ai

Elton John threatens legal fight over AI use

Sir Elton John has lashed out at the UK government over plans that could allow AI companies to use copyrighted content without paying artists, calling ministers ‘absolute losers’ and accusing them of ‘thievery on a high scale.’

He warned that younger musicians, without the means to challenge tech giants, would be most at risk if the proposed changes go ahead.

The row centres on a rejected House of Lords amendment to the Data Bill, which would have required AI firms to disclose what material they use.

Despite a strong majority in favour in the Lords, the Commons blocked the move, meaning the bill will keep bouncing between the two chambers until a compromise is reached.

Sir Elton, joined by playwright James Graham, said the government was failing to defend creators and seemed more interested in appeasing powerful tech firms.

More than 400 artists, including Sir Paul McCartney, have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to strengthen copyright protections instead of allowing AI to mine their work unchecked.

While the government insists no changes will be made unless they benefit creators, critics say the current approach risks sacrificing the UK’s music industry for Silicon Valley’s gain.

Sir Elton has threatened legal action if the plans go ahead, saying, ‘We’ll fight it all the way.’

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

JMA to test AI-enhanced weather forecasting

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is exploring the use of AI to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts, with a particular focus on deep learning technologies, according to a source familiar with the plans.

A dedicated team was launched in April to begin developing the infrastructure and tools needed to integrate AI with JMA’s existing numerical weather prediction models. The goal is to combine traditional simulations with AI-generated forecasts based on historical weather data.

If implemented, AI systems could identify weather patterns more efficiently and enhance forecasts for variables such as rainfall and temperature. The technology may also offer improved accuracy in predicting extreme weather events like typhoons.

Currently, the JMA relies on supercomputers to simulate future atmospheric conditions based on observational data. Human forecasters then review the outputs, applying expert judgment before issuing final forecasts and alerts. Even with AI integration, human oversight will remain a core part of the process.

In addition to forecasting, the agency is also considering AI for processing data from the Himawari-10 satellite, which is expected to launch in fiscal 2029.

An official announcement outlining further AI integration measures is anticipated in June.

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

UK workers struggle to keep up with AI

AI is reshaping the UK workplace, but many employees feel unprepared to keep pace, according to a major new study by Henley Business School.

While 56% of full-time professionals expressed optimism about AI’s potential, 61% admitted they were overwhelmed by how quickly the technology is evolving.

The research surveyed over 4,500 people across nearly 30 sectors, offering what experts call a clear snapshot of AI’s uneven integration into British industries.

Professor Keiichi Nakata, director of AI at The World of Work Institute, said workers are willing to embrace AI, but often lack the training and guidance to do so effectively.

Instead of empowering staff through hands-on learning and clear internal policies, many companies are leaving their workforce under-supported.

Nearly a quarter of respondents said their employers were failing to provide sufficient help, while three in five said they would use AI more if proper training were available.

Professor Nakata argued that AI has the power to simplify tasks, remove repetitive duties, and free up time for more meaningful work.

But he warned that without better support, businesses risk missing out on what could be a transformative force for both productivity and employee satisfaction.

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

US bans nonconsensual explicit deepfakes nationwide

The US is introducing a landmark federal law aimed at curbing the spread of non-consensual explicit deepfake images, following mounting public outrage.

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 law will also require tech platforms to remove such content within 48 hours of notification, instead of leaving the matter to patchy state laws.

The legislation is one of the first at the federal level to directly tackle the misuse of AI-generated content. It builds on earlier laws that protected children but had left adults vulnerable due to inconsistent state regulations.

The bill received rare bipartisan support in Congress and was backed by over 100 organisations, including tech giants like Meta, TikTok and Google. First Lady Melania Trump also supported the act, hosting a teenage victim of deepfake harassment during the president’s address to Congress.

The act was prompted in part by incidents like that of Elliston Berry, a Texas high school student targeted by a classmate who used AI to alter her social media image into a nude photo. Similar cases involving teen girls across the country highlighted the urgency for action.

Tech companies had already started offering tools to remove explicit images, but the lack of consistent enforcement allowed harmful content to persist on less cooperative platforms.

Supporters of the law argue it sends a strong societal message instead of allowing the exploitation to continue unchallenged.

Advocates like Imran Ahmed and Ilana Beller emphasised that while no law is a perfect solution, this one forces platforms to take real responsibility and offers victims some much-needed protection and peace of mind.

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

UAE to host world’s biggest AI site outside the US

The United Arab Emirates will build the largest artificial intelligence infrastructure outside the United States, following a high-level meeting between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Trump in Abu Dhabi.

It will be constructed by G42 and involve US firms under the newly established US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership. Spanning 10 square miles in Abu Dhabi, the AI campus will run on a mix of nuclear, solar and gas energy to limit emissions and will feature a dedicated science park to drive innovation.

A 5GW capacity will enable it to serve half the global population, offering US cloud providers a vital regional hub. As part of the agreement, the UAE has pledged to align its national security rules with US standards, including strict technology safeguards and tighter access controls for computing power.

The UAE may also be permitted to purchase up to 500,000 Nvidia AI chips annually starting this year.

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

AlphaEvolve by DeepMind automates code optimisation and discovers new algorithms

Google’s DeepMind has introduced AlphaEvolve, a new AI-powered coding agent designed to autonomously discover and optimise computer algorithms.

Built on large language models and evolutionary techniques, AlphaEvolve aims to assist experts across mathematics, engineering, and computer science by improving existing solutions and generating new ones.

Unlike natural language-based models, AlphaEvolve uses automated evaluators and iterative evolution strategies—like mutation and crossover—to refine algorithmic solutions.

DeepMind reports success across several domains, including matrix multiplication, data centre scheduling, chip design, and AI model training.

In one case, AlphaEvolve developed a new method for multiplying 4×4 complex matrices using just 48 scalar multiplications, surpassing a longstanding result from 1969. It also improved job scheduling in Google data centres, recovering an average of 0.7% of global compute resources.

In mathematical tests, AlphaEvolve rediscovered known solutions 75% of the time and improved them in 20% of cases. While experts have praised its potential, researchers also stress the importance of secure deployment and responsible use.

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

Canva merges data and storytelling

Canva has introduced Sheets, a new spreadsheet platform combining data, design, and AI to simplify and visualise analytics. Announced at the Canva Create: Uncharted event, it redefines spreadsheets by enabling users to turn raw data into charts, reports and content without leaving the Canva interface.

Built-in tools like Magic Formulas, Magic Insights, and Magic Charts, Canva Sheets supports automated analysis and visual storytelling. Users can generate dynamic charts and branded content across platforms in seconds, thanks to Canva AI and features like bulk editing and multilingual translation.

Data Connectors allow seamless integration with platforms such as Google Analytics and HubSpot, ensuring live updates across all connected visuals. The platform is designed to reduce manual tasks in recurring reports and keep teams synchronised in real time.

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

du and Microsoft launch $544M AI data centre in UAE

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.

Microsoft will be the facility’s primary tenant, and the project will be delivered in phases. This marks du’s sixth data centre, reinforcing the UAE’s growing status as a regional AI and data infrastructure hub.

The partnership aligns with the UAE’s National Strategy for AI 2031, which aims to generate US$96 billion in economic value by 2030.

Hyperscale data centres like this one are expected to form the backbone of the country’s AI ecosystem, which is projected to reach a value of US$46.33 billion by the same year.

The GCC data centre market is booming, with expected growth from US$3.48 billion in 2024 to US$9.49 billion by 2030. du’s move comes amid a regional race between cloud giants like Google, AWS, and Oracle, as well as local providers including Khazna, Equinix, and Gulf Data Hub.

Sustainability is also a growing focus, with new builds like Khazna’s Ajman facility incorporating energy-efficient cooling for high-performance AI workloads.

As AI-driven transformation accelerates across logistics, finance, and smart cities, the UAE is using these strategic partnerships and infrastructure investments to move from a resource-based economy to a data-driven one.

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

FBI warns against AI-powered text scams

The FBI has issued a fresh warning urging the public not to trust unsolicited texts or voice messages, even if they appear to come from senior officials. A new wave of AI-powered attacks is reportedly so convincing that traditional signs of fraud are almost impossible to spot.

These campaigns involve voice and text messages crafted with AI, mimicking the voices of known individuals and spoofing phone numbers of trusted contacts or organisations. US victims are lured into clicking malicious links, often under the impression that the messages are urgent or official.

The FBI advises users to verify all communications independently, avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown sources, and listen for unnatural speech patterns or visual anomalies in videos and images.

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

Google and Nvidia dominate AI patents

Google has overtaken IBM to lead in generative AI patent filings, according to new data from IFI Claims covering February 2024 to April 2025.

The tech giant has also emerged as a frontrunner in agentic AI patents, sharing the spotlight with Nvidia in both US and international rankings.

Instead of maintaining previous leads, IBM and Microsoft now trail Google and Nvidia, with Intel and several Chinese universities also securing top global positions in agentic AI. This suggests a growing international race to shape the future of autonomous AI systems.

In generative AI, Google maintains the top spot globally, while Chinese firms and institutions dominate six of the ten leading positions. Microsoft, Nvidia, and IBM also rank highly, with the US seeing a 56% surge in generative AI patent applications over the past year.

Within the US, top filers include Capital One, Samsung, Adobe, and Qualcomm.

Meta and OpenAI were notably absent from the top ten. OpenAI has recently increased its patent activity but continues to file defensively instead of focusing on patent volume.

Meta has prioritised open-source contributions rather than pursuing patents. Generative AI now accounts for 17% of all US AI patent activity, with agentic AI making up 7%.

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