta’s open-weight philosophy differentiates it from rivals, whose models are mainly gated, API-bound, and proprietary. By contrast, Meta freely gives away its most valuable assets, such as weights, training details, and documentation.

Openness drives adoption. It creates ecosystems, accelerates tooling, and builds developer goodwill. Meta’s strategy is to win the AI competition not by charging rent, but by giving others the keys to build on its models. In doing so, it hopes to shape the direction of AI development globally.

Still, there are risks. Open weights can be misused, fine-tuned for malicious purposes, or leaked into products Meta doesn’t control. But Meta is betting that being everywhere is more powerful than being gated. And so far, that bet is paying off—at least in influence, if not yet in revenue.

Can Meta’s open strategy deliver long-term returns?

Meta’s LlamaCon wasn’t just a tech event but a philosophical declaration. In an era where AI power is increasingly concentrated and monetised, Meta chooses a different path based on openness, infrastructure, and community adoption.

The company invests tens of billions of dollars without a clear monetisation model. It is placing a massive bet that open models and proprietary infrastructure can become the dominant framework for AI development.

Meta is facing a major antitrust trial as the FTC argues its Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions were made to eliminate competition rather than foster innovation.

Meta’s move positions it as the Android of the LLM era—ubiquitous, flexible, and impossible to ignore. The road ahead will be shaped by both technical breakthroughs and external forces—regulation, economics, and geopolitics.

Whether Meta’s open-source gamble proves visionary or reckless, one thing is clear – the AI landscape is no longer just about who has the most innovative model. It’s about who builds the broadest ecosystem.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!


From GPT-4 to 4.5: What has changed and why it matters

In March 2024, OpenAI released GPT-4.5, the latest iteration in its series of large language models (LLMs), pushing the boundaries of what machines can do with language understanding and generation. Building on the strengths of GPT-4, its successor, GPT-4.5, demonstrates improved reasoning capabilities, a more nuanced understanding of context, and smoother, more human-like interactions.

What sets GPT-4.5 apart from its predecessors is that it showcases refined alignment techniques, better memory over longer conversations, and increased control over tone, persona, and factual accuracy. Its ability to maintain coherent, emotionally resonant exchanges over extended dialogue marks a turning point in human-AI communication. These improvements are not just technical — they significantly affect the way we work, communicate, and relate to intelligent systems.

The increasing ability of GPT-4.5 to mimic human behaviour has raised a key question: Can it really fool us into thinking it is one of us? That question has recently been answered — and it has everything to do with the Turing Test.

The Turing Test: Origins, purpose, and modern relevance

In 1950, British mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing posed a provocative question: ‘Can machines think?’ In his seminal paper ‘Computing Machinery and Intelligence,’ he proposed what would later become known as the Turing Test — a practical way of evaluating a machine’s ability to exhibit intelligent behaviour indistinguishable from that of a human.

In its simplest form, if a human evaluator cannot reliably distinguish between a human’s and a machine’s responses during a conversation, the machine is said to have passed the test. For decades, the Turing Test remained more of a philosophical benchmark than a practical one.

Early chatbots like ELIZA in the 1960s created the illusion of intelligence, but their scripted and shallow interactions fell far short of genuine human-like communication. Many researchers have questioned the test’s relevance as AI progressed, arguing that mimicking conversation is not the same as true understanding or consciousness.

Despite these criticisms, the Turing Test has endured — not as a definitive measure of machine intelligence, but rather as a cultural milestone and public barometer of AI progress. Today, the test has regained prominence with the emergence of models like GPT-4.5, which can hold complex, context-aware, emotionally intelligent conversations. What once seemed like a distant hypothetical is now an active, measurable challenge that GPT-4.5 has, by many accounts, overcome.

How GPT-4.5 fooled the judges: Inside the Turing Test study

In early 2025, a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, provided the most substantial evidence yet that an AI could pass the Turing Test. In a controlled experiment involving over 500 participants, multiple conversational agents—including GPT-4.5, Meta’s LLaMa-3.1, and the classic chatbot ELIZA—were evaluated in blind text-based conversations. The participants were tasked with identifying whether they spoke to a human or a machine.

The results were astonishing: GPT-4.5 was judged to be human in 54% to 73% of interactions, depending on the scenario, surpassing the baseline for passing the Turing Test. In some cases, it outperformed actual human participants—who were correctly identified as human only 67% of the time.

That experiment marked the first time a contemporary AI model convincingly passed the Turing Test under rigorous scientific conditions. The study not only demonstrated the model’s technical capabilities—it also raised philosophical and ethical questions.

What does it mean for a machine to be ‘indistinguishable’ from a human? And more importantly, how should society respond to a world where AI can convincingly impersonate us?

Measuring up: GPT-4.5 vs LLaMa-3.1 and ELIZA

While GPT-4.5’s performance in the Turing Test has garnered much attention, its comparison with other models puts things into a clearer perspective. Meta’s LLaMa-3.1, a powerful and widely respected open-source model, also participated in the study.

It was identified as human in approximately 56% of interactions — a strong showing, although it fell just short of the commonly accepted benchmark to define a Turing Test pass. The result highlights how subtle conversational nuance and coherence differences can significantly influence perception.

The study also revisited ELIZA, the pioneering chatbot from the 1960s designed to mimic a psychotherapist. While historically significant, ELIZA’s simplistic, rule-based structure resulted in it being identified as non-human in most cases — around 77%. That stark contrast with modern models demonstrates how far natural language processing has progressed over the past six decades.

The comparative results underscore an important point: success in human-AI interaction today depends on language generation and the ability to adapt the tone, context, and emotional resonance. GPT-4.5’s edge seems to come not from mere fluency but from its ability to emulate the subtle cues of human reasoning and expression — a quality that left many test participants second-guessing whether they were even talking to a machine.

The power of persona: How character shaped perception

One of the most intriguing aspects of the UC San Diego study was how assigning specific personas to AI models significantly influenced participants’ perceptions. When GPT-4.5 was framed as an introverted, geeky 19-year-old college student, it consistently scored higher in being perceived as human than when it had no defined personality.

The seemingly small narrative detail was a powerful psychological cue that shaped how people interpreted its responses. The use of persona added a layer of realism to the conversation.

Slight awkwardness, informal phrasing, or quirky responses were not seen as flaws — they were consistent with the character. Participants were more likely to forgive or overlook certain imperfections if those quirks aligned with the model’s ‘personality’.

That finding reveals how intertwined identity and believability are in human communication, even when the identity is entirely artificial. The strategy also echoes something long known in storytelling and branding: people respond to characters, not just content.

In the context of AI, persona functions as a kind of narrative camouflage — not necessarily to deceive, but to disarm. It helps bridge the uncanny valley by offering users a familiar social framework. And as AI continues to evolve, it is clear that shaping how a model is perceived may be just as important as what the model is actually saying.

Limitations of the Turing Test: Beyond the illusion of intelligence

While passing the Turing Test has long been viewed as a milestone in AI, many experts argue that it is not the definitive measure of machine intelligence. The test focuses on imitation — whether an AI can appear human in conversation — rather than on genuine understanding, reasoning, or consciousness. In that sense, it is more about performance than true cognitive capability.

Critics point out that large language models like GPT-4.5 do not ‘understand’ language in the human sense – they generate text by predicting the most statistically probable next word based on patterns in massive datasets. That allows them to generate impressively coherent responses, but it does not equate to comprehension, self-awareness, or independent thought.

No matter how convincing, the illusion of intelligence is still an illusion — and mistaking it for something more can lead to misplaced trust or overreliance. Despite its symbolic power, the Turing Test was never meant to be the final word on AI.

As AI systems grow increasingly sophisticated, new benchmarks are needed — ones that assess linguistic mimicry, reasoning, ethical decision-making, and robustness in real-world environments. Passing the Turing Test may grab headlines, but the real test of intelligence lies far beyond the ability to talk like us.

Wider implications: Rethinking the role of AI in society

GPT-4.5’s success in the Turing Test does not just mark a technical achievement — it forces us to confront deeper societal questions. If AI can convincingly pass as a human in open conversation, what does that mean for trust, communication, and authenticity in our digital lives?

From customer service bots to AI-generated news anchors, the line between human and machine is blurring — and the implications are far from purely academic. These developments are challenging existing norms in areas such as journalism, education, healthcare, and even online dating.

How do we ensure transparency when AI is involved? Should AI be required to disclose its identity in every interaction? And how do we guard against malicious uses — such as deepfake conversations or synthetic personas designed to manipulate, mislead, or exploit?

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On a broader level, the emergence of human-sounding AI invites a rethinking of agency and responsibility. If a machine can persuade, sympathise, or influence like a person — who is accountable when things go wrong?

As AI becomes more integrated into the human experience, society must evolve its frameworks not only for regulation and ethics but also for cultural adaptation. GPT-4.5 may have passed the Turing Test, but the test for us, as a society, is just beginning.

What comes next: Human-machine dialogue in the post-Turing era

With GPT-4.5 crossing the Turing threshold, we are no longer asking whether machines can talk like us — we are now asking what that means for how we speak, think, and relate to machines. That moment represents a paradigm shift: from testing the machine’s ability to imitate humans to understanding how humans will adapt to coexist with machines that no longer feel entirely artificial.

Future AI models will likely push this boundary even further — engaging in conversations that are not only coherent but also deeply contextual, emotionally attuned, and morally responsive. The bar for what feels ‘human’ in digital interaction is rising rapidly, and with it comes the need for new social norms, protocols, and perhaps even new literacies.

We will need to learn not only how to talk to machines but how to live with them — as collaborators, counterparts, and, in some cases, as reflections of ourselves. In the post-Turing era, the test is no longer whether machines can fool us — it is whether we can maintain clarity, responsibility, and humanity in a world where the artificial feels increasingly real.

GPT-4.5 may have passed a historic milestone, but the real story is just beginning — not one of machines becoming human, but of humans redefining what it means to be ourselves in dialogue with them.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!


The start of a software empire

Microsoft, the American tech giant, was founded 50 years ago, on 4 April 1975, by Harvard dropout Bill Gates and his childhood friend Paul Allen. Since then, the company has evolved from a small startup into the world’s largest software company.

Its early success can be traced back to a pivotal deal in 1975 involving the Altair computer, which inspired the pair to launch the business officially.

That same drive for innovation would later secure Microsoft a breakthrough in 1980 when it partnered with IBM. A collaboration that was supplying the DOS operating system for IBM PCs, a move that turned Microsoft into a household name.

In 1986, Microsoft went public at $21 per share, according to the NASDAQ.  A year later, Gates popped up on the billionaire list, the youngest ever to hold the status at the time, at 31 years old.

Microsoft expands its empire

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Microsoft’s dominance in the software industry grew rapidly, particularly with the introduction of Windows 3.0 in 1990, which sold over 60 million copies and solidified the company’s control over the PC software market.

Microsoft, founded 50 years ago by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, evolved from a small startup to the world’s largest software company, revolutionising the tech landscape.

Over the decades, Microsoft has diversified its portfolio far beyond operating systems. Its Productivity and Business Processes division now includes the ever-popular Office Suite, which caters to both commercial and consumer markets, and the business-focused LinkedIn platform.

Equally significant is Microsoft’s Intelligent Cloud segment, led by its Azure Cloud Services, now the second-largest cloud platform globally, which has transformed the way businesses manage computing infrastructure.

The strategic pivot into cloud computing has been complemented by a range of other products, including SQL Server, Windows Server, and Visual Studio.

The giant under scrutiny

The company’s journey has not been without challenges. Its rapid rise in the 1990s attracted regulatory scrutiny, leading to high-profile antitrust cases and significant fines in both the USA and Europe.

Triggered by concerns over Microsoft’s growing dominance in the personal computer market, US regulators launched a series of investigations into whether the company was actively working to stifle competition.

The initial Federal Trade Commission probe was soon picked up by the Department of Justice, which filed formal charges in 1998. At the heart of the case was Microsoft’s practice of bundling its software, mainly Internet Explorer, with the Windows operating system.

 Flag, American Flag

Critics argued that this not only marginalised competitors like Netscape, but also made it difficult for users to install or even access alternative programs.

From Bill Gates to Satya Nadella

Despite these setbacks, Microsoft has continually adapted to the evolving technological landscape. When Steve Ballmer became CEO in 2000, some doubted his leadership, yet Microsoft maintained its stronghold in both business and personal computing.

In the early 2000s, the company overhauled its operating systems under the codename Project Longhorn.

The initiative led to the release of Windows Vista in 2007, which received mixed reactions. However, Windows 7 in 2009 helped Microsoft regain favour, while subsequent updates like Windows 8 and 8.1 aimed to modernise the user experience, especially on tablets.

The transition from Bill Gates to Steve Ballmer, and later to Satya Nadella in 2014, marked a new era of leadership that saw the company’s market capitalisation soar and its focus shift to cloud computing and AI.

A man in a suit and tie

Under Nadella’s stewardship, Microsoft has invested heavily in AI, including a notable $1 billion investment in OpenAI in 2019.

The strategic move, alongside the integration of AI features across its software ecosystem, from Microsoft 365 to Bing and Windows, signals the company’s determination to remain at the forefront of technological innovation.

Microsoft’s push for innovation through major acquisitions and investments

Microsoft has consistently demonstrated its commitment to expanding its technological capabilities and market reach through strategic acquisitions.

In 2011, Microsoft made headlines with its $8.5 billion acquisition of Skype, a move intended to rival Apple’s FaceTime and Google Voice by integrating Skype across Microsoft platforms like Outlook and Xbox.

 Airport, Terminal, Sign, Symbol, Airport Terminal, Text

Other strategic acquisitions played a significant role in Microsoft’s evolution. The company purchased LinkedIn, Skype, GitHub and Mojang, the studios behind Minecraft. In recent years, the company has made notable investments in key sectors, including cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, ΑΙ, and gaming.

One of the most significant acquisitions was Inflection AI in 2024. This deal bolstered Microsoft’s efforts to integrate AI into everyday applications. Personal AI tools, essential for both consumers and businesses, enhance productivity and personalisation.

The acquisition strengthens Microsoft’s position in conversational AI, benefiting platforms such as Microsoft 365, Azure AI, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which Microsoft heavily supports.

By enhancing its capabilities in natural language processing and user interaction, this acquisition allows Microsoft to offer more intuitive and personalised AI solutions, helping it compete with companies like Google and Meta.

Microsoft acquires Fungible and Lumenisity for cloud innovation

In a strategic push to enhance its cloud infrastructure, Microsoft has made notable acquisitions in recent years, including Fungible and Lumenisity.

In January 2023, Microsoft acquired Fungible for $190 million. Fungible specialises in data processing units (DPUs), which are crucial for optimising tasks like network routing, security, and workload management.

By integrating Fungible’s technology, Microsoft enhances the operational efficiency of its Azure data centres, cutting costs and energy consumption while offering more cost-effective solutions to enterprise customers. This move positions Microsoft to capitalise on the growing demand for robust cloud services.

Similarly, in December 2022, Microsoft acquired Lumenisity, a company known for its advanced fibre optic technology. Lumenisity’s innovations boost network speed and efficiency, making it ideal for handling high volumes of data traffic.

azure

The move has strengthened Azure’s network infrastructure, improving data transfer speeds and reducing latency, particularly important for areas like the Internet of Things (IoT) and AI-driven workloads that require reliable, high-performance connectivity.

Together, these acquisitions reflect Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to innovation in cloud services and technology infrastructure.

Microsoft expands cybersecurity capabilities with Miburo acquisition

Microsoft has also announced its agreement to acquire Miburo, a leading expert in cyber intelligence and foreign threat analysis. This acquisition further strengthens Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing its cybersecurity solutions and threat detection capabilities.

Miburo, known for its expertise in identifying state-sponsored cyber threats and disinformation campaigns, will be integrated into Microsoft’s Customer Security and Trust organisation.

The acquisition will bolster Microsoft’s existing threat detection platforms, enabling the company to better address emerging cyber threats and state-sanctioned information operations.

Miburo’s analysts will work closely with Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Center, data scientists, and other security teams to expand the company’s ability to counter complex cyber-attacks and the use of information operations by foreign actors.

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Miburo’s mission to protect democracies and ensure the integrity of information environments aligns closely with Microsoft’s goals of safeguarding its customers against malign influences and extremism.

A strategic move that further solidifies Microsoft’s position as a leader in cybersecurity and reinforces its ongoing investment in addressing evolving global security challenges.

Microsoft’s $68.7 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition boosts gaming and the metaverse

Perhaps the most ambitious acquisition in recent years was Activision Blizzard, which Microsoft acquired for $68.7 billion in 2022.

A close up of a device

With this purchase, Microsoft significantly expanded its presence in the gaming industry, integrating popular franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush into its Xbox ecosystem.

The acquisition not only enhances Xbox’s competitiveness against Sony’s PlayStation but also positions Microsoft as a leader in the metaverse, using gaming as a gateway to immersive digital experiences.

This deal reflects the broader transformation in the gaming industry driven by cloud gaming, virtual reality, and blockchain technology.

A greener future: Microsoft’s sustainability goals

Another crucial element of the company’s business strategy is its dedication to sustainability, which will serve as the foundation of its operations and future objectives.

Microsoft has set ambitious targets to become carbon negative and water positive and achieve zero waste by 2030 while protecting ecosystems.

With a vast global presence spanning over 60 data centre regions, Microsoft leverages its cloud computing infrastructure to optimise both performance and sustainability.

The company’s approach focuses on integrating efficiency into every aspect of its infrastructure, from data centres to custom-built servers and silicon.

A key strategy in Microsoft’s sustainability efforts is its Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), which aim to bring more carbon-free electricity to the grids where the company operates.

By securing over 34 gigawatts of renewable energy across 24 countries, Microsoft is not only advancing its own sustainability goals but also supporting the global transition to clean energy.

Microsoft plans major investment in AI infrastructure

Microsoft has also announced plans to invest $80 billion in building data centres designed to support AI workloads by the end of 2025. A significant portion of this investment, more than half, will be directed towards the USA.

As AI technology continues to grow, Microsoft’s spending includes billions on Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs) to train AI models.

The rapid rise of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, launched in late 2022, has sparked a race among tech companies to develop their own generative AI models.

openai GPT

Having invested more than $13 billion in OpenAI, Microsoft has integrated its AI models into popular products such as Windows and Teams, while also expanding its cloud services through Azure.

Microsoft’s growth strategy shapes the future of tech innovation

All these acquisitions and investments reflect a cohesive strategy aimed at enhancing Microsoft’s leadership in key technology areas.

From AI and gaming to cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of digital transformation. However, while these deals present significant growth opportunities, they also pose challenges.

Ensuring successful integration, managing regulatory scrutiny, and creating synergies between acquired entities will be key to Microsoft’s long-term success. In conclusion, Microsoft’s strategy highlights its dedication to innovation and technology leadership.

From its humble beginnings converting BASIC for Altair to its current status as a leader in cloud and AI, Microsoft’s story is one of constant reinvention and enduring influence in the digital age.

By diversifying across multiple sectors, including gaming, cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity, the company is building a robust foundation for future growth.

A digital business model that not only reinforces Microsoft’s market position but also plays a vital role in shaping the future of technology.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!


AI for SMEs – May 2025

AI for SMEs newsletter

Dear reader,

Please don’t delete this email … as we do with the avalanche of newsletters and updates often generated by AI. We invite you to discover why the ‘AI for SMEs’ newsletter is different and worth your time.


If you, like us, barely cope with receiving an avalanche of offers related to the latest AI applications or texts about how AI transforms jobs and businesses, this newsletter can be your ‘one-stop’ place for discovering trends and what matters in AI.

Who is behind ‘AI for SMEs’?

This newsletter is crafted by humans. Thus, it is inevitable to be ‘biased’. I am Jovan Kurbalija, and my ‘biases’ have been gathered since 1992 when I developed the first expert system, AI at the time. Since then, I have gone through many ‘AI winters and springs’ by developing new tools and writing on AI technology, philosophy, and governance.

My colleague, Sorina Teleantu, a renowned analyst of AI and digital governance, will bring her ‘bias’ of meticulous attention to detail and a straightforward approach to policy of avoiding hype and clichés.


How is the newsletter written?

While we express our views, our reflections are supported by data, statistics, and insights from others. We are transparent about when we use AI tools in our research and discussions. Our goal is to inspire you to leverage AI in a way that aligns with your values and the culture of your business.

In this newsletter, we try to ‘walk our talk’ of harnessing the power of AI while preserving our core humanity.


If you are still with us, let’s delve into our first issue of ‘AI for SMEs’ reflecting on the first four months of 2025 from technological, business, and governance perspectives.

Jovan Kurbalija, Editor


TECHNOLOGY

AI becomes Commodity

AI has transformed into an affordable commodity. Just a year ago, it was a mysterious technology confined to a few labs in Silicon Valley. Now, you can download AI tools for free and set up your own AI server or access one of the many AI agents available for writing, analysis, or creating images and videos. The rise of DeepSeek and AI agents marks a significant turning point in our history.

First, DeepSeek moment was reminiscent of the ‘Sputnik moment’ for AI, demonstrating that powerful AI can be developed with a fraction of the investment used by giants like OpenAI. Even if sceptics argue that DeepSeek’s costs are not as low as claimed, it is still at least ten times less expensive.

This DeepSeek moment has spurred the rapid development of open-source platforms, emerging almost daily in China and around the world. We are nearing a time when each of us could have our own AI model on our mobile phones—perhaps by the end of this year. AI for All will be another turning point in history!

Second, AI agents are now integrating AI into our daily tasks. They are less about groundbreaking technology and much more on human use. With AI, we shift from the genuineness of technological mastery to the empathy of the use of technology.

Think of neural networks and LLMs like the first car engines

 Antique Car, Car, Model T, Transportation, Vehicle, machine, Wheel
A silver and black sports car

Back in 1908, Henry Ford dropped a combustion engine into the Model T. Fast-forward 100 years: that same core tech still powers today’s sleek Lamborghinis. Sure, the body got faster, safer, and flashier—but under the hood? It’s still a combustion engine.

Large Language Models (LLMs) are the ‘engine’ of modern AI. Just like cars evolved from clunky Model Ts to self-driving tech, LLMs are morphing into AI agents, coding assistants, and smart assistants. But deep down? It’s still LLMs doing the heavy lifting.

Carmakers are now going electric. Similarly, AI might one day ditch LLMs for something totally new. But for now? We’re still cruising on the AI “engine” we invented decades ago.

Updates on Technology

meta AI assistant Llama 4 Zuckerberg

Meta AI integrates content from Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to make responses more personal.

hackers breach open source ai models

Businesses often lack policies to safeguard against AI vulnerabilities.

deep cogito

Deep Cogito launches hybrid AI models that switch between fast answers and deep reasoning, outperforming rivals like Meta and DeepSeek in early benchmarks.

amazon india beverly hills polo club Lifestyle equities trademark lawsuit

The new AI handles real conversations better, with a 4.2% word error rate across languages and a 1.09s response time, outperforming GPT-4o in noisy environments.

google 959059 1280

Despite the hype, analysts warn that AI agents are far from replacing human workers, and businesses need to carefully manage costs and complexity in their adoption.

Zhipu AI

Free AI agent from Zhipu claimed to surpass DeepSeek.

microsoft headquarters fdi

BitNet b1.58 2B4T beats several rival models on benchmarks and runs twice as fast on some tasks, requiring less memory and no GPU.

tyumen russiafebruary 10 2022 huawei logo scale 3 pro is chinese multinational networking telecommunications equipment services

Chinese AI firms are lining up to trial Huawei’s most advanced processor yet.


BUSINESS

The AI Sprint vs. Marathon

As AI becomes a commodity, you can launch your AI agent in an hour or even less. However, developing AI that truly reflects your organisation’s culture and needs requires much more time—about a year.

This gap between an hourly ‘sprint’ and an annual ‘marathon’ presents is in the core of AI business transformation. The excitement of installing your first agent often leads to celebratory announcements about joining the AI era. However, once the initial thrill fades, many realise that true AI involves a long process of fine-tuning data and training models for specific needs. Disappointments kick in, and many AI ‘sprint projects’ end up in the ‘AI graveyard’ of unused agents and platforms.

This can be avoided by realising early enough that AI transformation is much more about organisational change than implementation of technology per se.

After witnessing many AI ‘springs and winters’ since 1992, I developed ‘cognitive proximity’ focusing on knowledge, processes, and people. At Diplo, AI is developed organically as a part of our daily work on teaching, researching, or administering projects. New knowledge is created through an interplay between human and artificial intelligence.

Updates on Business

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Staff are paid not to work during the non-compete period.

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Despite featuring AI-generated visuals, Microsoft’s Surface ad has garnered little attention for its use of AI, with most viewers unaware of the technology behind it.

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Think AI is ready to run your office? One chaotic experiment proves it might not even survive a day at the front desk.

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AI chatbots have done little to affect wages and employment, according to a new study.

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Startup blends tech with human connection in recruitment.

GOVERNANCE

Need more lawyers than AI developers?

There’s both good and bad news for businesses in the realm of AI governance. The bad news is that you may need to hire more lawyers than developers to navigate the complex regulatory landscape. Following the media frenzy in 2023 about AI as an ‘existential risk’ to humanity, the EU enacted the EU AI Act, a strict regulation, while the Biden administration introduced an AI safety executive order.

The good news is that ‘bad news’ won’t be as bad. AI regulatory fewer is cooling as our understanding of AI and its risks is becoming more realistic. Many existing laws can be applied to AI to regulate AI risks for jobs, media impact, and health protection.

This shift is already noticeable. The EU is working to streamline the implementation of the comprehensive EU AI Act, while the Trump administration rolled back Biden’s executive orders, leaning towards a less regulated approach. Switzerland’s cautious, ‘wait and see’ strategy has proven beneficial, allowing the country to avoid hasty regulations that could stifle innovation and growth.

AI’s ‘existential risk’ should remain on our policy radar, but it should not dominate the way we develop and use AI!

Updates on Governance

Meta hub in London

Notable authors such as Kate Mosse and Tracy Chevalier are participating, with the demonstration organised by the Society of Authors (SoA).

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Digital payments now account for 35% of in-store purchases in Switzerland, surpassing cash for the first time.

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Researchers suggest tools could be developed to flag AI-generated news online.

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Meta faces backlash from authors, including Gerry Adams, after claims it used copyrighted books, possibly including works from pirated database LibGen, to develop its AI models.

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Video-sharing app had for years claimed it did not store European personal data on servers in China.

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As US courts merge twelve lawsuits accusing OpenAI and Microsoft of using copyrighted content without consent, protests erupt, and scrutiny intensifies.

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Amid rising recession fears and trade tensions, gold and the Swiss franc continue to outperform Bitcoin and other assets like US Treasury bonds.

DW Weekly #210 – Trump’s tech stability, UN funding cuts, and global AI shifts

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25 April – 2 May 2025


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Dear readers,

In the week behind us, we focused on Trump’s first 100 days of digital governance. Dr Jovan Kurbalija, in his blog ‘Tech continuity in President Trump’s first 100 days’, deems that Trump’s approach to technology remained remarkably stable despite political turbulence in trade and environmental policy.

Connected to Trump’s foreign policy is the UN situation. Namely, the UN faces renewed financial uncertainty as Donald Trump’s administration reviews all US support for international organisations.

The US president has instead proposed substantial reductions or even the elimination of federal income taxes once the full impact of import tariffs is realised. In a 27 April post on Truth Social, Trump revealed that the plan would primarily benefit individuals earning less than $200,000 annually. Trump has also signed executive orders easing his controversial 25% tariffs on automobiles and parts to relieve pressure on carmakers struggling with rising costs.

The European Commission faces growing criticism after a joint investigation revealed that Big Tech companies had disproportionate influence over drafting the EU’s Code of Practice on General Purpose AI.

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, may soon be forced to split into separate entities, with its Chrome browser emerging as a desirable target.

The UAE has announced the launch of its AI Academy, aiming to strengthen the country’s position in AI innovation both regionally and globally.

The United Kingdom and the United States are set to strengthen their collaboration in advancing cryptocurrency adoption.

Microsoft has unveiled a set of five digital commitments aimed at supporting Europe’s technological and economic future.

Intel is witnessing strong demand for its older Raptor Lake and Alder Lake processors, as buyers shy away from newer AI-enhanced chips like Meteor and Lunar Lake.

For the main updates and reflections, consult the Radar and Reading Corner below.

DW Team


RADAR

Highlights from the week of 25 – 2 May 2025

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As digital tensions rise globally, President Trump’s early tech agenda signals a strategic gamble that bets on tradition while the rest of the world pushes for transformation.

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The US government opposes the new AI Code, calling it anti-innovation. Critics say Big Tech had too much access.

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As the UN braces for possible funding upheavals, the future of global cooperation could hinge on decisions unfolding quietly behind closed doors in Washington.

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Ford, GM, and Stellantis welcome Trump’s tariff rollback as a step forward, though supply chain challenges remain.

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With a 65% market share, Chrome could reshape the tech landscape if sold. OpenAI, Yahoo and others are circling.

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Following backlash, OpenAI restores GPT-4o’s previous version and vows to avoid disingenuous praise in future.

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International cooperation is essential for success, with both countries aiming to set groundbreaking regulatory standards for the crypto industry.

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New data centre growth will double Microsoft’s European capacity between 2023 and 2027.

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As global powers invest in shaping the next generation of AI innovators, classrooms emerge as unexpected arenas where technology, diplomacy, and geopolitics converge.

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ChatGPT and Meta AI still lead in total user base.

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The PPP aims to overhaul digital asset laws, allowing non-profits to trade crypto and institutionalising corporate participation by Q2 of this year.


READING CORNER
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The competition between the US and China in AI education is emerging as a vital battleground amidst geopolitical tensions. Both nations prioritise AI education to prepare future generations for a transformative technological landscape.

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During President Trump’s first 100 days, technology policy exhibited continuity rather than disruption, focusing on AI and digital regulation characterised by incremental adjustments. 

meta ai

What happens when one of the world’s biggest tech giants bets its future not on control, but on giving its most powerful AI tools away for free?

post Weapons of Emotional Destruction

What if the internet’s true legacy isn’t connection, but emotional warfare? In 2015, Aldo Matteucci asked whether we’ve unleashed a fire that even Shiva could not contain.

UPCOMING EVENTS
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5 May 2025

May 2025 online courses | Diplo Academy Diplo Academy is excited to announce the start of four online courses on 5 May 2025:

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7 May 2025

 WSIS+20 review: What’s in it for Africa?  An expert-guided dialogue among diplomats | Dedicated exclusively to African Permanent Missions to the UN in Geneva.

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7 May 2025

Swiss Plateforme Tripartite: Meeting on WSIS+20 On 6 May, the Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) will host a virtual meeting on the WSIS+20