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UK CMA targets AI search content use in new Google conduct requirements

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has imposed a new conduct requirement on Google Search under the country’s digital markets competition regime. The measure is designed to give publishers greater control over how their content is used and to improve transparency for users.

Under the new requirement, publishers will be able to prevent their content from being used in Google’s AI-powered search features, including AI Overviews. The CMA said the measure is intended to strengthen publishers’ ability to negotiate content licensing and usage agreements with Google.

Google will also be required to provide clearer attribution for publisher content used in AI-generated search results through prominently visible links. Following consultation feedback, publishers will also be able to opt out of having their content used to fine-tune Google’s AI models.

The CMA said it will continue monitoring Google’s AI-related changes to search and may introduce additional measures if competition concerns persist. Google will have up to nine months to implement the requirements and must publish regular compliance reports as the rollout progresses in the UK.

Why does it matter?

The decision highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of how AI-powered search systems use third-party content. As search engines increasingly generate answers directly within search results, publishers have raised concerns about attribution, traffic losses and the use of their content for AI training.

The UK’s approach could influence broader debates about the relationship between AI platforms, publishers and competition policy, particularly as regulators seek to balance innovation with transparency and fair commercial practices.

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Aithos LARA reveals major AI compliance gaps under the EU AI Act and the GDPR

The Aithos Research Foundation has launched Aithos LARA (Legal Assessment for Real-world Agents), a public evaluation framework designed to assess whether AI agents comply with key European legal requirements.

The framework places AI models in simulated workplace and consumer-service scenarios where completing assigned tasks may involve actions that conflict with provisions of the EU AI Act or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

According to Aithos, an initial evaluation involving more than 3,000 tests across 12 frontier AI models found that none consistently met acceptable levels of legal compliance. Compliance rates ranged from 7% to 54%, with the highest-performing model adhering to legal requirements in only slightly more than half of the assessed scenarios.

The research suggests that current frontier AI systems may prioritise task completion over legal obligations when operating with a high degree of autonomy.

Furthermore, the study assessed compliance with six provisions of the EU AI Act and four core GDPR principles, including transparency, lawful processing, data minimisation and purpose limitation.

Researchers reported instances in which models generated outputs that would conflict with some of the AI Act’s prohibited practices, including exploiting vulnerable individuals, conducting emotion recognition in workplace environments and engaging in forms of manipulation prohibited under European law.

To increase transparency, Aithos has made evaluation transcripts, model outputs and judicial assessments publicly available. The organisation argues that independent and public oversight can complement company-led governance efforts by providing greater transparency into how AI systems behave in legally and ethically sensitive contexts.

Why does it matter?

The findings highlight the challenges of deploying AI agents in regulated environments where legal compliance is essential. As organisations increasingly explore AI for customer service, human resources, finance and operational decision-making, ensuring that systems comply with data protection and AI regulations is becoming a key governance requirement.

The research also underscores the growing importance of independent testing and oversight mechanisms as policymakers and regulators seek to evaluate how autonomous AI systems behave in real-world scenarios.

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Greece advances digital transformation with AI, interoperability and cybersecurity measures

Greece’s Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, Dimitris Papastergiou, has outlined a broad digital transformation agenda in an interview with the newspaper Manifesto, highlighting new legislation, AI deployment, cybersecurity measures and digital public services.

A key element of the agenda is the implementation of the EU’s ‘once-only’ principle, which allows citizens and businesses in Greece to avoid repeatedly submitting the same information to public authorities across the EU. The legislation also introduces more than 800 new interoperability connections between government systems, aiming to reduce bureaucracy and improve service delivery.

Papastergiou highlighted the growing use of AI in public administration, including the mAigov digital assistant, which has handled more than 4.4 million citizen queries. Greece is also investing in AI infrastructure projects, including the Daedalus supercomputer and the Pharos AI Factory, while preparing national legislation aligned with the EU AI Act.

The minister also highlighted a memorandum of understanding with voice AI company ElevenLabs aimed at improving accessibility and public services through voice-based technologies. Additional initiatives include the creation of a Unified Property Hub, stronger anti-phishing measures, a National Malicious Websites Blocking List, the Defective Vehicle Recall Registry and enhancements to the MyStreet application.

On child online safety, Greece plans to introduce age-verification requirements for users under 15 through the Kids Wallet application from January 2027. According to the minister, the system will verify age without exposing or storing unnecessary personal information.

Why does it matter?

Greece’s plans illustrate how governments are increasingly combining AI deployment, digital public services and cybersecurity measures within broader digital transformation strategies.

The initiatives also reflect wider European efforts to improve interoperability, strengthen digital infrastructure, enhance online safety for children and prepare for the implementation of the EU AI Act.

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NGI Commons outlines expectations for the EU Tech Sovereignty Package

NGI Commons has outlined expectations for the European Union’s forthcoming Tech Sovereignty Package, a policy initiative aimed at strengthening Europe’s control over critical digital technologies and reducing reliance on non-European providers.

The initiative is expected to focus on semiconductors, cloud computing, AI and open-source software. According to NGI Commons, the package aims to align and simplify existing policies rather than introduce a new layer of regulation.

The framework builds on recommendations from Mario Draghi’s report on European competitiveness and seeks to support innovation, competitiveness and the EU’s broader objective of open strategic autonomy. A central element of the proposal is the recognition of open technologies as digital commons that underpin Europe’s digital ecosystem.

The analysis argues that open-source software should be treated as strategic infrastructure and supported through long-term funding, coordinated development efforts and greater public-sector adoption to strengthen digital resilience and security.

The report notes that challenges remain, including securing long-term funding, managing the growing energy demands of AI infrastructure and attracting investment, as policymakers seek to balance technological sovereignty with competitiveness.

Why does it matter?

The Tech Sovereignty Package is expected to shape how Europe approaches critical technologies such as semiconductors, cloud services, AI and open-source software in the coming years.

By treating open technologies as strategic infrastructure, policymakers could strengthen digital resilience, reduce external dependencies and support the EU’s broader goal of technological sovereignty while maintaining competitiveness in the global digital economy.

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NVIDIA expands global AI Cloud network to support sovereign and agentic AI

NVIDIA has announced a major expansion of its AI Cloud ecosystem, supporting the rapid global deployment of AI factory infrastructure designed to meet growing demand for agentic AI, physical AI, sovereign AI and large-scale inference workloads.

The initiative aims to expand access to high-performance computing resources for enterprises, startups, governments, researchers and AI developers worldwide.

According to NVIDIA, the ecosystem now spans six continents, with new partners expanding AI Cloud infrastructure across multiple regions. The company said the expansion is intended to bring AI computing resources closer to users, industries and national AI initiatives while supporting regional and sovereign AI requirements.

Several cloud providers are expanding infrastructure to support advanced AI applications, including model training, fine-tuning, inference and AI agent development. Companies including CoreWeave, Firmus, Nebius and others are deploying new AI factories capable of supporting model training, fine-tuning, inference and AI agent development.

The expansion also includes support for emerging physical AI and robotics workloads through platforms such as NVIDIA Cosmos and Isaac.

NVIDIA also highlighted growing adoption of its DSX platform, which is designed to help cloud providers deploy and manage AI factories more efficiently. The company said AI infrastructure is increasingly being assessed using metrics such as cost per token, energy efficiency and infrastructure utilisation, rather than raw computing capacity alone.

Why does it matter?

The expansion highlights the growing importance of AI infrastructure as governments and companies compete to secure the computing resources needed for advanced AI systems. Access to large-scale computing capacity is increasingly viewed as a strategic asset, particularly as countries pursue sovereign AI initiatives and seek greater control over critical digital infrastructure.

The announcement also reflects a broader shift in the AI industry, where demand is expanding beyond model training to include inference, autonomous agents and robotics applications, placing new emphasis on infrastructure efficiency, energy use and geographic distribution of computing resources.

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France secures a €75 billion SoftBank investment for AI data centres

SoftBank Group has announced plans to develop and operate 5 GW of AI data centre capacity in France, representing an investment of up to €75 billion.

The commitment was announced at the 2026 Choose France summit and marks SoftBank Group’s largest AI infrastructure investment in Europe. The company said the project is designed to expand access to high-performance computing capacity and strengthen France’s role as a European hub for AI infrastructure.

The first phase includes an initial €45 billion investment to deliver 3.1 GW of AI data centre capacity in the Hauts-de-France region by 2031. Planned sites include Dunkirk, Bosquel, and Bouchain, with additional projects expected elsewhere in France.

The infrastructure is intended to support demand for high-performance computing from AI companies, cloud providers, enterprises, public institutions, and research organisations.

A major component of the initiative is a strategic industrial partnership with Schneider Electric. The companies will establish a large-scale industrial production cluster at the Port of Dunkirk focused on data centre infrastructure.

The cluster will include two facilities: one operated by SoftBank Group to manufacture enclosures, and one operated by Schneider Electric to integrate data centre power modules. The partnership will combine SoftBank’s robotics and automation capabilities with Schneider Electric’s energy technology expertise and local supply chain network.

SoftBank said the project is expected to create thousands of high-skilled jobs across data centre development, engineering, energy systems, robotics, operations, maintenance, and advanced manufacturing. The company also plans to support regional research and development through partnerships with universities, engineering schools, and training institutions.

Why does it matter?

SoftBank’s project would significantly expand Europe’s AI compute capacity at a time when data centres, energy infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing are becoming central to AI competitiveness. The investment also links digital sovereignty with industrial policy: France is not only seeking more AI computing infrastructure, but also a localised supply chain for data centre equipment, power systems, robotics, and technical skills.

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Meta turns to subscriptions amid growing AI infrastructure costs

Meta has launched paid subscription plans for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp as part of a broader effort to diversify revenue beyond advertising. The new offerings form part of a subscription strategy called ‘Meta One‘.

Meta said the subscriptions include additional features for users, while separate premium offerings for creators, businesses and Meta AI users are currently being tested. The company indicated that these future services will also sit under the Meta One umbrella.

The announcement comes as Meta continues to increase spending on AI infrastructure. The company has projected capital expenditure of between USD 125 billion and USD 145 billion in 2026, much of it linked to AI data centres, increasing investor attention on how those investments will generate returns.

According to Euronews, Meta shares rose following the announcement. The company said subscription products will roll out globally, while some future Meta One offerings are expected to begin testing in selected markets outside the EU.

Why does it matter?

The launch of Meta One marks a further shift in Meta’s business strategy as the company looks to diversify revenue beyond digital advertising. Subscription services could provide new income streams while supporting investments in AI infrastructure and premium digital products.

The move also reflects a broader trend among technology companies seeking alternative business models as competition intensifies and AI development costs continue to rise.

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GCHQ outlines AI-driven cyber defence programme for protecting critical infrastructure

The UK’s signals intelligence agency GCHQ has announced plans to develop an AI-powered national cyber defence capability that would use autonomous software agents to identify and respond to cyber threats at machine speed. Speaking publicly, GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler described the initiative as a ‘blueprint for a new national cyber defence capability’ to be operational within five years.

The programme would apply agentic AI to monitor and protect critical sectors including energy, water, healthcare, transport, and financial services. According to Keast-Butler, advances in AI are accelerating the discovery of software vulnerabilities, increasing pressure on defenders to identify and mitigate risks more quickly.

UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis had previously outlined the national cyber shield concept in April, noting that protecting critical infrastructure in an AI-enabled environment would require approaches beyond standard commercial security products. The Cabinet Office has since approached AI companies to contribute to the development of these capabilities.

GCHQ is separately integrating AI into its intelligence analysis workflows, including language translation and large-scale data processing.

Alongside the cyber defence announcement, Keast-Butler addressed two further technical priorities. On quantum computing, she noted that post-quantum encryption is now an active planning requirement rather than a future consideration, pointing to National Cyber Security Centre guidance on transitioning to quantum-resistant algorithms. On space, she observed that the volume of orbital infrastructure has grown substantially — over 10,000 new objects launched in three years — with GCHQ working to secure space-based systems that underpin data transmission globally.

GCHQ’s Mathematics directorate is developing new cryptographic methods suited to the post-quantum environment, building on the agency’s role in pioneering public-key cryptography in the 1970s.

Taken together, the announcements sketch a broader shift in how GCHQ positions its role. The announcements suggest a broader role for GCHQ, combining intelligence, cybersecurity, cryptography and infrastructure protection as part of the UK’s wider digital resilience strategy.

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China showcases AI innovation and global cooperation at World Intelligence Expo 2026

The 2026 World Intelligence Expo has opened in Tianjin, bringing together more than 700 exhibitors to present AI technologies, products, and application scenarios.

The four-day event is co-hosted by the municipal governments of Tianjin and Chongqing under the theme ‘Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver’. It features seven exhibition zones covering embodied AI, core AI technologies, the low-altitude economy, commercial space exploration, and other emerging technology areas.

Chinese officials used the event to emphasise the integration of AI into manufacturing, industrial operations, and the broader digital economy. Ke Jixin, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, said the ministry would advance the ‘AI+ manufacturing’ initiative, strengthen innovation capabilities, and improve the industrial environment for AI development.

A major focus of the expo is developing high-quality datasets to support intelligent manufacturing. Liu Liehong, head of the National Data Administration, said China would support industry leaders and pilot entities in building sector-specific datasets in areas including automobile manufacturing, shipbuilding, rail transit, non-ferrous metals, and petrochemicals.

The event also highlighted China’s interest in expanding international AI cooperation. Chen Jiachang, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, said China is making AI a priority in bilateral and multilateral technology cooperation, including capacity development.

Representatives from countries including the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan discussed potential cooperation with China across AI, advanced technologies, the digital economy, the internet of things, fintech, medical technology, and software.

More than 200 new products, technologies, achievements, and research reports are expected to be released during the expo, covering embodied AI, intelligent connected vehicles, the low-altitude economy, smart manufacturing, and smart living.

Why does it matter?

The expo reflects China’s effort to position AI as a driver of industrial upgrading, manufacturing competitiveness, and digital economic growth. The focus on sector-specific datasets is particularly important because data infrastructure is becoming a core part of AI industrial policy. The international cooperation messaging also shows how China is using AI events to strengthen technology partnerships and capacity-building ties, especially with countries interested in smart cities, fintech, healthcare technology, and digital infrastructure.

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UK and France launch AI partnership to transform health research

The United Kingdom and France have launched a science and technology partnership focused on applying AI, advanced imaging, and data science to major healthcare challenges, including women’s health, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance.

The UK-France Strategic Biomedical Alliance in Health and AI will bring together institutions including the University of Oxford, Université Paris Cité, Institut Pasteur, Diamond Light Source, and Synchrotron SOLEIL. The partnership aims to make it easier for British and French institutions to cooperate on biomedical research, share expertise, and develop joint projects and funding bids.

The initiative will support research into conditions such as endometriosis and childbirth-related complications, while also improving the detection and treatment of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, malaria, emerging viruses, and drug-resistant bacteria. Researchers will use AI, data science, and advanced imaging technologies to support earlier diagnoses, more personalised care, and improved preparedness for future health threats.

Alongside the biomedical partnership, the UK and France are strengthening cooperation in high-performance computing. Nearly £900,000 in UK government funding has been committed to a partnership between the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing, which hosts Isambard-AI, and France’s national high-performance computing body GENCI.

The collaboration is expected to give researchers at both centres access to advanced computing resources and support AI research and scientific discovery across multiple fields.

The UK will also contribute £300,000, matched by €330,000 from the French government, to support early-career researchers living and working in both countries. The mobility funding is intended to strengthen research collaboration, including on Horizon Europe projects.

Imperial College London and the French National Centre for Scientific Research will also sign a separate agreement to collaborate on metabolism research, covering health challenges including heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Why does it matter?

The partnership shows how AI cooperation is increasingly being embedded in biomedical research, advanced imaging, and high-performance computing infrastructure. By linking health research with supercomputing capacity and researcher mobility, the UK and France are treating AI as part of a broader science diplomacy and innovation agenda, rather than only as a standalone technology policy issue.

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