May 2026 in retrospect
Dear readers,
Pope Leo XIV has issued Magnifica Humanitas, a landmark encyclical setting out the Catholic Church’s position on AI. The document directly challenges the technocratic model of AI governance, warns against the concentration of power in a small number of technology companies, and questions transhumanist trajectories promoted by leading industry voices. We take a closer look at its key arguments.
Beyond this, AI developments continue to accelerate across policy, industry, and governance. In this edition, we are also experimenting with a new way of visualising AI-related developments, offering a more structured, accessible overview of key developments throughout the month.
Our snapshot of broader headlines goes beyond AI, with legal and cybersecurity developments continuing to dominate the agenda.
We also examine two high-level diplomatic summits held within weeks of each other, where China’s Xi Jinping hosted US President Donald Trump and later Russian President Vladimir Putin. Our focus is on the technology dimensions of these engagements, with a brief comparative look at how the two rounds of talks intersect and diverge.
Finally, we turn to Geneva, which saw a particularly active May across the digital and tech policy space. This edition provides a concise recap of key events and emerging developments from the city’s packed agenda.
AI governance in May
Magnifica humanitas: Human dignity in the age of AI
Pope Leo XIV has issued Magnifica Humanitas, a groundbreaking encyclical outlining the Catholic Church’s approach to AI.
To understand its significance, it is worth noting that an encyclical pastoral letter is a circular letter issued by the pope to the whole Roman Catholic Church on matters of doctrine, morals, or discipline. It is also aimed beyond the Church, often shaping global ethical and policy debates on major issues like inequality, war, the environment, and technology.
When critics objected to Pope Leo XIII publishing Rerum Novarum on society, the economy and politics, the Pope noted that the proclamation of the Gospel cannot overlook the concrete lives of people. This is the same logic behind Magnifica Humanitas.
Anchored in millennia of history, Magnifica Humanitas provides an important antidote to the AI discourse framed as inevitability: the race cannot be stopped, the market cannot be slowed, geopolitical competition cannot be escaped, and humans must simply follow.
The encyclical rejects this inevitability. It insists that technological futures should be shaped by our choices.
The encyclical frames AI governance through two contrasting metaphors: the Tower of Babel and the walls of New Jerusalem. Babel represents technological ambition without humility, reaching upward through ambition, control, and self-exaltation, only to produce fragmentation, confusion, and collapse. The Jerusalem wall metaphor offers a different vision. It is built piece by piece, through cooperation, solidarity, dialogue, and responsibility. Furthermore, it requires diplomacy rather than domination, patience rather than acceleration, and the common good rather than the race for supremacy.
Ultimately, Magnifica Humanitas can be boiled down to a choice between two metaphors: Babel and Jerusalem. The encyclical warns us about sleepwalking into Babel and offers guidance to reaching Jerusalem by drawing on the cognitive, emotional, and spiritual strengths that define us as human beings.
How to fix the ‘operating system’ of humanity. The encyclical frames humanity’s “operating system” as rooted in Axial Age traditions that defined human moral, rational, and spiritual identity, later refined through Enlightenment-era thought. It warns that transhumanism and posthumanism, driven by AI and bioengineering, risk recasting humans as entities to be optimised rather than inherently dignified beings. Magnifica Humanitas focuses on this key dilemma, removing all trappings of techno, business, and other narratives that dominate our communication space. It also calls to revisit the core of humanity’s ‘operating system’ centred around the life and dignity of humans, arguing that humans should not be ‘optimised’ in the same way as technologies.
The encyclical warns about the danger of regarding AI systems as neutral and objective, noting that technology takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate and use it.
Clarity on AI governance and accountability. On AI governance, the encyclical offers clarity. It challenges the technocratic paradigm, in which governance is treated as an expert exercise focused mainly on standards, risk management, and efficiency. Instead, the encyclical argues that AI governance must begin with human dignity and the common good. Decisions about AI should be made by the people and communities directly affected. Communities should not merely be consulted after rules and platforms have been set elsewhere. They must be able to shape, challenge, and correct the systems that impact their lives. This resonates strongly with the multistakeholder tradition in internet governance, and challenges both corporate monopoly and state-centric control.
Fresh look at human rights. The encyclical points to a paradox of our age: human rights are widely formally proclaimed, yet rapidly eroded to, among others, by technological progress. Through profiling, manipulating and overall technological optimising, people are increasingly treated as data points and parts of algorithmic patterns. Therefore, one of the encyclical’s most critical contributions is its renewed grounding of human rights to protect our core humanity in the AI era.
Disarming AI. A striking concept in the encyclical is the call to ‘disarm AI.’ This is not limited to the regulation of autonomous weapons or military systems, although those are urgent concerns. It is a wider call for cognitive, economic, and political disarmament. AI is becoming an instrument in geopolitical rivalry, commercial dominance, surveillance, propaganda, and social control. The encyclical challenges the assumption that the AI race is inevitable. It calls for AI to be developed as an enabling tool for humanity rather than as a weapon of power and war.
Slavery and colonialism in the AI era. Digital colonialism is another concern of the encyclical. Colonial powers no longer need to control territory. They can appropriate data, shape markets, control infrastructures, and extract value from human lives transformed into exploitable information. A genuinely post-colonial digital order would return agency to individuals and communities. It would give people not only access to their data but meaningful control over how that data is used, by whom, and for whose benefit.
How to deal with AI risks. Magnifica Humanitas provides an informed and impactful survey of AI risks. On existential risk, it departs from narratives centred on AGI or super-intelligence takeover, arguing instead that existential risks may emerge more gradually, and not necessarily from technology itself, but from those who own and operate AI systems. On exclusion risk, it warns against concentration of power in the hands of a few and exclusion of many, with monopolies taking epistemic, economic, and political forms. It highlights how opacity and lack of public oversight can produce dependencies, exclusions, manipulations, and inequalities, including through control over visibility, amplification, and behavioural influence. It also examines existing risks in jobs, the economy, disinformation, and education.
Language and culture in the AI era. The Pope warns that violence often begins with language: wars are preceded by wars of words. Here, AI plays the critical role in shaping culture as a generator of text, video and other communication artefacts. The encyclical, therefore, calls for renewed attention to truth, dialogue, and the moral ecology of language. AI poses the main risks of generating synthetic narratives, shallow persuasion, and automated distortion. The challenge is not only misinformation. It is the gradual erosion of shared reality.
Education in the age of immediacy. Magnifica Humanitas places great emphasis on education in the AI era, in line with the Catholic Church’s long teaching tradition. The encyclical identifies a key tension between the rapid access to information in the digital age and the inherently slow nature of learning. Information can be delivered instantly. Knowledge and even more wisdom require a lot of time. However, schools and universities are not prepared to address the tension between AI technology and human learning.
Impact of AI on nature and the environment. The encyclical also reminds us that nothing in the digital world is immaterial or magical. AI depends on physical infrastructures: data centres, energy grids, minerals, water, devices, cables, and supply chains. Current AI systems require enormous amounts of energy and water and place growing pressure on natural resources. The environmental cost of AI is therefore not external to the debate. A technology that claims to advance humanity cannot be evaluated only by speed, accuracy, or profitability. It must also be judged by its impact on the planet, on vulnerable communities, and on future generations.
Why Magnifica Humanitas matters. The historic importance of Magnifica Humanitas lies in its attempt to shift the AI debate from technical management to civilisational reflection.
It challenges the concentration of power in a few companies. It questions transhumanist and posthumanist narratives that treat the human person as obsolete or upgradeable. It insists that AI governance must be rooted in dignity, subsidiarity, solidarity, justice, and the common good. It provides new perspectives on the risks of digital slavery, colonialism, militarisation, manipulation, and anthropological regression.
Most importantly, it restores moral agency. Metaphorically speaking, we are not condemned to build a Tower of Babel. We can choose to build the walls of the new Jerusalem.
This text is an adaptation of Dr Jovan Kurbalija’s analysis of Magnifica Humanitas, which will be expanded in the coming days. To receive in-depth analysis, you can register here.
Beyond AI: The developments that made waves in May
Beyond AI: The developments that made waves in May
Technologies
Norway joined the Pax Silica initiative, which focuses on secure AI, semiconductor, and critical raw materials supply chains. Norwegian officials said participation could improve market access for domestic companies operating in advanced technological sectors and strengthen economic security cooperation with strategic partners.
The European Commission adopted a proposal for the future allocation of the EU’s 2 GHz mobile satellite services spectrum band beyond 2027. The spectrum is increasingly viewed as a strategic asset for both commercial connectivity and defence-related communications, particularly for direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services and critical communications infrastructure. Under the proposal, one-third of the spectrum would be reserved for governmental, security, and military use, tied to the EU’s IRIS² secure connectivity programme. The remaining two-thirds would support commercial services, but half of that capacity would be reserved specifically for EU operators entering the market, while the rest would remain open to both EU and non-EU companies.
Cybersecurity
The EU has adopted common templates for cybersecurity incident reporting across the bloc to reduce administrative burdens and simplify compliance for companies required to report cybersecurity incidents under NIS2. The Commission now plans to adopt the templates through an implementing act, which would make them mandatory for all member states.
The Council of the European Union has extended restrictive measures against individuals and entities involved in cyber-attacks threatening the EU and its member states until 18 May 2027. The framework allows the EU to impose targeted sanctions on persons or entities involved in significant cyber-attacks that constitute an external threat to the Union or its member states. Measures can also be imposed in response to cyber-attacks against third countries or international organisations, where they support Common Foreign and Security Policy objectives.
Germany’s federal cabinet has approved draft legislation that would expand cyber defence capabilities for three federal agencies, the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), and the Federal Police (Bundespolizei). Authorities would be able to block or disrupt software and server infrastructure used in cyberattacks, including systems located outside Germany. The BSI would also receive expanded authority to collect, store, and analyse data to detect activities indicative of attack preparation.
YouTube, Snap, TikTok, and Meta have agreed to settle a landmark lawsuit brought by Kentucky’s Breathitt County School District, which accused them of designing algorithmic systems and features—such as infinite scrolling and engagement-driven recommendation loops—that foster compulsive use among young users and place additional financial and educational burdens on schools. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed. The case was scheduled to go to trial on 12 June, which will now not proceed.
In parallel, the UK’s Ofcom has reported that almost all 8-17-year-olds in the UK are online (99%). reinforcing its push for stronger platform accountability. It wants child safety to be embedded into product design from the outset, with regulators informed in advance of new features to assess potential risks. However, the regulator remains concerned that some platforms are not doing enough to make feeds safer and is sceptical that age-13 minimum policies effectively prevent underage access.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has issued guidance on how organisations should assess and implement age assurance tools for websites and online services. The OPC states that age assurance should only be used where there is a clear legal requirement or a demonstrable risk of harm to children. It emphasises that organisations must evaluate whether alternative, less intrusive measures could address these risks before adopting such systems.
Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has published the Child Protection Code and Risk Mitigation Code under the Online Safety Act 2025. The new rules require stronger safeguards for young users on online platforms, including stricter age-related controls and enhanced content governance obligations for service providers. Malaysia also started banning children under 16 from creating social media accounts. Major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are required to verify users’ ages against government records, with penalties of up to 10 million ringgit (around US$2.5 million) for non-compliance. Existing users will be subject to age verification checks during a 6-month transition period.
Meanwhile, Sweden is also considering a social media ban for young users. In an interim report submitted to the Minister of Social Affairs, government investigators appointed last year have recommended that under-15s should be banned from platforms that enable users to discover, connect with, and communicate with each other, or where content can be shared or discovered.
The G7 Digital and Technology Ministers agreed on a Common Set of Principles defining a safer and more secure digital space for minors. The ministers emphasise effective age assurance, safety-by-design platform features, including default protections, parental controls, and recommendation systems that limit exposure to harmful or addictive content. They also call for strong prevention and enforcement against severe harms such as child sexual abuse material and non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated forms, alongside better support for victims. In parallel, they emphasise empowering parents with usable control tools, strengthening digital and AI literacy for minors, improving transparency and user control over data, and ensuring platforms systematically assess, mitigate, and report risks. The principles also stress coordinated action between governments, industry, researchers, educators, and civil society.
Human rights
As of 8 May, end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram is officially over. Meta has switched off the feature globally, abandoning plans to expand the privacy technology across the platform after years of promoting encrypted communication as the future of messaging.
Apple and Meta are opposing Canada’s proposed Bill C-22, which they say could force companies to weaken encryption or build government-access mechanisms into their products. Canadian authorities argue the bill would help law enforcement respond more quickly to security threats.
After 88 days of nationwide shutdown, internet connectivity has been partially restored in Iran, ending one of the longest full-scale blackouts in modern history. The shutdown was imposed after escalating conflict dynamics and justified by authorities on security grounds. NetBlocks reported that connectivity has largely returned, but that metrics indicate that users still face heavy filtering, including new restrictions on messaging and app stores.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government and the FSB to ensure uninterrupted access to essential medical, information, and payment services during periods of restricted mobile internet in Russia. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov are to report back on their progress by 1 July.
Legal
The European Commission has presented a European Technological Sovereignty Package to strengthen Europe’s capacity in semiconductors, AI, cloud infrastructure, and open-source technologies. The package includes two legislative proposals, the Chips Act 2.0 and the Cloud and AI Development Act, alongside an Open Source Strategy and a Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in Energy. The proposed Chips Act 2.0, which aims to expand Europe’s semiconductor capabilities and support the next generation of computing infrastructure needed for AI and other advanced technologies. The proposed Cloud and AI Development Act focuses on strengthening Europe’s cloud and AI infrastructure, including data centre capacity, as demand for computing resources rises with the spread of AI. Alongside the legislative proposals, the Commission introduced an Open Source Strategy to support Europe’s software ecosystem and reduce reliance on closed or externally controlled technologies. The Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in Energy aims to support the use of digital tools and AI in the energy sector while contributing to a more sustainable digital future.
China has updated its trade secret protection rules to explicitly include digital assets such as data, algorithms, software code, and computer programs. The framework strengthens requirements for corporate safeguards, including confidentiality agreements, employee training, access controls, encryption, and data management practices. It also introduces detailed provisions for digital and remote work environments, encouraging tools like permission-based access, data masking, and activity logging, while explicitly banning illicit methods such as hacking, fraud, and unauthorised system access to obtain trade secrets. The rules further extend protection to overseas infringements that affect China’s domestic market or the rights of Chinese companies.
Meta Platforms is facing growing legal and regulatory pressure both in the USA and Europe over claims that its social media platforms contribute to youth addiction and mental health problems. In New Mexico, the state is seeking $3.7 billion and asking the court to declare Meta a public nuisance. The lawsuit alleges that Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp were designed in ways that encourage addictive behaviour among minors. It also claims that these platforms failed to adequately protect young users from harmful content and exploitation. The state is requesting major changes to the platforms, including age verification and restrictions on features such as autoplay and infinite scroll for minors. Meta claims the case concerns individual users, rather than the harm to the public as a whole.
Meta is also attempting to overturn a California jury verdict that found the company negligent in the design of its platforms and awarded damages to a young plaintiff who claimed that social media use contributed to her depression. Meta argues that the claims are barred by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and that the alleged harms were connected to online content rather than the platforms’ design features.
In Milan, families and MOIGE have filed a case against Meta and TikTok over alleged failures to protect minors on social media platforms.
The Texas Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta Platforms Inc, alleging that users were allegedly given misleading impressions about the scope and effectiveness of WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption protections. The lawsuit alleges that Meta and WhatsApp retained broader access to certain user communications and metadata than users may have understood.
Texas has sued Netflix for allegedly collecting user data without consent, including viewing habits, and turning users activity into monetised data. The Attorney General also argues that features such as autoplay were designed to increase engagement, particularly among minors, and that these practices conflict with Netflix’s public representations about being ad-free and family friendly.
The EU Court of Justice upheld an Italian order requiring Meta to compensate publishers for news snippets, intensifying copyright disputes over content reuse and AI training data.
France’s top court rejected Amazon’s challenge to a minimum book delivery fee designed to protect independent bookstores against global platform dominance.
Comisiun na Mean has launched two investigations into Meta under the Digital Services Act, examining whether Facebook and Instagram allow users to effectively choose recommendation feeds that are not based on profiling of their personal data. The regulator also warned that Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) must ensure users can exercise their rights under the DSA without manipulation or unnecessary barriers.
A federal jury in California ruled in favour of OpenAI, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman in Elon Musk’s lawsuit alleging that the company abandoned its original non-profit mission after transitioning toward a for-profit structure. The court accepted OpenAI’s argument that Musk had long been aware of discussions around restructuring, concluding that the claims were filed outside the applicable legal time limits and dismissing the case following an advisory jury verdict.
The European Commission issued a fine of €200 million to Temu after finding that Temu’s 2024 risk assessment fell short of the standards laid out in the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission further found that Temu did not adequately assess how its platform design, particularly recommender systems and influencer-driven promotion, could contribute to the amplification and spread of illegal products.
Sociocultural
Ofcom has announced a recommendation intended to strengthen protections against illegal intimate image abuse online. The UK regulator said it is updating its Illegal Content Codes to recommend that certain online platforms use automated detection technologies to identify such images, including AI-generated explicit deepfakes and non-consensual image sharing. The recommendation is expected to enter into force in autumn 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.
Similarly, the US Federal Trade Commission has issued guidance for online platforms on compliance with Section 3 of the Take It Down Act, which took effect on 19 May 2026 and requires covered platforms to remove non-consensual intimate photos or videos within 48 hours of receiving a valid request. Covered platforms must provide clear and conspicuous plain-language information about how people can submit removal requests for intimate photos or videos shared without consent. The platforms should make the process easy to use, including for people who do not have an account on the service. The FTC also encourages platforms to help prevent removed images from spreading further, including through hashing technology and, where appropriate, by sharing hashes with services such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Take It Down service or StopNCII.org.
Papua New Guinea’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology has begun drafting instructions and a proposed bill for digital identity and verifiable credentials legislation following the endorsement of the National Digital ID Policy. The proposed legislation will support the national rollout of SevisPass, SevisWallet, SevisDEx, and other approved verifiable credentials. SevisWallet will allow citizens to register, hold, and present trusted digital credentials, while SevisDEx will enable secure, consent-based data exchange.
Dutch citizens and privacy advocates challenged the proposed acquisition of Solvinity, the company hosting the Netherlands’ DigiD identity system, by US-based Kyndryl. Critics warned that allowing an American company near such sensitive infrastructure could expose Dutch citizens’ data to foreign jurisdiction and surveillance risks under US laws. Earlier in May, the District Court of The Hague rejected an attempt by three Dutch citizens to block the government from renewing its contract with Solvinity. However, the Investment Assessment Office (BTI) has advised Willemijn Aerdts, Minister for the Digital Economy and Sovereignty of the Netherlands, to impose a complete ban on this acquisition, as it may pose a risk to the public interest. The minister has acted upon this advice, and the government has blocked the sale.
UNESCO and Pakistan have launched ‘Digital Citizens for Peace’, a media literacy initiative designed to counter hate speech and disinformation by training young journalists and content creators. Through immersive Media and Information Literacy camps, mentorship programmes, and open-access educational toolkits, the initiative aims to strengthen responsible digital engagement and encourage fact-based content creation across the country.
Development
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has selected Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria as the first countries to implement a digital public infrastructure (DPI) initiative designed to support cross-border trade. The initiative, known as Africa Digital Access and Public Infrastructure for Trade (ADAPT), aims to connect digital identity, trusted data exchange, and interoperable payment systems to reduce friction in intra-African commerce.
Australia has introduced a National Framework for Digital Health Standards to improve interoperability and consistency across healthcare systems. The framework addresses fragmentation caused by independently developed digital health standards. It also provides guidance intended to support coordination between government agencies, healthcare providers, and industry participants. The framework also supports the use of internationally recognised clinical terminology standards and related training initiatives.
Greece’s parliament approved a law which accelerates interoperability between public information systems, establishes a unified digital service platform on gov.gr, introduces a register for entities authorised to use government data-verification services, and strengthens cybersecurity through faster blocking of phishing websites and a national registry of malicious domains.
Economic
The OECD has published a Digital Trade Review of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, examining regional growth in digital trade and related regulatory challenges.
The OECD said ASEAN benefits from trade openness, increasing digital adoption, and evolving regional policy initiatives. The report noted that uneven participation and fragmented domestic regulations may limit further digital trade integration across the region.
The review identified barriers, including restrictions affecting cross-border data flows, telecommunications, digital services, and trade facilitation systems. The OECD highlighted the importance of regulatory alignment and progress towards paperless trade systems.
The report also discussed opportunities related to AI adoption, including reforms linked to tariffs, data flows, and digital services regulation. These findings underline the importance of coordinated reforms to strengthen ASEAN’s role in the global digital economy.
Pakistan has enacted the Virtual Assets Act 2026, establishing a permanent legal foundation for the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. The move formalises oversight of the country’s growing digital asset sector, which had previously operated under temporary rules introduced in 2025. Under the new framework, PVARA is responsible for licensing, regulating and supervising virtual assets and virtual asset service providers operating in Pakistan. The law gives the authority powers to issue, suspend and revoke licences, while unlicensed operations can face fines and criminal penalties.
Georgia is preparing to launch GEL₮, a stablecoin linked to the Georgian Lari. According to officials, the initiative is intended to support blockchain-based payment infrastructure under a dedicated stablecoin regulatory framework. Officials said the project could support faster payments, cross-border transfers, fintech development, and programmable financial services.
Brazil’s Central Bank has introduced a new requirement for virtual asset service providers seeking authorisation to operate in the country. From 1 June 2026, companies applying to operate as sociedades prestadoras de serviços de ativos virtuais, or SPSAVs, must submit a reasonable assurance report issued by an independent auditor registered with Brazil’s securities regulator, the Comissão de Valores Mobiliários. The audit requirement is intended to assess whether applicants have adequate compliance and control structures in place. Reviews will focus on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures, including governance arrangements, client verification procedures, internal risk controls, and mechanisms to prevent misuse of virtual asset services.
Xi hosts Trump and Putin in two weeks as tech diplomacy takes centre stage
Two high-level summits in as many weeks saw China’s Xi Jinping host first the President of the United States Donald Trump, and then the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. While the internet has done its thing, comparing Trump’s and Putin’s visits to China right down to the choreography of the children, we’ll focus our analysis on the tech topics that were discussed, with only a brief look at how the two sets of talks compare.
The Trump-Xi Summit signals unease but vague progress
Trade and technology were among the main topics expected to dominate the Trump-Xi summit 13-15 May 2026 in Beijing, the first state visit of a US President to China in 8 years.
A litany of CEOs accompanied Trump on the trip, including Tesla’s Elon Musk, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, Apple’s Tim Cook, GE Aerospace’s Larry Culp, Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg, Meta’s Dina Powell McCormick, BlackRock’s Larry Fink, Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, Micron’s Sanjay Mehrotra, Mastercard’s Michael Miebach, Qualcomm’s Cristiano Amon and Visa’s Ryan McInerney.
But as much as the public is assured that progress was made, details remain scarce.
When it comes to tech matters, AI was expected to be a central topic of discussion, with reports in the lead-up to the summit suggesting that the USA and China are considering launching formal discussions on AI. ‘The two AI superpowers are going to start talking. We’re going to set up a protocol in terms of how do we go forward with best practices for AI to make sure nonstate actors don’t get a hold of these models,’ US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC.
Part of the AI story are, of course, the chips needed for AI. The USA has tried to limit China’s AI development by restricting sales of advanced chips, with Jensen Huang’s Nvidia and Huang himself caught in the middle. Yet, reports suggest that the USA has cleared around 10 Chinese firms to buy the H200, Nvidia’s second-most powerful AI chip, the H200. However, no deliveries were made. This is likely the breakthrough Huang was seeking in China.
And part of the chips story are the minerals the chips are made of, and on those China has an upper hand which is deftly uses as a lever in its trade relations with the USA. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Bloomberg that rare earth exports from China are improving, although Beijing is still slow to approve some export licences. However, Greer also stated that chip export controls were not a major part of the talks.
A few days later, the White House stated that China will address US concerns regarding supply chain shortages related to rare earths and other critical minerals, as well as concerns over restrictions on the sale of rare earth production and processing equipment and technologies. In response to questions about this statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce said that both sides had discussed the issue and would work to resolve each other’s reasonable and lawful concerns.
Additionally, reports suggest that ByteDance has agreed to purchase millions of Qualcomm ASIC chips for use in its expanding AI infrastructure and agent systems, a deal that might have been struck during the visit.
Russia–China Summit signals deepening cooperation across AI, industry, and digital economy
The Putin-Xi talks on 19-20 May 2026 culminated in a communique that is, off the bat, telling. The document itself is quite long, and while it is not heavy on tech, it still contains important signals.
Putin and Xi emphasised that AI should be developed and deployed in ways that serve universal development rather than narrow national interests. At the same time, they explicitly criticised the use of AI by individual states as a geopolitical instrument to preserve or strengthen global dominance.
The leaders also highlighted growing cooperation on the military dimension of AI. Russia and China intend to deepen collaboration on the development and application of AI in military contexts, both through bilateral channels and within multilateral processes, including discussions under the Group of Governmental Experts on lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS).
The two sides committed to coordinating their positions on AI-related scientific and policy questions within international organisations. This indicated an effort to align their approaches more systematically in global standard-setting and norm-shaping forums. It’s not unusual for China and Russia to take similar positions in negotiations over digital matters, but this was a quite explicit geopolitical signal.
China and Russia will merge their GLONASS and Beidou satellite navigation systems into a complementary global service, cooperate in the coordination and use of radio frequencies and satellite orbital slots, and expand cooperation on satellite internet and the internet of things.
Open source cooperation also emerged as a strategic priority. The two countries plan to explore a bilateral software cooperation mechanism and to promote open-source technologies in key industries. That aligns with broader efforts in both countries to localise software ecosystems and reduce reliance on US tech platforms.
The parties agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating cybercrime, welcoming the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the UN Convention against Cybercrime and committing to its rapid entry into force and implementation, including work on an additional protocol to expand its scope and enhance international cooperation.
They pledged to deepen strategic cooperation on information security and coordinated responses to ICT threats. They also intend to exchange experiences in legislative regulation of the internet.
They emphasised the central role of the UN in responding to threats in the information space, after which the countries expressed support for the work of the Global Mechanism. This is also not surprising, considering that the Global Mechanism emerged from the OEWG, which was itself a Russian initiative. The countries also expressed support for the development of broader international legal instruments covering issues such as data security and supply chain resilience. This aligns with China’s longstanding push to establish the Global Initiative on Data Security.
The parties agreed to expand cooperation on the digital economy and cross-border e-commerce, alongside broader collaboration in industries such as automotive, aviation, and mineral extraction. They pledged to strengthen coordination on intellectual property protection, consumer protection in online and cross-border services,
They also agreed to deepen e-commerce cooperation through regional frameworks, including the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Belt and Road Initiative, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), APEC, and the Enhanced Tumangan Initiative. Cooperation will focus on digitalisation, logistics, barrier-free trade, connectivity, and innovation, with the broader aim of boosting regional economic integration, trade, and employment.
This part is not surprising, considering that China and Russia have repeatedly framed e-commerce, the digital economy, and ICT cooperation as strategic pillars of their partnership since at least the mid-2010s in the SCO and Belt and Road contexts.
Comparing the two summits
There was no joint communique after the Xi–Trump meeting, while the Xi–Putin summit produced a detailed and lengthy one. That alone is quite telling. Xi and Putin also signed over 20 agreements covering energy, trade, science and technology, and infrastructure, while it is still unclear how many agreements Xi and Trump signed.
In the US–China context, comments made by Bessent during Trump’s visit to China, noting that ‘The reason we are able to have wholesome discussions with the Chinese on AI is because we are in the lead,’ highlight continued tech competition between the two countries. Bessent also candidly admitted: ‘I do not think we would be having the same discussions if they were this far ahead of us.’ President Trump also postponed signing the AI and cybersecurity order, saying he did not want new rules to slow US leadership in AI or weaken its competitive edge over China, which reinforces the competitive framing. This is in direct opposition to cooperation with Russia and to future coordination on AI-related scientific and policy questions within international organisations.
China’s engagement with Russia took a more cooperative and forward-looking form. The two sides agreed to actively promote cooperation in joint mineral extraction and in developing green standards. Russia holds some of the world’s largest rare earth reserves—ranked fifth globally—but remains constrained by limited capacity in extraction, refining, and processing, an area where it stands to benefit from Chinese technological and industrial expertise.
Overall, the difference in both outcomes and issue salience indicates that the Russia–China relationship appears more comfortable addressing sensitive domains such as AI cooperation and military applications, whereas US–China engagement remains more constrained and competitive in tone and scope.
Last month in Geneva
Geneva Cyber Week 2026
The UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNDIR) and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) co-hosted Geneva Cyber Week from 4 to 8 May 2026, bringing policymakers, diplomats, technical experts, industry leaders, academics, and civil society representatives to venues across Geneva and online for a week of discussions on cyber stability, resilience, governance, digitalisation, and the security implications of emerging technologies, including AI.
Returning after its inaugural edition, the event was positioned as a response to a more fragile cyber and geopolitical environment. Held under the theme ‘Advancing Global Cooperation in Cyberspace’, Geneva Cyber Week 2026 took place at a time of mounting cyber insecurity, intensifying geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological change. The programme featured nearly 90 events and reinforced Geneva’s role as a centre for cyber diplomacy, international cooperation, and digital governance.
As part of Geneva Cyber Week, UNIDIR organised the Cyber Stability Conference 2026, on 4–5 May in Geneva and online, bringing together governments, international organisations, industry, academia, and civil society to discuss ICT security and cyber governance. Under the theme ‘Cyber governance in an era of technological revolution: Past lessons, present realities and future frontiers,’ discussions explored how international cyber stability frameworks are adapting to rapid technological change, including AI and quantum computing, while reflecting on lessons from past cyber diplomacy processes and current security challenges.
Multi-year expert meeting on investment, innovation and entrepreneurship for productive capacity-building and sustainable development, 12th session
UNCTAD’s Multi-year Expert Meeting on Investment, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Productive Capacity-building and Sustainable Development met for its twelfth session on 4-5 May. The experts warned that AI and other strategic technologies are reshaping global investment patterns, concentrating capital in a handful of sectors and countries while leaving many developing economies behind. Discussions at the meeting focused on how developing countries can compete in AI-related sectors, strengthen domestic innovation ecosystems and ensure that AI-driven investment translates into broader development gains.
OSCE Conference ‘Anticipating technologies – for a safe and humane future’ opens in Geneva
The Swiss Chairpersonship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe opened a two-day high-level conference on anticipatory technologies in Geneva on 7 May. The event examined how foresight, dialogue, and international cooperation can help reduce misunderstandings, build trust, and strengthen security across the OSCE region amid rapid technological change.
The programme included discussions on anticipating technological change and its geopolitical impact, water and energy security in the digital age, and the role of AI in early warning and conflict prevention.
The conference also highlighted Geneva’s role as a meeting point for science and diplomacy, including through institutions such as CERN, the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator, and the Open Quantum Institute.
The event forms part of the Chairpersonship’s priority to connect scientific and technological anticipation with policy action.
WTO resumed talks as 19 members back e-commerce moratorium pledge
The WTO’s General Council has met in Geneva on 8 May for the first time since the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), after negotiators in Yaoundé narrowly missed agreements on several major files, including the future of the long-running e-commerce moratorium and broader WTO reform.
The newly elected chair, Ambassador Clare Kelly, said members remained committed to preserving the careful balance reached during negotiations in Cameroon and avoiding a return to earlier positions.
The discussions follow the expiry on 31 March of the WTO moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, a temporary arrangement first adopted in 1998 that prevented countries from imposing tariffs on digital trade flows such as software downloads, streaming services, and other online transmissions. Ministers at MC14 failed to agree on another extension, exposing deep divisions over how long the moratorium should continue and how governments should respond to rapid technological developments such as AI and 3D printing.
Despite the lapse, a group of 19 WTO members announced they would continue not imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions among themselves. In a joint statement circulated at the WTO, the group said the arrangement would provide predictability and certainty for businesses and consumers while multilateral negotiations continue. The group includes Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, the USA, and Uruguay.
Türkiye also signalled new flexibility during the General Council meeting, announcing it would not block consensus on a temporary extension of the moratorium. However, Brazil maintained its opposition to a four-year extension of the moratorium.
The chair announced further consultations on e-commerce and WTO reform, with plans to report back to members in July.
Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-commerce and the Digital Economy 9th session
The UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-commerce and the Digital Economy met in Geneva for its 9th session from 11–13 May 2026 to address how digital trade affects fiscal systems in developing countries. The agenda focused on strengthening tax revenues in the context of e-commerce, including VAT and customs challenges, platform-based taxation, and the implications of cross-border digital transactions. Sessions explored revenue risks, administrative digital tools, and the role of platforms as tax intermediaries, alongside international and regional cooperation to improve tax readiness. The meeting also covered measuring the digital economy and advancing capacity-building to support inclusive and sustainable digital development strategies.
UN Virtual Worlds Day 2026
The 3rd UN Virtual Worlds Day, co-organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and multiple UN agencies and partners, took place in Geneva on 11–12 May 2026. It convened ambassadors, ministers, city leaders, UN entities, industry pioneers and innovators for two days of high-level dialogue on AI-driven cities, immersive environments and spatial intelligence. Discussions focused on how frontier technologies are reshaping urban governance and public services, including the emerging citiverse concept and its link to the Global Digital Compact. It concluded with an executive briefing on AI, spatial intelligence and AI-enabled citiverse, and the Call to Action for inclusive digital futures.
79th World Health Assembly
The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79), which took place in Geneva from 18–23 May 2026, brought together WHO member states, international organisations, civil society, and health stakeholders to discuss global health priorities and governance. Alongside the formal Assembly proceedings, a wide range of side events focused on digital health and AI, covering topics such as trusted health data, interoperability, responsible AI governance, and digital transformation of health systems. Discussions examined how AI and digital technologies can support universal health coverage, strengthen evidence-based policymaking, improve diagnostics and ageing care, and enhance cross-border cooperation, while also addressing issues of ethics, transparency, data governance, and equity in healthcare systems.
UN human rights experts raise concerns over the large-scale sexual exploitation of women and girls online
The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences and the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy issued a statement raising concerns over what they describe as large-scale sexual exploitation of women and girls facilitated and monetised through Pornhub and its parent company, Aylo Holdings, as well as by payment networks and search engines that enable distribution and monetisation of content.
The rapporteurs focused on Pornhub and its parent company Aylo Holdings, while also referencing broader concerns involving user-generated pornography platforms, payment networks, and search and technology companies linked to online distribution systems.
The experts said businesses involved in digital content ecosystems should not avoid responsibility where their services contribute to human rights violations. They called for stronger safeguards, including mandatory third-party age and consent verification systems for user-generated pornography platforms.
UN Human Rights Office issues guidelines on child safety online
A new brief by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) outlined 10 interconnected steps to improve children’s online safety through a rights-based, system-level regulatory approach. Rather than relying on broad restrictions or shifting responsibility to users, it prioritises structural changes to how platforms are designed and governed.
First, it calls for safety-by-design obligations that reduce harmful features such as autoplay, infinite scroll, and intrusive notifications. Regulation should be grounded in children’s rights, ensuring that protection is balanced with rights to participation, expression, privacy, and access to information. Strong data privacy protections are central, including prohibiting micro-targeting and limiting the profiling of children for commercial purposes.
Companies are expected to carry out ongoing child rights impact assessments as part of broader human rights due diligence, with transparency and accountability for their findings. Where age verification is used, it must include strict safeguards around data collection, storage, and non-discrimination.
The guidance emphasises targeted, harm-specific age restrictions rather than blanket bans, and stresses that children should be actively involved in shaping the policies that affect their digital environments. Platforms should also be required to provide meaningful transparency on recommender systems, moderation practices, and design choices.
Finally, effective oversight, enforceable accountability mechanisms, and continuous, evidence-based policymaking are essential to ensure that regulation adapts as technologies and risks evolve.
Notably, the guidance frames online child safety as both a governance issue and a rights issue. It argues that children’s rights apply online as fully as they do offline, including rights related to participation, privacy, access to information, and freedom of expression. Children, the brief notes, should also have a say in how digital spaces are governed and regulated.
Don’t miss!
Follow the road to the 2027 Geneva AI Summit, a global journey shaping AI’s future. Bookmark the page and register for updates to stay informed and involved every step of the way to Geneva 2027.