As millions of high school students across China began the rigorous ‘gaokao’ college entrance exam, the country’s leading tech companies took unprecedented action by disabling AI features on their popular platforms.
Apps from Tencent, ByteDance, and Moonshot AI temporarily blocked functionalities like photo recognition and real-time question answering. This move aimed to prevent students from using AI chatbots to cheat during the critical national examination, which largely dictates university admissions in China.
This year, approximately 13.4 million students are participating in the ‘gaokao,’ a multi-day test that serves as a pivotal determinant for social mobility, particularly for those from rural or lower-income backgrounds.
The immense pressure associated with the exam has historically fueled intense test preparation. However, screenshots circulating on Chinese social media app Rednote confirmed that AI chatbots like Tencent’s YuanBao, ByteDance’s Doubao, and Moonshot AI’s Kimi displayed messages indicating the temporary closure of exam-relevant features to ensure fairness.
China’s ‘gaokao’ exam highlights a balanced approach to AI: promoting its education from a young age, with compulsory instruction in Beijing schools this autumn, while firmly asserting it’s for learning, not cheating. Regulators draw a clear line, reinforcing that AI aids development, but never compromises academic integrity.
This coordinated action by major tech firms reinforces the message that AI has no place in the examination hall, despite China’s broader push to cultivate an AI-literate generation.
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China has proposed creating a ‘green channel’ for rare earth exports to the EU, aiming to ease the impact of its recent restrictions. These materials, vital to electric vehicles and household appliances, have been under stricter export controls since April.
During recent talks, Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič warned Chinese officials that the curbs had caused major disruptions across Europe, describing the situation as alarming. While some progress in licence approvals has been noted, businesses argue it remains inadequate.
The talks come as both sides prepare for a high-stakes EU-China summit and continue negotiations over tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
Brussels has imposed duties of up to 35.3%, citing unfair subsidies, while Beijing is pushing for a deal involving minimum pricing to avoid the tariffs.
China’s commerce ministry confirmed the discussions are in their final stage but acknowledged that more work is needed to reach a resolution.
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Plans for a vast AI data hub in the UAE have raised security concerns in Washington due to the country’s close ties with China.
The $100 billion Stargate UAE campus, aims to deploy advanced US chips, but US officials are scrutinising potential technology leakage risks.
Although the Trump administration supports the project, bipartisan fears remain about whether the UAE can safeguard US-developed AI and chips from foreign adversaries.
A final agreement has not been reached as both sides negotiate export conditions, with possible restrictions on Nvidia’s hardware.
The initial phase of the Stargate project will activate 200 megawatts of capacity by 2026, but the deal’s future may depend on the UAE’s willingness to accept strict US oversight.
Talks over potential amendments continue, delaying approval of what could become a $500 billion venture.
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Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have unveiled a pioneering AI model called MOME for non-invasive breast cancer diagnosis.
Using China’s largest multiparametric MRI breast cancer dataset, MOME performs at a level comparable to seasoned radiologists and is currently undergoing clinical trials in more than ten hospitals.
Among the institutions participating in the validation phase are Shenzhen People’s Hospital, Guangzhou First Municipal People’s Hospital, and Yunnan Cancer Center. Early results show that MOME excels in predicting response to pre-surgical chemotherapy.
The development highlights the region’s growing capabilities in medtech innovation and could reshape diagnostic strategies for breast cancer across Asia. MOME’s clinical success may also pave the way for similar AI-led models in oncology.
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The FBI has issued a warning about the resurgence of BADBOX 2.0, a dangerous form of malware infecting millions of consumer electronics globally.
Often preloaded onto low-cost smart TVs, streaming boxes, and IoT devices, primarily from China, the malware grants cyber criminals backdoor access, enabling theft, surveillance, and fraud while remaining essentially undetectable.
BADBOX 2.0 forms part of a massive botnet and can also infect devices through malicious apps and drive-by downloads, especially from unofficial Android stores.
Once activated, the malware enables a range of attacks, including click fraud, fake account creation, DDoS attacks, and the theft of one-time passwords and personal data.
Removing the malware is extremely difficult, as it typically requires flashing new firmware, an option unavailable for most of the affected devices.
Users are urged to check their hardware against a published list of compromised models and to avoid sideloading apps or purchasing unverified connected tech.
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Amid heightened cybersecurity tensions in East Asia, exemplified by China’s recent accusations against Taiwan for alleged cyberattacks and bounty offers targeting Taiwanese hackers, Japan is taking proactive steps to strengthen its cyberdefence capabilities. In May, the Japanese parliament approved a cyberdefence law, empowering authorities to monitor international communications through domestic infrastructure and neutralise overseas servers preemptively if they’re suspected of initiating cyberattacks. To complement these legislative measures, Japan is also formulating a comprehensive new cybersecurity strategy by the end of 2025, which will prioritise advanced encryption, proactive threat detection, and enhanced resilience of critical national infrastructure.
Cryptocurrencies continue to reshape Europe’s financial landscape, prompting varying responses from institutions across the continent. While the EU is actively advancing its ambitions for a digital euro, viewing it as a strategic tool to enhance the eurozone’s global currency influence and financial sovereignty, the Bank of Italy has expressed scepticism about current regulatory efforts. Specifically, Italy’s central bank criticised the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, pointing out its limited impact on boosting crypto adoption or effectively addressing consumer protection and market stability concerns.
The EU continues its legal battle with tech companies that do not comply with its digital market policies. Namely, the European Commission has imposed a €329 million fine on Berlin-based Delivery Hero and its Spanish subsidiary, Glovo, for participating in what it described as ‘a cartel’ in the online food delivery market.
A content policy correction initiative from France: TikTok has globally banned the hashtag ‘SkinnyTok’ after pressure from the French government, which accused the platform of promoting harmful eating habits among young users.
EU’s International Digital Strategy
On 5 June 2025, the European Commission and the High Representative unveiled a new International Digital Strategy for the EU, aiming to enhance the EU’s global tech competitiveness and security amid a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The strategy emphasises deepening existing Digital Partnerships and Dialogues, establishing new ones, and creating a Digital Partnership Network to foster collaboration on emerging technologies like AI, 5G/6G, semiconductors, and quantum computing, while promoting secure connectivity through initiatives like the Global Gateway. It also introduces an EU Tech Business Offer, a modular approach to combine technology solutions with capacity-building, supporting trusted partners in building secure digital infrastructure, such as submarine cables and AI Factories.
Prioritising cybersecurity, the EU plans to strengthen defences against cyber threats and Foreign Information Manipulation (FIMI) by enhancing resilience and promoting algorithmic transparency on online platforms. The strategy reaffirms the EU’s commitment to shaping global digital governance by advocating for human-centric standards in forums like the UN and G7, ensuring the digital transformation aligns with democratic values and fundamental rights.
Last week in Geneva
In Geneva, the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), convened by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is currently taking place from 2 to 13 June 2025 at the Palais des Nations and ILO headquarters, where delegates are deliberating on pressing global labour issues.
On 5 June, the Giga Research Lab, in collaboration with Giga and the Geneva Innovation Movement, hosted a high-level event titled Bridging the Digital Divide: Cross-Sector Insights for Scaling School Connectivity. Held on Giga premises, the event welcomed invited guests for an exchange of ideas on expanding digital access in education.
On the same day, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) held a webinar to launch the fourth edition of the landmark report, Greening Digital Companies: Monitoring Emissions and Climate Commitments 2025.
For the main updates, reflections and events, consult the RADAR, the READING CORNER and the UPCOMING EVENTS section below.
As the global race for digital dominance accelerates, the European Union is stepping forward with a bold strategy that blends technological ambition with a commitment to democratic values and international…
The open-architecture Tuna-5 showcases how academic labs and startups can build a functional quantum machine with interoperable components from the local supply chain.
Vodafone is facing one of the largest privacy-related fines in Germany’s telecom sector, revealing deep concerns over how personal data is handled behind the scenes.
The consultation, organised by the the President of the General Assembly, aims to gather input from all relevant WSIS stakeholders on the preparatory process for the review of the implementation…
The session aims to foster open dialogue, encourage active stakeholder engagement, and support continued progress toward the WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025
Digital Democracy for All (D4ALL): Capacity Building Programme for Armenia The Digital Democracy for All (DD4ALL) project is a collaborative initiative
Diplo/GIP at IGF 2025 The 20th annual meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be hosted by the Government of Norway, in Lillestrøm, from 23 to 27 June.
Authorities in Guangzhou have placed a secret bounty on more than 20 individuals suspected of launching cyber attacks on Chinese targets, according to state news agency Xinhua.
One named suspect, Ning Enwei, is reportedly linked to Taiwan’s government. While the size of the reward remains undisclosed, officials claim the accused hackers targeted sectors including defence, aerospace, energy, and science—alongside agencies in Hong Kong and Macau.
Xinhua stated that Taiwan’s ‘information, communication and digital army’ has coordinated with US forces to carry out cyber and cognitive warfare against China.
These accusations form part of a broader Chinese narrative suggesting Taiwan is seeking independence through foreign alliances, particularly with US intelligence agencies. State media also claimed the US has trained Taiwanese personnel and helped orchestrate cyber attacks on the mainland.
In response, a senior Taiwanese security official, speaking anonymously, dismissed the claims as fabricated. The official argued that Beijing is attempting to deflect criticism following allegations of Chinese cyber activities in Europe, especially in the Czech Republic.
‘It is typical of the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to change the narrative,’ the official said, branding Beijing an international cyber threat instead of a victim.
Taiwan’s government has yet to issue an official statement.
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China’s second AI rice farming competition is underway in Sichuan Province, where human farmers and AI-assisted teams are competing across 66.7 hectares of land. AI teams rely on a network of sensors and satellite data to guide real-time decision-making on planting and pest control
The initiative, running through September, tests whether machine learning can outperform traditional farming practices in yield, efficiency, and quality. Organisers emphasise that the competition is not a battle between humans and machines, but a step toward integrating AI into agriculture.
Last year’s challenge saw mixed results for AI, which outperformed two human teams but lagged behind experienced farmers. While its early-stage data analysis showed promise, gaps in adaptability and environmental perception limited its effectiveness.
Developers at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have since improved the system’s algorithms, aiming to achieve over 80 percent alignment with farmers’ actions in this year’s edition.
As China seeks sustainable solutions for ageing farming populations and fragmented urban land, smart farming systems are emerging as vital tools to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance productivity.
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Chinese scientists have created the world’s first AI-based system capable of identifying real nuclear warheads from decoys, marking a significant step in arms control verification.
The breakthrough, developed by the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE), could strengthen Beijing’s hand in stalled disarmament talks, although it also raises difficult questions about AI’s growing role in managing weapons of mass destruction.
The technology builds on a long-standing US–China proposal but faced key obstacles: how to train AI using sensitive nuclear data, gain military approval without risking secret leaks, and persuade sceptical nations like the US to move past Cold War-era inspection methods.
So far, only the AI training has been completed, with the rest of the process still pending international acceptance.
The AI system uses deep learning and cryptographic protocols to analyse scrambled radiation signals from warheads behind a polythene wall, ensuring the weapons’ internal designs remain hidden.
The machine can verify a warhead’s chain-reaction potential without accessing classified details. According to CIAE, repeated randomised tests reduce the chance of deception to nearly zero.
While both China and the US have pledged not to let AI control nuclear launch decisions, the new system underlines AI’s expanding role in national defence.
Beijing insists the AI can be jointly trained and sealed before use to ensure transparency, but sceptics remain wary of trust, backdoor access and growing militarisation of AI.
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China has proposed the creation of an AI application centre in cooperation with member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The plan was introduced at the 2025 China-SCO AI Cooperation Forum, held in Tianjin, with the goal of deepening collaboration in AI across the region.
The proposed centre aims to support talent development, foster industrial partnerships, and promote open-source service cooperation.
Presented under the theme ‘Intelligence Converges in China, Wisdom Benefits SCO,‘ the forum brought together officials and experts to discuss practical AI cooperation and governance mechanisms that would serve the shared interests of SCO nations.
According to Huang Ru of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, closer cooperation in AI will drive economic and social growth across the SCO, reduce the digital divide, and contribute to inclusive global progress.
China reaffirmed its commitment to the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ and called for joint efforts to ensure AI development remains secure, equitable and beneficial for all member states.
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