ai Archives | Page 3 of 390 | Digital Watch Observatory

Malaysian PM urges ethical AI development

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for AI development to be guided by humanity, ethics and moral values, arguing that technological progress should serve society and uphold human dignity.

Speaking during a special lecture at the University of Tokyo, Anwar said AI and other emerging technologies could transform economies, improve public services and enhance quality of life. However, he stressed that innovation should be shaped by strong ethical principles rather than technological capability alone.

According to Anadolu Agency, Anwar said AI development should be guided by justice, accountability and compassion. He added that governments, researchers and businesses share responsibility for ensuring that technology strengthens social cohesion and supports the common good.

The Malaysian prime minister also called for stronger international cooperation to manage the opportunities and risks linked to rapid technological change. He said countries should work together to promote inclusive and sustainable development while safeguarding ethical standards.

Why does it matter?

AI governance debates are increasingly moving beyond technical safety and economic competitiveness towards questions of values, accountability and public interest. Anwar’s remarks are not a new regulatory measure, but they reflect how governments in Asia are framing AI as a societal and diplomatic issue, with ethics, inclusion and international cooperation becoming recurring policy themes.

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

Philippine House passes anti-disinformation bill on final reading

The House of Representatives of the Philippines has approved the proposed Digital Media Anti-False Information Act on its third and final reading.

According to the House’s Press and Public Affairs Bureau, the measure passed with 286 votes in favour, three against, and seven abstentions.

The bill seeks to address organised disinformation campaigns, troll farms, bot networks, fake account syndicates, and foreign-backed influence operations. It also covers AI-generated or manipulated content that is released without disclosure and intended to mislead the public.

Individuals found guilty of knowingly spreading false information that causes verifiable public harm or threatens national security could face six to 12 years in prison and fines ranging from PHP 500,000 to PHP 2 million.

The measure would require digital platforms operating in the country to maintain a legal presence and meet transparency standards.

The House said the bill includes protections for freedom of expression, including political opinions, criticism of government, journalism, satire, academic discourse, artistic expression, and whistleblowing.

It also calls for stronger media and digital literacy programmes through the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education.

Why does it matter?

The bill shows how governments are trying to address organised disinformation, bot networks, fake accounts, and AI-generated manipulation through platform rules and criminal penalties. The Philippines case is especially important because it combines anti-disinformation enforcement with explicit free-expression safeguards, but the severity of the penalties means implementation and interpretation will be closely watched

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

US unveils new strategy to accelerate AI adoption in national security

The Trump administration has issued a new National Security Presidential Memorandum aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI across the US national security apparatus.

According to the White House, the framework is intended to ensure that military personnel, intelligence professionals and national security agencies have access to advanced AI systems while maintaining accountability and operational control.

The memorandum directs federal agencies to expand the use of commercial and open-source AI technologies in support of national security missions. It also calls for investment in next-generation secure computing infrastructure capable of supporting increasingly advanced AI models and computational workloads.

The memorandum also proposes the creation of an AI National Security Strategic Reserve, bringing together leading non-governmental experts to support national security priorities.

The new framework places emphasis on accountability, reliability and command authority. The White House emphasised that agency leaders and military commanders will remain accountable for decisions and operations supported by AI systems.

Why does it matter?

AI is increasingly viewed as a strategic capability across defence, intelligence, cybersecurity and military planning. Governments are investing heavily in AI systems that can enhance analysis, decision support, operational planning and threat detection.

The memorandum signals Washington’s intention to accelerate the integration of AI into national security operations while maintaining human oversight and accountability. It also reflects broader geopolitical competition over advanced technologies, as major powers seek to secure advantages in AI-driven security capabilities.

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

UK project tests how legal data can support AI use in government

The UK Government Digital Service has highlighted data maturity as a key requirement for preparing public sector data for AI use.

The findings come from a project conducted with The National Archives, part of GDS’s wider work to ensure public sector data is managed as a strategic national asset.

During a discovery phase completed in April 2026, the organisations assessed whether legal data, including legislation and case law, could be prepared for AI applications. The work focused on governance, data quality, organisational readiness, and the risks of exposing government data to AI systems, rather than building a specific AI tool.

GDS found that The National Archives’ legal data is already close to AI-ready, thanks to high data quality, strong leadership, relevant skills, and mature governance practices. It said that good data alone is not enough; public sector organisations also need the right people, processes, and culture to use data safely, ethically, and responsibly.

The project also identified the evaluation and validation of AI-generated outputs as a significant future opportunity for the government. GDS said public bodies could add value by developing tools and standards to assess whether AI outputs are trustworthy, rather than replicating services already developed by major technology companies.

The next phase will explore how data maturity can reduce the risks of using AI with public sector data. It will also examine technologies such as the Model Context Protocol, an open-source standard for connecting AI applications to external systems, including databases, tools, and documents.

Why does it matter?

The project shows that AI readiness in government depends on more than deploying new tools. Public bodies need high-quality data, strong governance, clear accountability, and the ability to evaluate AI-generated outputs before relying on them in services that affect citizens and businesses. The work also points to a useful role for government: setting standards for trustworthy AI outputs, rather than simply building public-sector versions of commercial AI products.

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

RCC meeting focuses on AI, roaming and regional connectivity

The Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications and the CIS Coordination Council for Informatization held a joint meeting in St Petersburg on 5 June, bringing together communications officials, international organisations and industry representatives.

The meeting was chaired by Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, in his role as Chair of the RCC Board of Heads of Communications Administrations and the CIS Coordination Council.

Participants discussed preparations for the 2026 International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, the development of non-geostationary orbit communication systems, interstate roaming across RCC and CIS countries, IT parks, start-ups and regional cooperation in communications and information technologies.

AI was also among the key themes. Participants discussed the application of AI and the creation of a regional expert council on AI and digital technologies.

The meeting also addressed the establishment of a Regional Fund for the Development of the RCC Sovereign Digital Space and broader efforts to strengthen digitalisation and technological development across the region.

Representatives from ITU, the Universal Postal Union, the Eurasian Economic Commission, CIS bodies and other international organisations also took part. The next joint meeting is scheduled to September 2026 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Why does it matter?

The meeting shows how regional communications bodies are linking traditional telecom issues, such as roaming, satellite systems and IT parks, with newer digital policy priorities, including AI governance and sovereign digital infrastructure. The proposed regional expert council on AI and digital technologies is the strongest governance angle, while the RCC Sovereign Digital Space fund points to growing regional interest in digital autonomy and infrastructure coordination.

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

Microsoft urges stronger biosecurity safeguards as AI transforms biotechnology

Microsoft has argued that rapid advances in AI and biotechnology are creating new biosecurity challenges that require stronger safeguards and closer cooperation between governments, industry, and the scientific community.

The company said AI is accelerating scientific discovery across areas such as healthcare, drug development, and materials science, while also increasing concerns about accidental harm and deliberate misuse of biological technologies.

Microsoft identifies a growing convergence between general-purpose AI models, specialised biological design tools, laboratory automation systems, and agentic AI technologies. The company argues that these capabilities can accelerate legitimate research but also complicate the biosecurity policy landscape.

A central focus of Microsoft’s recommendations is nucleic acid synthesis screening. The company describes synthetic DNA providers as a critical checkpoint in the biotechnology ecosystem because they are often where digital biological designs are translated into physical materials.

Microsoft said current DNA synthesis screening practices remain largely voluntary and unevenly applied across providers. It warned that gaps in screening become more consequential as AI-enabled biological design tools become more powerful.

The company pointed to its Paraphrase Project, which stress-tested existing screening systems against AI-designed biological sequences. Microsoft said the project showed where safeguards could fail and how they could be improved through responsible disclosure, red teaming, and rapid deployment of fixes.

Microsoft also highlighted growing bipartisan attention to biosecurity in the United States, including a 2025 executive order on biological research safety and the proposed Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act. The company said stronger screening requirements, conformity assessments, enforcement mechanisms, and public-private collaboration could help reduce risk while sustaining scientific innovation.

Why does it matter?

AI is becoming part of the biotechnology research pipeline, from biological design tools to automated laboratories. Microsoft’s intervention shows that AI safety debates are expanding beyond model behaviour and content safeguards into the physical infrastructure of science, including DNA synthesis providers, laboratory workflows, technical standards, and biosecurity screening. The key policy question is how to preserve scientific openness while preventing AI-enabled misuse of biological capabilities.

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

Australia’s regulator warns of growing AI-powered sextortion threat

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has launched a public awareness campaign warning that criminals are increasingly using AI and other digital tools in sextortion scams.

The initiative, titled ‘If sextortionists were honest’, uses generative AI to expose deceptive tactics used by online criminals targeting victims through dating apps and social media platforms.

According to eSafety, more than 3,300 reports of sexual extortion were received through its image-based abuse scheme in 2025. Eighty-six percent of reports came from males of all ages, while 42% of all sextortion reports involved males aged 18 to 24.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said offenders are already weaponising face-swapping and voice-cloning technologies, while using generative AI to create fake but convincing online characters and improve scam scripts that previously contained warning signs such as poor grammar or inconsistent messaging.

Reports made to eSafety show that first contact frequently occurs on platforms such as Tinder, Instagram, and Grindr, before conversations are moved to WhatsApp, Telegram, or other messaging apps. Offenders may then search victims’ social media accounts to identify family members and friends they can threaten to contact.

The regulator said overseas offenders often try to appear local and legitimate, including by spoofing Australian phone numbers, using intimate images taken from other victims, or using bank accounts belonging to previous victims to receive and move payments.

eSafety said the safest response is to stop contact, report the account to the platform, block the offender, preserve evidence where possible, and seek support rather than paying. The regulator also called on platforms to take proactive Safety by Design steps, including better language analysis, classifier-based detection, accessible reporting and blocking tools, swift removal pathways for image-based abuse, and cross-platform signal sharing.

Why does it matter?

The campaign shows how generative AI is making online coercion and scams harder to detect. Sextortion is no longer only a problem of fake accounts and blackmail messages: offenders can now use AI-generated personas, improved scripts, voice cloning, and deepfake-style techniques to build trust and pressure victims more effectively. That raises the importance of platform-level detection, user reporting tools, digital literacy, and victim support.

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

UK regulator launches AI-assisted review of gambling advertising

The UK Gambling Commission has announced a new compliance initiative targeting gambling advertising, following an enforcement notice issued by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP). The measure aims to prevent gambling advertisements from having a strong appeal to people under 18.

From 11 June, CAP will conduct a monitoring exercise using its AI-powered Active Ad Monitoring System in collaboration with social media platforms. The review will assess whether gambling advertisements comply with rules intended to protect children and other vulnerable audiences.

Under the enforcement notice, businesses found to be in breach of the rules may be required to amend or remove advertisements without delay. Failure to comply could lead to sanctions, including referrals to hosting platforms or the Gambling Commission.

The Gambling Commission said operators must ensure that all advertising, including content published on social media, remains socially responsible and complies with CAP and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) requirements.

Why does it matter?

Regulators are increasingly using AI tools to monitor online advertising at scale, particularly in areas where consumer protection concerns are significant. Gambling advertising remains a sensitive issue because of its potential impact on children and other vulnerable groups.

The initiative signals a more proactive approach to enforcement, combining automated monitoring with platform cooperation to identify problematic content more quickly and strengthen compliance with advertising standards.

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

UN warns of AI’s growing environmental footprint

As AI continues to reshape economies, industries and daily life, a new report from the United Nations University (UNU) highlights the environmental challenges associated with its rapid adoption. While discussions often focus on greenhouse gas emissions linked to AI systems, researchers argue that the technology’s impact on water resources, land use and electronic waste deserves equal attention.

According to the report, data centres supporting AI applications could consume up to 945 terawatt-hours of electricity annually by 2030. Beyond electricity demand, AI-related water consumption could reach levels equivalent to the annual household needs of 1.3 billion people, while the land footprint associated with AI infrastructure may exceed 14,500 square kilometres.

Researchers note that environmental pressures vary significantly depending on the technologies and energy sources used to power AI systems.

The UN report also finds that routine AI use, rather than model training alone, accounts for a significant share of resource consumption. Everyday activities such as generating images, videos and text require substantial computing power, with image generation demanding significantly more energy than basic text-based tasks. Growing adoption may further increase total resource consumption despite improvements in efficiency.

Researchers note that the environmental costs of AI infrastructure are often concentrated in specific regions, while the benefits of AI are distributed more broadly across the global economy. Expanding data centres, rising electricity demand, increasing water consumption and growing volumes of electronic waste could place additional pressure on communities and countries already facing resource constraints.

The report calls for responsible AI development supported by greater transparency, sustainable infrastructure planning, international cooperation and governance measures aimed at keeping technological progress within environmental limits.

Why does it matter?

Debates about AI sustainability often focus on carbon emissions, but the report argues that water consumption, land use and electronic waste are becoming equally important considerations as AI infrastructure expands. These impacts could become increasingly significant as governments and companies invest in larger data centres and more powerful AI systems.

The findings also highlight the need for environmental considerations to be integrated into AI governance and infrastructure planning. As AI adoption accelerates worldwide, policymakers face growing pressure to balance technological innovation with sustainability and resource management goals.

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

Canada launches AI for All national strategy to accelerate adoption and digital sovereignty

Canada has launched AI for All, a new national AI strategy aimed at accelerating AI adoption, strengthening digital sovereignty, and positioning the country as a leading AI economy.

Announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney, the strategy combines proposed legislation, investments, and programmes intended to ensure AI is adopted responsibly and benefits businesses, workers, students, and communities across Canada.

The strategy targets an additional C$200 billion in economic growth, 250,000 new AI-related jobs over the next five years, and an increase in AI adoption from just over 12% today to 60% by 2034. The government also plans to provide up to 90,000 AI-related jobs and work placement opportunities for young Canadians.

The strategy is built around three principles: building trust, creating opportunities, and reinforcing Canadian sovereignty. To build trust, the government plans to modernise digital legislation, strengthen protections for personal information, address harms such as deepfakes and surveillance pricing, introduce an online safety regime, and expand the capabilities of the Canadian AI Safety Institute.

To create opportunities, the government will establish a National AI Literacy Initiative, provide access to trusted AI agents for post-secondary students, help small and medium-sized businesses adopt AI, support worker training, and launch an AI Missions Program with a flagship health mission focused on diagnostics, patient care, and system efficiency.

To reinforce sovereignty, Canada plans to build domestic AI foundations, including compute, cloud, connectivity, data, and talent. Measures include a world-leading public AI supercomputer, investments in sovereign compute and cloud infrastructure, better access to growth capital for Canadian AI companies, strategic public procurement, and expanded support for AI talent.

The government said the strategy is intended to ensure more AI value is created in Canada while strengthening privacy, data protection, public services, productivity, and economic security.

Why does it matter?

Canada’s AI for All strategy links AI adoption directly to economic growth, workforce development, public trust, and technological sovereignty. The strategy reflects a wider shift among governments: AI policy is no longer focused only on research excellence, but also on compute infrastructure, cloud sovereignty, data governance, safety institutions, business adoption, public procurement, and skills. Its success will depend on whether Canada can turn ambitious targets into measurable adoption across businesses, public services, and workers.

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