ai

FCA outlines AI-driven plan to modernise financial regulation

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has outlined plans to integrate AI and data-driven tools into its regulatory processes as part of its 2026/27 work programme to become a more efficient and effective regulator.

The programme includes developing an internal authorisation tool to speed up approvals and using generative AI to review documents and support supervision, while maintaining human decision-making at the core of regulatory actions.

The FCA said it will also test automated data-sharing in a sandbox environment, expand its Supercharged Sandbox for firms developing AI-based financial products, and invest in analytics to better identify risks and prioritise cases.

Measures to reduce burdens on firms include removing certain data reporting requirements, simplifying digital processes and improving authorisation timelines, alongside efforts to enhance firms’ experience through new tools and feedback mechanisms.

The regulator also plans to support economic growth and consumer protection by advancing measures such as regulating buy now pay later products, speeding up IPO processes, expanding international presence, and addressing emerging risks, including the use of general-purpose AI in financial decision-making.

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

National security rules to prioritise UK contracts in AI, steel and shipbuilding

The UK government has announced new procurement guidance that will treat shipbuilding, steel, AI, and energy infrastructure as critical to national security, with departments directed to prioritise British businesses where necessary to protect national security. The press release was published on 26 March by the Cabinet Office and its Minister, Chris Ward.

According to the government, the new approach is intended to respond to recent supply-chain fragility and strengthen domestic capacity in sectors it describes as vital to national security. The guidance is presented as the first clear framework for how departments can protect the UK’s economic security and build resilience in the four named sectors.

Additional measures in the package go beyond sector prioritisation. The government says departments will either use British steel or provide a justification if steel is sourced from overseas, linking the change to the UK Steel Strategy launched the previous week. Officials also say the reforms support the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and follow the publication of the National Security Strategy.

Procurement reform is another part of the package. Under a new Public Interest Test, departments will be asked to assess whether outsourced service contracts worth more than £1 million could be delivered more effectively in-house. The government says the test will cover more than 95% of central government contracts by value.

Community impact is also being built into the contracting framework. Departments will be required to publish and report annually on a specific social value goal for contracts above £5 million, which the government says will cover more than 90% of central government contracts by value. Companies bidding for public contracts are also being encouraged to include commitments on local jobs, skills, and apprenticeships.

The press release also says a new suite of AI tools has been developed to streamline the commercial process. Contract terms will be simplified, and additional business information will be integrated into a central platform, with the stated aim of reducing repeated submissions by smaller businesses bidding for multiple contracts.

Chris Ward said: ‘This Government is backing British businesses and the working people who power them. These reforms are about using the full weight of Government spending to support British jobs, protect our national security and grow our economy.’ He added: ‘Whether you make steel in Scunthorpe, build ships on the Clyde or run a small tech firm in the Midlands, this Government is on your side.’

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

VTC expands AI training across all programmes in Hong Kong

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) has introduced an ‘AI for All’ strategy to integrate AI training across its programmes, aiming to support Hong Kong’s ambition to strengthen its innovation and technology sector.

The initiative aligns with broader policy priorities, including the ‘AI Plus’ approach outlined in national planning frameworks and Hong Kong’s budget, which emphasise integrating AI across industries while addressing a shortage of skilled professionals.

Under the ‘AI+Professional’ model, all Higher Diploma students are required to study IT modules covering prompt engineering, generative AI, and AI ethics and security, with training adapted to disciplines such as engineering, design, and information technology.

The council has also partnered with technology companies through memorandums of understanding. It provides ongoing training for employees in government and industry, while offering internal AI tools and a ‘Virtual Tutor’ platform to support teaching and learning.

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

Zimbabwe advances AI national strategy with UNESCO support

Zimbabwe has launched a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2026 to 2030, marking a significant step towards shaping its digital future instead of relying solely on traditional development pathways.

Announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare, the strategy sets out a national framework for the responsible use of AI to support innovation, improve public services, and expand economic opportunities across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, finance, and public administration.

The strategy places strong emphasis on building digital infrastructure, developing AI skills, and strengthening research and innovation ecosystems.

Officials highlighted the importance of governance frameworks to ensure that AI systems remain transparent, ethical, and aligned with national priorities instead of advancing without oversight.

The initiative reflects a broader effort to position Zimbabwe within the evolving technological landscape of the fourth industrial revolution while promoting sustainable economic growth.

Development of the strategy was supported by UNESCO, working alongside national institutions and stakeholders from academia, industry, and civil society.

The process was informed by the Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Methodology and aligned with UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, promoting a human-centred approach that prioritises human rights, fairness, and transparency.

Regional initiatives across Southern Africa have also contributed to strengthening AI adoption readiness through similar assessment frameworks.

Looking ahead, Zimbabwe aims to translate the strategy into concrete investments in infrastructure, talent development, and innovation ecosystems.

International partners, including the UN, have expressed support for implementation efforts, emphasising the importance of inclusive growth and equitable access to digital opportunities.

By combining national leadership with international collaboration, Zimbabwe seeks to ensure that AI benefits communities across urban and rural areas rather than widening existing socioeconomic divides.

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

Scotland publishes AI guidance for schools

The Scottish government has published national guidance on the use of AI in schools, aiming to support the safe and ethical adoption of AI in classrooms. The document provides advice for teachers and pupils as AI use continues to expand across society.

The guidance outlines potential benefits of AI alongside risks that need to be considered, and includes examples of appropriate classroom use. It was developed with the EIS teaching union, local government and Education Scotland.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said AI should support creativity, critical thinking and personalised learning while protecting pupils’ rights and privacy. She added that technology must not replace teachers or human relationships in education.

Andrea Bradley said AI should remain a tool for teachers and not replace professional judgement. The non-statutory guidance allows schools and local authorities flexibility to develop their own policies as AI continues to evolve.

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

CFTC launches AI and crypto innovation task force

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an independent agency of the United States federal government, announced the creation of an Innovation Task Force to support the development of new technologies in US derivatives markets. Chairman Michael S. Selig leads the initiative and focuses on establishing clear regulatory approaches.

The task force will work with the Innovation Advisory Committee to develop frameworks covering crypto assets, blockchain technologies, AI and autonomous systems, and prediction markets. Authorities said the aim is to provide clarity for innovators building new financial products.

According to Selig, clearer rules are intended to support responsible innovation and ensure market participants remain competitive. The task force is also expected to help implement the Commission’s broader innovation agenda.

Coordination with other federal bodies is planned, including collaboration with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and its Crypto Task Force. Michael J. Passalacqua, senior advisor to the Chairman, has been appointed to lead the initiative.

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

Explora chatbot offers personalised travel planning in New Brunswick

GuideGeek, the AI travel technology from Matador Network, has partnered with ExploreNB to launch Explora, an AI-powered travel chatbot for New Brunswick. The tool is designed to help visitors plan trips through conversational interactions.

Explora was piloted in early 2025 and is now rolled out more broadly, providing instant answers to travel and tourism questions. Powered by GuideGeek’s platform, it has generated thousands of online conversations with prospective visitors.

The chatbot delivers personalised travel tips and itinerary ideas, connecting users to local businesses, beaches, hiking trails and cultural sites. Its responses are based on destination data from New Brunswick and more than 1,000 integrated travel information sources.

Ross Borden, CEO of Matador Network, said AI helps travellers discover destinations and build trips based on their interests. Isabelle Thériault, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture of New Brunswick, said the tool also provides insight into traveller interests and supports the tourism sector.

Explora is available directly on the TourismNewBrunswick.ca website via the chat icon.

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

Mongolia anti-corruption authority adopts AI system for decision monitoring

The Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) in Mongolia has started using the tuss.io platform to monitor orders, decisions, rules and regulations adopted by state organisations and officials.

The platform, developed by Tus Solution company, is used to check whether decisions, orders, rules or regulations meet legal requirements, create unnecessary procedural steps, or establish conflicts of interest or conflicts with the law.

According to IAAC, a total of 388 orders, decisions, rules and regulations have been monitored. Out of these, 152 have been revised, amended or invalidated over the past three years.

Why does it matter?

The initiative reflects broader efforts of Mongolia to strengthen transparency and accountability in public administration through digital tools. By integrating AI-powered analysis and compliance monitoring, platforms like tuss.io can more efficiently identify regulatory inconsistencies and support evidence-based decision-making, reducing opportunities for corruption and improving the overall quality of governance.

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

OpenAI Foundation expands investment strategy to shape AI benefits and resilience

A major expansion of its activities has been outlined by OpenAI Foundation, signalling a broader effort to ensure AI delivers tangible benefits while addressing emerging risks.

The organisation plans to invest at least $1 billion over the next year, forming part of a wider $25 billion commitment focused on disease research and AI resilience.

AI is increasingly reshaping healthcare, scientific discovery and economic productivity, offering pathways to faster medical breakthroughs and more efficient public services.

OpenAI Foundation frames such potential as central to its mission, while recognising that more capable systems introduce complex societal and safety challenges that require coordinated responses.

Initial programmes prioritise life sciences, including research into Alzheimer’s disease, expanded access to public health data, and accelerated progress on high-mortality conditions.

Parallel efforts examine the economic impact of automation, with engagement across policymakers, labour groups and businesses aimed at developing practical responses to labour market disruption.

A dedicated resilience strategy addresses risks linked to advanced AI systems, including safety standards, biosecurity concerns and the protection of children and young users.

Alongside community-focused funding, the OpenAI Foundation’s initiative reflects a dual objective: enabling innovation rather than leaving societies exposed to technological disruption.

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

Diplo chatbot can make mistakes. Consider checking important information.