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Ofcom report highlights growing AI use among UK children online

The UK’s Ofcom has released new research indicating that children in the UK are using digital devices and online services at increasingly younger ages.

According to Ofcom’s Children’s Online Experiences report, screen use begins early in childhood, and smartphone ownership increases significantly during secondary school years. The report found that teenagers aged 15 to 17 spend a substantial amount of time online each week.

The report also noted declining use of traditional media formats such as live television, radio, and print among younger audiences. Live television, radio, and print media were described as increasingly absent from children’s routines, with social media, messaging platforms, and gaming dominating digital engagement.

Ofcom also warned that exposure to harmful content remains a significant issue despite the introduction of new online safety rules. Ofcom said many children reported exposure to harmful online content, including material surfaced through recommendation systems and personalised feeds.

The report also highlighted growing use of AI tools among children and teenagers. More than half of UK children aged 8 to 17 said they use AI tools, with some teenagers increasingly relying on AI systems for learning, creativity, communication, and companionship. Researchers said some children found it difficult to distinguish between AI-generated and human-created content.

The report suggested that passive content consumption plays an increasingly significant role in children’s online activity. Most younger users primarily scroll, watch, follow, or like content instead of actively creating or sharing material themselves.

Gaming remained one of the most important online social environments for children, with many users interacting regularly with people they had only met online through multiplayer gaming communities and communication platforms.

Why does it matter?

Ofcom’s findings highlight growing concerns surrounding children’s digital well-being, algorithmic exposure, AI literacy, and online safety regulation. Policymakers and regulators increasingly face pressure to address how recommendation systems, generative AI, and social platforms shape behaviour, attention, and trust among younger audiences.

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International Labour Organization warns AI could reshape labour markets across the Arab region

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) have examined how AI may reshape labour markets and employment patterns across the Arab region.

The organisations released a report exploring how AI adoption may transform jobs, productivity, and workforce dynamics by 2035. According to the report, outcomes will depend on policy choices related to skills development, labour protections, and social support systems.

The report outlines three possible scenarios ranging from inclusive AI-driven growth to increased inequality linked to insufficient labour protections and workforce adaptation measures.

One projected strong AI-driven economic growth, combined with large-scale investment in workforce transition and retraining programmes.

Another warned that rapid technological adoption without sufficient social safeguards could deepen inequality and displace large numbers of lower- and middle-skilled workers.

A third scenario envisaged a more gradual AI integration, supported by coordinated policy reforms and inclusive labour-market strategies.

The report identifies sectors such as healthcare, education, logistics, tourism, and digital services as areas where AI-related employment opportunities may emerge. At the same time, the organisations noted that automation could reduce demand for some routine and clerical occupations.

ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat said AI technologies are already affecting workplaces across public administration and service sectors in the region. She added that nearly one-quarter of occupations may experience either displacement or technological augmentation linked to generative AI systems.

The analysis also highlighted widening skills mismatches between education systems and labour market demands, with some countries facing gaps ranging from 40% to 70%. The report also highlights the importance of investment in lifelong learning, labour market institutions, social protection, and AI governance frameworks.

The discussions took place during a preparatory session linked to the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development, where policymakers, labour organisations, and international experts examined how AI may affect youth employment, women workers, and lower-skilled populations across the region.

Why does it matter?

ILO highlights how developing and emerging economies may experience AI transitions differently depending on infrastructure, education systems, governance capacity, and investment levels. Policymakers across the Arab region are now under increasing pressure to modernise labour systems while ensuring that AI adoption supports inclusive growth instead of deepening social inequality.

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EU lawmakers challenge confidentiality rules on data centre emissions data

A group of 35 Members of the European Parliament has called on the European Commission to review confidentiality rules affecting public access to environmental data from data centres. The request focused on the disclosure of information related to emissions, energy use, and water consumption.

According to reporting by Investigate Europe, the disputed wording was linked to proposals submitted during consultations by Microsoft and DIGITALEUROPE. The clause was later incorporated into the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and limits disclosure of certain information related to individual data centres.

Critics argue that the measure may reduce transparency regarding the environmental impact of expanding digital infrastructure. Some lawmakers and advocacy groups have also raised questions about compatibility with transparency principles under the Aarhus Convention. Reports said critics believe the rules reduce scrutiny of the environmental impact linked to expanding AI and cloud infrastructure.

The lawmakers called on the European Commission to reconsider the provision and publish more detailed environmental reporting data. The issue has contributed to broader discussions in the EU regarding environmental accountability and oversight of digital infrastructure.

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UK government launches cyber resilience measures amid AI-related risks

The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has warned that cyber threats are becoming more frequent and complex, with AI contributing to faster and more scalable attacks. Digital Minister Baroness Lloyd of Effra said cyber resilience is increasingly important for national security and economic stability.

According to the government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey, 43% of businesses reported experiencing a cyber breach or attack during the past year. The minister said AI tools are making some cyber capabilities more accessible by automating tasks such as vulnerability detection and reconnaissance.

The government also encouraged technology providers to adopt a ‘secure by design’ approach and referred to existing cybersecurity guidance frameworks.

The Department additionally announced a £90 million cyber resilience fund intended to support businesses, including SMEs and NHS suppliers. The government said a broader National Cyber Action Plan is expected later this summer.

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NASA develops AI system to track harmful algal blooms using satellite data

NASA researchers have developed an AI system designed to combine satellite datasets to improve monitoring of harmful algal blooms.

The system uses self-supervised machine learning to analyse patterns across five satellite missions and instruments, helping researchers identify blooms in regions including western Florida and Southern California. According to researchers, the approach could support environmental monitoring and earlier identification of marine health risks.

Harmful algal blooms can affect ecosystems, wildlife, coastal environments, and public health. In parts of Florida, blooms caused by Karenia brevis have disrupted coastal communities for decades, while toxic blooms along the US West Coast have harmed dolphins, sea lions, and other marine species.

NASA researchers said the system combines information from multiple satellite observation technologies. Instruments such as the PACE satellite and the TROPOMI monitoring instrument help identify algae characteristics, including pigment, fluorescence, and biological activity across ocean surfaces.

The researchers said the self-supervised AI model identifies relationships between datasets without relying heavily on manually labelled data. The system was trained using satellite observations collected during 2018 and 2019 before being tested on later bloom events.

Michelle Gierach of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said the system could help environmental agencies identify areas for water sampling earlier during bloom development. Researchers said combining satellite observations with field data may improve coordination between scientific and public health teams.

The project team said the system is being expanded using additional coastal and freshwater datasets.

Why does it matter?

NASA’s development highlights growing use of AI and satellite intelligence for environmental monitoring and climate-related risk management. Harmful algal blooms are becoming an increasing concern for coastal economies, fisheries, tourism, biodiversity, and public health systems worldwide.

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Australia’s regulator targets AI-nudify platform over child safety and deepfake risks

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has begun enforcement action against another AI-powered ‘nudify’ service accused of failing to protect children from exposure to sexually explicit deepfake images.

The regulator issued a formal Direction to Comply to one of the most visited nudify services in Australia, giving the provider 14 days to implement stronger protections preventing children from accessing the platform. eSafety said the service allows users to upload images of real people and generate sexually explicit deepfake content on demand.

The regulator warned that such technologies can facilitate non-consensual exploitation, cyberbullying, sexual extortion, image-based sexual abuse, misogynistic harassment and exploitation of minors. The service had attracted nearly 40,000 Australian visits per month as of March 2026, following a sharp increase in traffic over the previous six months.

The enforcement action was taken under Australia’s Age-Restricted Material Codes, which came into force in March 2026. The codes are designed to prevent children from accessing or being exposed to age-restricted material, including pornography, high-impact violence, self-harm, suicide or disordered eating content.

eSafety said the Argentina-based provider failed to respond to earlier engagement after the codes took effect and had not committed to improving protections for children. The regulator chose not to name the service to avoid inadvertently promoting it.

If the service does not meet the requirements within the 14-day timeframe, eSafety may pursue further action, including civil penalties of up to AU$49.5 million and delisting notices to search engine providers that help facilitate access to the site.

The action follows earlier enforcement in late 2025 that led three widely used nudify services, which had reportedly been used to generate child sexual exploitation material in schools, to withdraw from Australia. Those services have since relaunched under new ownership with additional safety measures, including mandatory age assurance.

Why does it matter?

The case shows how online safety regulators are beginning to apply age-assurance and child protection rules directly to generative AI services. Nudify platforms are treated as high-risk because they can enable non-consensual sexualised deepfakes, image-based abuse and exploitation involving minors at scale. Australia’s enforcement approach also signals that regulators may target foreign-based AI services when they are accessible to local users and fail to implement safeguards.

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Meta reportedly cuts 8,000 jobs as AI investment and restructuring accelerate globally

Meta is reportedly cutting about 8,000 jobs globally as part of a restructuring aimed at reducing costs while increasing spending on AI infrastructure and products.

According to media reports, the cuts represent about 10% of Meta’s workforce and are intended, in part, to offset the cost of the company’s expanding AI investments. The reductions are expected to affect engineering and product teams in particular, with employees in several regions notified as the restructuring begins.

Reports also indicate that around 7,000 employees are being reassigned to new AI-focused teams, while thousands of open roles have been closed. The restructuring reflects Meta’s effort to redirect resources towards AI products, infrastructure and agent-based tools across its platforms.

In Ireland, reports said around 350 jobs were affected, representing a significant share of Meta’s local workforce. The company has not publicly confirmed all regional figures, but said affected employees and authorities had been notified.

The cuts come as Meta prepares for a major increase in AI-related capital expenditure. Reports say the company expects spending to rise sharply in 2026 as it builds infrastructure for AI models, personalised assistants and other AI-powered features across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and its wider product ecosystem.

Staff concerns have also emerged around the pace of restructuring, internal communication and workplace monitoring linked to AI development. Reports cited employee unease over plans to monitor computer activity as part of AI training practices.

Why does it matter?

Meta’s restructuring shows how major technology companies are reallocating labour and capital around AI. The reported job cuts are not only a cost-saving exercise, but part of a wider shift in which companies are redirecting resources towards AI infrastructure, automation and agentic systems. The development also highlights a growing tension in the tech sector: AI is being presented as a long-term growth engine, while workers face uncertainty over how that transition will reshape roles, teams and investment priorities.

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Việt Nam highlights AI in national digital transformation strategy

Việt Nam’s Ministry of Science and Technology has highlighted AI as part of the country’s digital transformation and innovation strategy. Officials said AI is being prioritised alongside technologies including big data, cloud computing, blockchain, and the Internet of Things.

The comments were made during a workshop focused on AI products and technology cooperation. Participants said businesses are showing growing interest in AI adoption while facing implementation and investment challenges.

Discussions also addressed data infrastructure, computing capacity, and explainable AI systems for public administration and urban management.

Participants said stronger infrastructure, workforce development, and research support could help expand Việt Nam’s role in the regional AI and digital technology sectors. The workshop took place in Hà Nội, Việt Nam.

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Singapore and Google strengthen collaboration on AI innovation and digital governance

Google and Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information have announced an expanded National AI Partnership designed to accelerate the deployment of frontier AI technologies across the country’s economy and public sector.

The initiative builds on earlier collaboration between Google and Singapore’s digital authorities and aims to support healthcare innovation, scientific research, workforce development, enterprise transformation, and AI governance. Officials said the partnership aligns with Singapore’s National AI Strategy and broader ambitions to position the country as a global AI hub.

A major focus of the collaboration involves healthcare and life sciences. Google DeepMind is exploring AI co-clinician systems with Singapore’s public healthcare sector, examining how AI agents could support doctors and patients throughout medical treatment and decision-making processes.

Google DeepMind will also collaborate with the National Research Foundation to train researchers on agentic AI systems designed to accelerate scientific discovery. Additional partnerships with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research will focus on AI-enabled research and secure cloud-based scientific analysis tools.

The agreement also expands AI deployment in education. Google and Singapore’s Ministry of Education plan to strengthen educator training programmes and integrate AI-powered teaching support tools across schools. Officials said the partnership aims to improve digital learning capabilities while supporting broader AI workforce readiness initiatives.

Singapore and Google additionally announced plans to collaborate on AI safety, governance, and cybersecurity frameworks. A joint initiative involving Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and other agencies is examining how AI agents interact with real-world digital systems and how governance rules should evolve around autonomous AI technologies.

Officials described the partnership as part of a wider effort to deploy frontier AI responsibly while supporting economic growth, public services, and digital transformation.

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Google explores AI-assisted scientific discovery through Gemini for Science

Google has introduced Gemini for Science, a collection of AI tools and experiments designed to support scientific research workflows. The initiative combines capabilities from systems including Co-Scientist, AlphaEvolve, Empirical Research Assistance, and NotebookLM.

According to Google, the AI-based tools are intended to support tasks such as hypothesis generation, literature analysis, and computational research.

Google said three experimental tools will initially be released through Google Labs, focusing on hypothesis generation, computational discovery and literature analysis. The company also announced Science Skills for Google Antigravity, integrating multiple life sciences databases and research tools.

Google said the programme is being developed in collaboration with more than 100 research institutions and scientific organisations. The company also highlighted research partnerships and conference collaborations linked to AI-supported scientific research.

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