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EU fines Google €890 million under Digital Markets Act

The European Commission has fined Alphabet’s Google €890 million for breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA), marking one of the bloc’s most significant enforcement actions under its new competition framework for digital platforms.

The Commission imposed a €460 million fine after finding that Google favoured its own services in search results, including shopping, hotels, transport and sports, contrary to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) requirements for fair treatment of competing services.

A separate €430 million fine addressed restrictions within Google Play that prevented app developers from directing users to potentially cheaper offers available through alternative app stores or external websites.

Google has been given 60 days to comply with the European Commission’s decision by treating competing services more fairly and allowing developers greater freedom to direct users outside Google Play.

The company criticised the ruling and indicated it may challenge the decision before the EU courts, arguing that the required changes could reduce the usefulness of Search features and weaken security protections on Google Play.

The Commission nevertheless noted progress in Google’s broader DMA compliance efforts, including ongoing tests that modify how its shopping, hotel and flight services appear in search results, alongside changes affecting advertising, sports and other content.

The Commission also indicated that the principles established by the decision could extend to Google’s AI-powered services, including AI Overviews and AI Mode, signalling that DMA obligations will apply not only to traditional search results but also to emerging generative AI interfaces.

Why does it matter?

The decision represents one of the clearest demonstrations yet of how the Digital Markets Act is being enforced in practice. Rather than focusing solely on financial penalties, the Commission is requiring structural changes to how large digital platforms present services, interact with business users and compete with rivals.

The reference to AI Overviews and AI Mode also suggests that the DMA will increasingly shape the design of AI-powered search services. As generative AI becomes more deeply integrated into online platforms, regulators appear determined to ensure that new interfaces remain subject to the same competition principles as traditional digital services.

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EU-funded project advances multilingual AI for public-interest media

The EU-funded MOSAIC pilot project has demonstrated how AI can help make public-interest media accessible across languages while allowing broadcasters to retain control over their own content, supporting the EU’s broader vision of a multilingual digital public sphere.

Over 18 months, an 11-partner European consortium developed and tested a federated architecture enabling media organisations to share and enrich content without giving up ownership.

The project delivered AI-powered transcription, translation and subtitling across eight languages, including under-resourced languages such as Catalan, Slovenian and Estonian, alongside multimodal archive search and automated metadata enrichment. Pilots involved public and private broadcasters in six EU member states.

The results support the objectives of the European Democracy Shield and the Apply AI Strategy’s Media Flagship, while informing the next phase of the European TV and Video News Portal, a citizen-facing service intended to improve multilingual access to trusted news and public-interest information.

Building on the pilot, the consortium identified four priorities for future work, such as developing services around the needs of citizens, journalists and broadcasters; embedding editorial standards, transparent provenance and quality safeguards; and connecting future initiatives with complementary projects such as ChatEurope and the European Language Data Space.

Why does it matter?

MOSAIC illustrates how AI can support a more integrated European information space by reducing language barriers without requiring media organisations to centralise or surrender control over their content. The project’s federated approach demonstrates that multilingual access can be expanded while preserving editorial independence, data ownership and institutional autonomy.

The initiative also reflects a broader EU strategy of treating trusted media infrastructure as part of digital public infrastructure. By linking AI-powered language technologies with media pluralism, transparency and shared governance, MOSAIC provides a model for strengthening access to reliable information while supporting Europe’s linguistic diversity and democratic resilience.

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EU launches generative AI pilots for public administrations

Three new pilot projects supporting the adoption of generative AI in European public administrations have officially begun under the Digital Europe Programme, marking another step in the European Commission’s efforts to bring trustworthy AI into everyday government services.

The projects, FLOODS & DROUGHTS, EUNOMIA.AI and EuropAI, will develop and test trustworthy generative AI solutions designed to improve public services while addressing practical challenges faced by public authorities.

Participating public administrations will procure, test and deploy AI solutions tailored to their operational needs through direct procurement. The pilots are expected to support decision-making, administrative efficiency, accessibility and simpler public services while ensuring compliance with legal, operational and societal requirements.

The initiative contributes to the European Commission’s Apply AI Strategy, which seeks to accelerate responsible AI adoption across strategic sectors, including public administration. By bringing together governments, research organisations and technology providers, the projects aim to develop interoperable AI solutions whose methodologies and implementation models can be replicated across the EU.

The Commission said participating administrations will play a central role in shaping these systems through procurement, testing and deployment, supporting wider adoption across Member States.

Why does it matter?

The pilots illustrate how the EU is moving from developing AI rules to creating practical mechanisms for deploying trustworthy AI in the public sector. Rather than limiting its role to regulation, the European Commission is increasingly using public procurement to encourage the development of AI systems that meet European standards for transparency, interoperability and legal compliance.

If successful, the projects could provide reusable models for public administrations across the EU, reducing duplication while accelerating digital transformation. They also demonstrate how governments can influence the AI market by acting not only as regulators but also as major customers for trustworthy AI solutions.

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EU releases multilingual AI model for all 24 official languages

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Translation (DGT) has released an open large language model designed to provide balanced performance across all 24 official EU languages. Named the EU-Institutional-LLM, it is available in both base and instruct versions through the European Language Data Space.

Unlike many large language models that perform best in only a handful of languages, the EU-Institutional-LLM was designed to provide balanced support across all official EU languages while understanding the legislation, terminology and policy context specific to the Union. The model is trained using DGT’s high-quality multilingual datasets.

The base model is a continually pretrained version of Mixtral-8x7B-v0.1 with around 47 billion parameters and a Mixture-of-Experts architecture. It was trained to improve multilingual performance while limiting catastrophic forgetting through replay data. The instruct version was then created through supervised fine-tuning followed by preference alignment using odds ratio preference optimisation.

Training relied on European supercomputing infrastructure, including the Leonardo Booster system through the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), together with the MeluXina and MareNostrum supercomputers in Luxembourg, Italy and Spain.

Why does it matter?

The release addresses a longstanding challenge in multilingual AI. Most frontier language models are optimised for a relatively small number of widely spoken languages, creating uneven performance across multilingual societies. By designing a model specifically for all 24 official EU languages and embedding knowledge of EU legislation and institutions, the Commission is seeking to make AI more accessible and useful throughout the Union’s public sector.

The project also illustrates Europe’s broader strategy of building digital sovereignty through open AI infrastructure. Rather than relying exclusively on proprietary foreign models, the EU is investing in publicly available models, European datasets and domestic supercomputing resources that can support research, translation, public administration and future AI applications aligned with European values and regulatory frameworks.

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EU advances digital electricity strategy through Electrification Action Plan

The European Commission has adopted the Electrification Action Plan and proposed changes to the EU electricity market rules aimed at accelerating the digitalisation of Europe’s electricity system and preparing it to support growing AI infrastructure.

The measures are intended to reduce energy system costs, improve grid efficiency and accelerate the deployment of smart technologies while supporting a cleaner, more affordable and resilient electricity market.

A central element of the proposal is the accelerated rollout of smart meters, with a target of covering at least 50% of final electricity customers by 2030 and 75% by 2033. The devices will provide near real-time consumption data, enabling consumers to shift electricity use to cheaper and cleaner periods while helping network operators manage congestion and integrate renewable energy more efficiently.

The proposal also seeks to improve the secure exchange of electricity grid data between transmission and distribution system operators. Better access to harmonised, high-quality data is expected to strengthen grid planning, support renewable energy integration, encourage demand-side flexibility and enable new digital services.

The Commission also proposes a voluntary European framework for the secure reuse of grid data to support research and AI-powered energy management.

The initiative complements the EU’s broader Digital Union agenda, including the Data Act, the AI Act, the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act and the AI Continent Action Plan.

According to the Commission, smarter electricity networks will provide the infrastructure needed to support AI factories, AI gigafactories and sustainable data centres while strengthening Europe’s energy security, competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

Why does it matter?

The proposal reflects a growing recognition that electricity infrastructure and digital infrastructure are becoming increasingly interconnected. AI systems, cloud computing and data centres require abundant, reliable and flexible electricity supplies, making modernised energy networks a prerequisite for Europe’s digital competitiveness.

By linking smart grids, secure data sharing, AI-enabled energy management and electricity market reform, the Commission is also broadening the concept of digital governance. Rather than treating energy and digital policy separately, the EU is increasingly developing them as mutually reinforcing pillars of its industrial, climate and technological strategy.

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European Commission publishes AI Act guidance on transparency labels

The European Commission has published guidance explaining how providers and deployers should comply with new AI transparency requirements under the EU AI Act, ahead of obligations taking effect on 2 August 2026.

The rules are intended to help people recognise when they are interacting with an AI system or viewing content generated or manipulated by AI. According to the European Commission, greater transparency should reduce the risks of deception and manipulation.

Providers must ensure that interactive AI systems, including chatbots, inform users that they are communicating with AI. They must also attach machine-readable markings to synthetic or AI-manipulated content so it can be detected.

Deployers face separate obligations. They must disclose the use of deepfakes, emotion-recognition systems and biometric categorisation tools, and identify AI-generated content on matters of public interest when it is published without human review or editorial oversight.

The guidance also clarifies key concepts, including interactive AI systems, synthetic content, deepfakes and AI-generated public-interest text. It further explains exemptions for routine editing tools such as spelling and grammar correction.

Organisations can demonstrate compliance by following the voluntary Code of Practice on Transparency of AI-generated Content, which has been recognised by the Commission and the European AI Board as a practical means of meeting the AI Act’s requirements.

Most transparency obligations and enforcement powers will apply from 2 August, while AI systems already on the market must meet marking and detection requirements by 2 December 2026.

The Commission is also providing an AI Act Service Desk and additional guidance to help organisations understand and implement the new requirements.

Why does it matter?

The guidance marks the beginning of one of the AI Act’s first operational transparency obligations. By requiring AI-generated and manipulated content to be identified, the EU aims to reduce the risks posed by deepfakes, synthetic media and undisclosed AI interactions while helping users make more informed decisions about the content they encounter.

The guidance also provides organisations with greater legal certainty ahead of enforcement. Clear definitions, recognised compliance mechanisms and practical implementation support should make it easier for providers and deployers to meet the AI Act’s transparency requirements consistently across the EU.

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European Commission fines AliExpress €550 million for DSA breaches

The European Commission has fined AliExpress €550 million for breaching the Digital Services Act (DSA), concluding that the platform failed to adequately assess and mitigate the systemic risks associated with illegal, unsafe and counterfeit products sold through its marketplace.

The Commission found that AliExpress underestimated the risks posed by its services and failed to implement effective safeguards to protect consumers across the EU.

According to the Commission, AliExpress failed to adequately assess the effectiveness of its content moderation systems or allocate sufficient human resources to review illegal products.

Investigators also found that the platform’s recommender and advertising systems continued promoting illegal products before they were removed, while its risk assessments relied on insufficient quantitative evidence to measure the effectiveness of its mitigation measures.

The investigation also identified significant weaknesses in AliExpress’ risk mitigation measures. Counterfeit goods, unsafe toys and dangerous cosmetics remained available for extended periods, while traders repeatedly bypassed compliance checks through product miscategorisation.

The Commission further concluded that the platform failed to consistently sanction sellers of illegal products and that its brand authorisation system did not effectively prevent counterfeit listings.

AliExpress must submit an action plan by 20 October 2026 explaining how it will comply with the DSA.

The European Board for Digital Services will review the proposal before the Commission adopts a final implementation decision. Continued non-compliance could result in periodic penalty payments as the Commission monitors implementation.

Why does it matter?

The decision is one of the most significant enforcement actions taken under the Digital Services Act to date and demonstrates the European Commission’s willingness to impose substantial financial penalties on platforms that fail to manage systemic risks. It reinforces the DSA’s preventive approach, which requires very large online platforms to identify, assess and mitigate risks before harm occurs rather than relying solely on the removal of illegal content after the fact.

The case also signals that the Commission expects platforms to back their risk assessments with robust evidence, effective moderation systems and adequate human oversight. Future DSA enforcement is therefore likely to focus not only on the presence of illegal content but also on whether companies can demonstrate that their governance and risk management processes are working effectively.

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EU adopts AI governance principles for health technology assessments

The EU’s Health Technology Assessment Coordination Group has adopted principles governing the use of AI in health technology assessments, requiring transparency, human oversight and accountability when AI assists in preparing evidence dossiers.

The guidance apply to dossiers submitted by health technology developers for Joint Clinical Assessments under the EU Health Technology Assessment Regulation. AI may be used to identify studies, extract data, assess the risk of bias, analyse evidence and prepare reports.

The group recognises that AI could improve the efficiency of evidence preparation but warns that inadequate oversight may compromise completeness, methodological quality and scientific rigour.

Health technology developers will remain fully responsible for the content, methods and conclusions of submitted dossiers, including decisions on whether AI is used, how it contributes to evidence synthesis and whether its outputs are scientifically valid.

Human oversight must be maintained throughout every AI-assisted stage, and no part of the assessment process should be fully automated without a clearly accountable individual.

Any AI-assisted step must be disclosed in the dossier, including information retrieval, study screening, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment, evidence analysis and report preparation. Developers must also identify the AI tools used, including their name, version, developer and intended purpose.

Where commercial tools have been adapted, those modifications should be described, while prompts must be retained and made available during assessments on request.

The principles also require AI use to comply with applicable copyright, data protection and EU AI Act requirements, particularly given that submitted dossiers may later be published.

Why does it matter?

AI could accelerate the preparation and review of clinical evidence, but undisclosed automation or inaccurate outputs could influence decisions on which medicines and health technologies reach patients. By requiring human accountability, methodological transparency and disclosure of AI tools and prompts, the EU is seeking to preserve the scientific integrity of health technology assessments.

The principles also represent an early example of sector-specific AI governance under the EU’s broader regulatory framework. Rather than restricting AI use, they establish conditions for trustworthy deployment, illustrating how transparency and human oversight are becoming central requirements for AI-assisted decision-making in highly regulated fields.

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Greece adopts national framework to implement EU AI Act

The Greek Parliament has approved the national implementing framework for the EU AI Act, making Greece one of the first member states to establish a comprehensive national system for enforcing the regulation.

The new law in Greece establishes the institutional framework for supervising AI systems, coordinating enforcement, supporting innovation and ensuring compliance with the EU AI Act.

The legislation designates the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (HDPA) as the central market surveillance authority and the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) as the notifying authority, while establishing a dedicated AI Coordination and Expertise Centre.

It also introduces complaint procedures, administrative sanctions, a national registry of AI systems used by public authorities, regulatory sandboxes for AI testing and criminal penalties for removing transparency labels from deepfake content.

Alongside the implementing framework, the government presented its broader national AI strategy, highlighting investments in infrastructure, data governance and research. These include the Daedalus supercomputer, the Pharos AI Factory, new high-performance computing infrastructure in Kozani, the data.gov.gr platform and partnerships with companies such as Mistral and ElevenLabs, which the government said will strengthen Greece’s AI capabilities and technological sovereignty.

The government said these initiatives form part of a coordinated strategy to strengthen Greece’s AI capabilities and technological sovereignty.

The minister also highlighted current and planned AI applications across the public sector, including tools to accelerate legal reviews at the Hellenic Cadastre and improve public access to parliamentary work through AI services for the Hellenic Parliament.

Additional provisions include the creation of a digital registry for accessibility infrastructure, which will integrate with the MyStreet application to improve mobility for people with disabilities.

Why does it matter?

The legislation gives Greece the institutional architecture needed to implement the EU AI Act while combining regulatory oversight with investment in AI infrastructure and innovation. By establishing supervisory authorities, regulatory sandboxes and governance mechanisms alongside major computing and data initiatives, Greece is seeking to align AI regulation with industrial and digital development.

The framework also illustrates how implementation of the AI Act is becoming a national governance exercise rather than simply a compliance task. As member states designate authorities and build supporting institutions, national implementation strategies are likely to shape how consistently the Act is applied across the EU.

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EU and India strengthen technology partnership through TTC

The European Union and India have strengthened their strategic partnership at the third meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Brussels, agreeing to deepen cooperation on advanced technologies, trade and resilient supply chains.

Both sides reaffirmed the TTC as their main platform for cooperation on technology, economic security and innovation, while agreeing to upgrade the framework by the end of 2026 under the Joint EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda.

The meeting produced several concrete initiatives.

The EU and India agreed to begin formal negotiations on India’s association with Horizon Europe, establish the first EU-India Innovation Hub focused on electric vehicle charging technologies, and launch a startup partnership supporting deep tech and clean technology companies. They also expanded cooperation on semiconductors, AI, quantum technologies, high-performance computing, 6G and resilient supply chains covering clean energy technologies, pharmaceuticals and agri-food.

On digital technologies, the partners agreed to strengthen cooperation on AI innovation, including healthcare applications, and collaborate on high-performance computing for climate research, natural hazards and bioinformatics. They also committed to advancing interoperability between digital trust services, including digital wallets, building on their earlier agreement on electronic signatures and seals.

The meeting also reaffirmed the strategic importance of the broader EU-India relationship, including ongoing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement, investment protection and geographical indications.

Ministers instructed TTC working groups to prioritise implementation ahead of the next ministerial meeting.

Why does it matter?

The EU and India are increasingly treating technology as a strategic pillar of their relationship alongside trade and investment. Expanding cooperation on AI, semiconductors, research and digital infrastructure reflects shared interests in strengthening technological competitiveness and reducing vulnerabilities in critical supply chains.

The agreement also illustrates how trade partnerships are evolving into broader technology partnerships. By linking research, innovation, standards and digital trust, the TTC provides a framework that could deepen long-term cooperation while supporting both sides’ economic security and strategic autonomy.

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