OpenAI

OpenAI launches Instant Checkout to enable in-chat purchases

OpenAI has launched Instant Checkout, a feature that lets users make direct purchases within ChatGPT. The initial rollout applies to US Etsy sellers, with Shopify merchants to follow.

The system is powered by the Agentic Commerce Protocol, which OpenAI co-developed with Stripe, and currently supports single-item purchases. Future updates will add multi-item carts and expand to more regions.

According to OpenAI, product results in ChatGPT are organic and ranked for relevance. The e-commerce framework will be open-sourced to accelerate integrations for merchants and developers. Users can pay using cards already on file, and transactions involve explicit confirmation steps, scoped payment tokens, and limited data sharing to build trust.

Michelle Fradin, OpenAI’s product lead for ChatGPT commerce, said the goal is to move beyond information retrieval and support real-world actions. Stripe’s president for technology and business, Will Gaybrick, described the partnership as laying economic infrastructure for AI.

Merchants will pay a small fee on completed purchases, while users are not charged extra and product prices remain unchanged.

Reuters reported that Etsy and Shopify’s stocks rose significantly following the announcement, with Etsy closing up nearly 16 percent and Shopify more than 6 percent. The company plans to extend the system to more merchants and payment types over time.

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OpenAI reports $4.3 billion revenue in first half of 2025

OpenAI posted approximately $4.3 billion in revenue in the first half of 2025, according to a report by The Information cited in Cyprus Mail. That figure is roughly 16 percent higher than what the company is said to have earned in 2024.

During the same period, OpenAI reportedly burned around $2.5 billion due to heavy research, development investments, and operational costs tied to ChatGPT. Total R&D spending for H1 2025 is reported to have reached $6.7 billion, and the company held about $17.5 billion in cash and securities at period’s close.

OpenAI is targeting full-year revenue of $13 billion and aims to cap annual cash burn at $8.5 billion. Meanwhile, in August, the company was reportedly in early discussions about a potential stock sale to allow employee access to liquidity and possibly reach a valuation near $500 billion.

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Digital on Day 6 of UNGA80: Global AI governance, technology equity, and closing the digital divide

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Welcome to the fifth daily report from the General Debate at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA80). Our daily hybrid AI–human reports bring you a concise overview of how world leaders are framing the digital future.

Day 6 discussion centred on the transformative potential and urgent risks of AI, emphasising that while AI can boost development, health, education, and productivity—especially in least developed countries—it must be governed responsibly to prevent inequality, bias, and insecurity. Calls for a global AI framework were echoed in various statements, alongside broader appeals for inclusive digital cooperation, accelerated technology transfer, and investment in infrastructure, literacy, and talent development. Speakers warned that digital disruption is deepening geopolitical divides, with smaller and developing nations demanding a voice in shaping emerging governance regimes. Bridging the digital divide, advancing secure and rights-based technologies, and protecting against cybercrime were framed as essential

To keep the highlights clear and accessible, we leave them in bullet points — capturing the key themes and voices as they emerge.

Artificial intelligence

  • Responsible AI governance
  • AI presents both unprecedented opportunities and profound challenges, and if harnessed responsibly, it can accelerate development, improve health and education, and unlock economic growth. Without clear governance, AI risks deepening inequalities and undermining security. A global framework is called for to ensure AI is ethical, inclusive, and accessible to all nations, enabling it to serve as a force for development rather than division. (Malawi)
  • AI is a tool that must be harnessed for all humankind, equally in a controlled manner, as opportunities are vast, including for farmers, city planning, and disaster risk management. (President of the General Assembly)
  • The risks of AI are becoming more prevalent, and age-old biases are being perpetuated by algorithms, as seen in the targeting of women and girls by sexually related deepfakes. (President of the General Assembly)
  • Discussions on AI lend further prudence to the argument that ‘we are better together,’ and few would be comfortable leaving the benefits or risks of this immense resource in the hands of a few. (President of the General Assembly)
    International cooperation remains essential to establishing comprehensive regulations governing the use and development of AI. (Timor-Leste)

AI for development and growth

  • The transformative potential of science, technology, and AI, should be harnessed for national and global development. Malawi is optimistic that AI will usher in a new era of enhanced productivity for its citizens, helping to propel the country’s development trajectory. (Malawi)
  • Advancing AI and digital capabilities in LDCs is imperative, requiring investment in digital infrastructure and enhancing digital literacy, implementing e-government initiatives, promoting AI research and innovation, cultivating talent and establishing a policy framework. (Timor-Leste)
  • Making AI a technology that benefits all is an important issue agreed upon in the Global Digital Compact, which also covers peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, and digital cooperation. (Djibouti) 
  • Canada emphasised national strength in AI, clean technologies, critical minerals and digital innovation. (Canada)

Global digital governance

  • Nepal advocates for a global digital cooperation framework that ensures access to infrastructures, digital literacy, and data protection for all. (Nepal)
  • Digital transformation and digital and technological disruption are converging with other crises, such as climate catastrophe and widening inequality. (Malawi, Nepal, Holy See) Digital transformation demands renewed collective action. A renewed collective resolve to fortify the founding values of the UN, and a revitalised, transformed UN are needed. (Malawi, Nepal, Holy See)

Digital technologies and development

Addressing the digital divide and inequality

  • Rapid technological, geopolitical, and environmental shifts are ushering in a new, multipolar global order that offers both opportunities and risks, and insisted that smaller states must not be sidelined but fully heard in shaping it. (Benin)
  • The development gap has expanded between the North and the South despite technological revolutions. (Algeria)
  • Digital transformations deserve urgent global attention, and technology must be inclusive, secure, and rights-based. (Nepal)
  • It is crucial to narrow the digital divide within and among countries to create a peaceful and equitable society. (Nepal)
  • Policies and programmes for technologies and progress should be within the reach of everyone for the good of everyone. (Nicaragua)

Technology transfer 

  • The gap between rich and poor nations continues to widen, and developing countries struggle with limited technology transfer and low productivity. (Malawi)
  • The full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement should include ensuring equitable access to sustainable technologies. (Malawi)
  • The international community is called upon to foster an environment that supports inclusive growth and harnesses the transformative potential of science and technology, and AI. (Malawi)
  • A comprehensive and inclusive approach is needed to address the pressing challenges in the Mediterranean, making economic development on the Southern Front a shared priority through investment and technology transfer. (Algeria)
  • Technology transfer must be accelerated and scaled up, with calls for scaled-up, predictable and accessible technology transfer and capacity building for countries on the front line, particularly LDCs. (Nepal)

Cybersecurity

  • Safeguarding cybersecurity is imperative alongside the advancement of AI and digital capabilities in LDCs. (Timor-Leste)
  • Russia has sought to undermine Moldova’s sovereignty through illicit financing, disinformation, cyberattacks, and voter intimidation. (Moldova)

For other topics discussed, head over to our dedicated UNGA80 page, where you can explore more insights from the General Debate.

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The 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80)

The General Debate at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly brings together high-level representatives from across the globe to discuss the most pressing issues of our time. The session took place against the backdrop of the UN’s 80th anniversary, serving as a moment for both reflection and a forward-looking assessment of the organisation’s role and relevance.

California enacts first state-level AI safety law

In the US, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed SB 53, a landmark law establishing transparency and safety requirements for large AI companies.

The legislation obliges major AI developers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google DeepMind to disclose their safety protocols. It also introduces whistle-blower protections and a reporting mechanism for safety incidents, including cyberattacks and autonomous AI behaviour not covered by the EU AI Act.

Reactions across the industry have been mixed. Anthropic supported the law, while Meta and OpenAI lobbied against it, with OpenAI publishing an open letter urging Newsom not to sign. Tech firms have warned that state-level measures could create a patchwork of regulation that stifles innovation.

Despite resistance, the law positions California as a national leader in AI governance. Newsom said the state had demonstrated that it was possible to safeguard communities without stifling growth, calling AI ‘the new frontier in innovation’.

Similar legislation is under consideration in New York, while California lawmakers are also debating SB 243, a separate bill that would regulate AI companion chatbots.

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ChatGPT gets family safety update with parental controls

OpenAI has introduced new parental controls for ChatGPT, giving families greater oversight of how teens use the AI platform. The tools, which are live for all users, allow parents to link accounts with their children and manage settings through a simple control dashboard.

The system introduces stronger safeguards for teen accounts, including filters on graphic or harmful content and restrictions on roleplay involving sex, violence or extreme beauty ideals.

Parents can also fine-tune features such as voice mode, memory, image generation, or set quiet hours when ChatGPT cannot be accessed.

A notification mechanism has been added to alert parents if a teen shows signs of acute distress, escalating to emergency services in critical cases. OpenAI said the controls were shaped by consultation with experts, advocacy groups, and policymakers and will be expanded as research evolves.

To complement the parental controls, a new online resource hub has been launched to help families learn how ChatGPT works and explore positive uses in study, creativity and daily life.

OpenAI also plans to roll out an age-prediction system that automatically applies teen-appropriate settings.

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Digital on Day 5 of UNGA80: AI governance, inclusion, and tech for development

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Welcome to the fifth daily report from the General Debate at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA80). Our daily hybrid AI–human reports bring you a concise overview of how world leaders are framing the digital future.

Day 5 discussions revolved around harnessing AI and digital technologies for development, security, and inclusive growth. Delegates emphasised responsible AI governance, ethical frameworks, and international norms to manage risks, including in military applications. The need for equitable access to AI, digital literacy, and capacity building for developing countries was highlighted to bridge technological and social divides. Participants also addressed cybersecurity, disinformation, and the influence of global tech corporations, emphasising the importance of multilateral cooperation and human-centric approaches. Discussions underscored that leveraging AI and digital innovation responsibly can drive sustainable development, economic autonomy, and long-term prosperity for all.

To keep the highlights clear and accessible, we leave them in bullet points — capturing the key themes and voices as they emerge.

Artificial intelligence

Responsible AI governance

  • AI‘s transformative force can aid conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and humanitarian actions, but early, constructive, and inclusive multilateral engagement is essential. However, AI requires guardrails so that it can be harnessed responsibly. (Singapore)
  • Common norms need to be established at the UN as soon as possible to unlock the transformative potential of new technologies, especially AI, for the benefit of all, while mitigating the risks. (Cuba)
  • Military uses of AI and autonomous weapons in the military domain are dangerous and require international laws regulating them. (Saudi Arabia)
  • Meaningful human control must be retained over life-or-death decisions made by AI in conflict, guided by international law and ethical principles, as the rapid advance of AI has led to concerning levels of autonomy in conflict. (San Marino)
  • The establishment of an Independent International Science Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance are fundamental to promoting scientific understanding of AI and ensuring inclusive multistakeholder discussions, which will contribute to building UN membership capacity, fostering shared knowledge, common understanding, and pooled experience, equally benefiting stakeholders from developing countries. (San Marino)

AI for development and growth

  • The UN needs to be future-ready and harness the potential of emerging technologies like AI as a force for good for all. (Singapore)
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) offers promise but carries profound risks, and safeguards against misuse must be established to build digital societies that bridge development divides rather than widen them. (Philippines)
  • Efforts should be enhanced for developing countries to have access to AI and digital technologies. (Egypt)
  • UAE has sought to harness science, technology, and AI to advance sustainable development around the world. (UAE)
  • AI, as a horizontal and cross-cutting technology, has a particular promise for development. The approach to AI is to harness it responsibly for human welfare, with inclusion and impact as the watchwords for the summit India will host in 2026. (India)
  • AI applications, digital transformation, and innovation are highly important. (Oman)
  • The paradox of today’s world is that unprecedented technological advancement exists alongside deep inequality. Some children walk miles to fetch water from school, and some children are using AI in their lessons. To turn innovation into inclusion, education is needed. (Grenada)
  • AI and AI-related skills are being considered for teaching, understanding, and use to enhance education access, delivery, and outcome, as the jobs of tomorrow cannot be met with the skills of yesterday. (Grenada)

Digital technologies for development

Digital inclusion and access

  • Technological progress fosters growth and interaction. (Belarus) Technology is a defining force of our age, a connector, an enabler, an equaliser. (Philippines)
  • While interdependence has deepened thanks to technology, new divisions and fault lines have emerged, undermining many of the positive gains. (Belarus)
  • The world is rapidly advancing toward the Fourth Industrial Revolution and AI, but a widening gap remains between this realm and the one hostage to poverty and marginalisation. United efforts are needed to devise solutions that are capable of narrowing this gap by achieving just and comprehensive human-centred development (Mauritania)
  • The Global Digital Compact is an important tool that underscores the collective commitment to bridging the digital divide and promoting digital inclusion, creating a more equitable future and ensuring that digital technology is used for the benefit of all humanity. (San Marino)
  • Digital access and inclusive governance are important for enhancing mutual trust and shared benefits, supporting the implementation of the Global Digital Compact. (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
  • Investing in human capital, advancing green and digital transitions, and reinforcing institutional resilience are key pillars for long-term prosperity. (Romania) 
  • The digital transition is one of the strategic pillars for the national long-term development programme. (Guinea)
  • Digital transformation and AI applications are a priority, alongside innovation and industrial development. (Oman)
  • The digital and scientific, and technological innovation potential is an untapped resource that can serve as a powerful catalyst for accelerating progress toward attaining the SDGs. (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
  • Digital transformation and the application of modern technology are important to enhance efficiency and strengthen adaptability in ASEAN. (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
  • Digital skills, coding, and technology clubs are now part of the school environment, and primary school students are assessed through electronic testing, prioritising both digital literacy and problem-solving skills. (Grenada)
  • Investment is being made in digital skills for the new economy. (Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis)
  • Digital public infrastructure has redefined governance and enabled the delivery of public services on an unprecedented scale. (India) The Maldives also noted they are digitalising services.
  • Results of self-reliance, developing national capabilities and nurturing talent can be seen in digital applications. (India)
  • The country’s technicians promote digitisation, and training facilities are open to the world. (India)

Technology transfer and capacity building

  • Access to new technology, innovation, and financial resources remains essential for countries in special situations and the most vulnerable groups. (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
  • Adequate financial support, technology transfer, and capacity building are crucial for the effective implementation of national climate commitments. (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
  • Technology transfer must be real, predictable, and accessible to SIDS upon the BBNJ Agreement entering into force, along with benefits sharing. (Maldives)
  • Technology transfer and access to concessionary financing and strengthening North-South partnerships are needed to achieve the right to development. (Tunisia)
  • Technology transfer and capacity building through multilateral processes are key to closing the widening gap between climate ambition and the means of implementation. (Philippines)
  • Global partnerships are needed to expand access to technology and innovation. Small states bring valuable experience in adaptation and resilience. (Grenada)
  • UAE supports building technological capacities of other countries, respecting their national values and priorities and ensuring the responsible and ethical use of these technologies in accordance with international law. (UAE)

Cybersecurity and crime

  • Cyber attacks can cross borders in a second, posing a threat that no single nation can resolve alone. (Bahamas)
  • Online scams are a form of transnational crime being actively combatted, as their impacts ripple far and wide, demanding cooperation without borders. (Thailand)
  • The UN Convention Against Cybercrime is welcomed and will contribute to preventing and combating the misuse of technology and safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms, with the assistance of international and regional instruments for its implementation. The Council of Europe’s Cybercrime Programme Office (Bucharest) and the Southeast European Law Enforcement Centre hosted by Romania, contributed significantly to combating transnational crime. (Romania)
  • Surveillance drones are being detected intruding into territory on a daily basis across the border areas, which constitutes a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Thailand)
  • When powerful actors abandon rules, all nations are at risk; this includes the weaponisation of emerging disruptive technologies. (Iceland)
  • Consensus was achieved on the final report of the Open-ended Working Group on Cybersecurity (OEWG), which strengthened the normative framework for responsible state behaviour in cybersecurity, and it was agreed to establish the Global Mechanism on Cybersecurity as a permanent home for this work at the UN. (Singapore)

Disinformation and human rights online

  • Human rights must be upheld in the digital age and online, especially because that is where most young people are. (Romania, San Marino)
  • The implementation of the Global Digital Compact should ensure a human-centric, human rights-based approach to the digital future, which cannot be left with no rules. (Romania)
  • Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy, innovation, culture, and progress, but twisting free speech into the mass production of lies, propaganda, or AI-driven disinformation is not exercising this freedom. (Iceland)
  • Disinformation and conspiracy theories spread online, corroding trust in facts, institutions, and one another, leading to rising intolerance, especially towards marginalised groups. (Iceland)
  • Digital technology increasingly impacts lives, and a few transnationals impose operating systems and control the content that is seen, read, heard, thus manipulating human behaviour under the ‘dictatorship of the algorithm’. (Cuba)

Digital economy and trade

  • The global order is undergoing fundamental shifts impacting trade, technology, and international cooperation. (San Marino)
  • Global corporations transcend borders, shaping economies, technology, and daily life without sufficient accountability, which demands international responses. (Iceland)
  • The negotiation process on the Digital Economy Framework Agreement is being accelerated to position ASEAN as a leading digital economic hub, promoting regional integration, expanding global connectivity, and enhancing capacity for addressing challenges of the modern global economy. (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
  • High-tech control is an economic concern, along with the grip on supply chains and critical minerals, and the shaping of connectivity. (India)
  • There is a need to break with the cycle of dependence on the export of raw materials and strengthen economic autonomy, maximising the value of raw materials. (Burkina Faso, Niger)
  • Lasting prosperity involves proactive industrialisation policies, maximising the value of raw materials, and creating decent jobs. (Burkina Faso)
  • Making the most of scientific progress, technological advancement and innovation, which are genuine levers for shared, lasting development. (Burkina Faso) 

For other topics discussed, head over to our dedicated UNGA80 page, where you can explore more insights from the General Debate.

Diplo NEWS25 Insta UNGA

The 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80)

The General Debate at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly brings together high-level representatives from across the globe to discuss the most pressing issues of our time. The session took place against the backdrop of the UN’s 80th anniversary, serving as a moment for both reflection and a forward-looking assessment of the organisation’s role and relevance.

Sam Altman predicts AGI could arrive before 2030

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has warned that AI could soon automate up to 40 percent of the tasks humans currently perform. He made the remarks in an interview with German newspaper Die Welt, highlighting the potential economic shift AI will trigger.

Altman described OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-5, as the most advanced yet and claimed it is ‘smarter than me and most people’. He said artificial general intelligence (AGI), capable of outperforming humans in all areas, could arrive before 2030.

Instead of focusing on job losses, Altman suggested examining the percentage of tasks that AI will automate. He predicted that 30 to 40 per cent of tasks currently carried out by humans may soon be completed by AI systems.

These comments contribute to the growing debate about the societal impact of AI, with mass layoffs already being linked to automation. Altman emphasised that this wave of change will reshape economies and workplaces, requiring businesses and governments to prepare for disruption.

As AGI approaches, Altman urged individuals to focus on acquiring in-demand skills to stay relevant in an AI-enabled economy. The relationship between humans and machines, he said, will be permanently reshaped by these developments.

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Qwen3-Omni tops Hugging Face as China’s open AI challenge grows

Alibaba’s Qwen3-Omni multimodal AI system has quickly risen to the top of Hugging Face’s trending model list, challenging closed systems from OpenAI and Google. The series unifies text, image, audio, and video processing in a single model, signalling the rapid growth of Chinese open-source AI.

Qwen3-Omni-30B-A3B currently leads Hugging Face’s list, followed by the image-editing model Qwen-Image-Edit-2509. Alibaba’s cloud division describes Qwen3-Omni as the first fully integrated multimodal AI framework built for real-world applications.

Self-reported benchmarks suggest Qwen3-Omni outperforms Qwen2.5-Omni-7B, OpenAI’s GPT-4o, and Google’s Gemini-2.5-Flash, known as ‘Nano Banana’, in audio recognition, comprehension, and video understanding tasks.

Open-source dominance is growing, with Alibaba’s models taking half the top 10 spots on Hugging Face rankings. Tencent, DeepSeek, and OpenBMB filled most of the remaining positions, leaving IBM as the only Western representative.

The ATOM Project warned that US leadership in AI could erode as open models from China gain adoption. It argued that China’s approach draws businesses and researchers away from American systems, which have become increasingly closed.

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OpenAI for Germany to modernise public sector with AI

SAP SE and OpenAI have announced the launch of OpenAI for Germany, a partnership to bring advanced AI solutions to the public sector.

The initiative will combine SAP’s expertise with OpenAI’s AI technology, ensuring safe, responsible use while meeting strict German data, security, and legal standards. The platform will be supported by SAP’s Delos Cloud, running on Microsoft Azure technology.

Starting in 2026, the collaboration will help public sector staff and institutions streamline tasks, automate workflows, and focus on people rather than paperwork. Customised AI will be integrated into existing systems to improve records management and data analysis.

SAP plans to expand Delos Cloud infrastructure to 4,000 GPUs to support AI workloads and will explore further investment based on demand.

OpenAI for Germany aligns with the country’s national AI strategy, which aims for AI-driven value creation of up to 10% of GDP by 2030. The ‘Made for Germany’ initiative, supported by 61 companies including SAP, has pledged over €631 billion for growth and digital modernisation.

SAP has also committed more than €20 billion to reinforce Europe’s digital sovereignty.

SAP, OpenAI, and Microsoft executives emphasised the partnership’s focus on trust, safety, and operational resilience. The initiative underscores Germany’s commitment to AI, maintaining strict standards and ensuring benefits reach all public institutions.

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Musk escalates legal battle with new lawsuit against OpenAI

Elon Musk’s xAI has sued OpenAI, alleging a coordinated and unlawful campaign to steal its proprietary technology. The complaint alleges OpenAI targeted former xAI staff to steal source code, training methods, and data centre strategies.

The lawsuit claims OpenAI recruiter Tifa Chen offered large packages to engineers who then allegedly uploaded xAI’s source code to personal devices. Notable incidents include Xuechen Li confessing to code theft and Jimmy Fraiture allegedly transferring confidential files via AirDrop repeatedly.

Legal experts note the case centres on employee poaching and the definition of xAI’s ‘secret sauce,’ including GPU racking, vendor contracts, and operational playbooks.

Liability may depend on whether OpenAI knowingly directed recruiters, while the company could defend itself by showing independent creation with time-stamped records.

xAI is seeking damages, restitution, and injunctions requiring OpenAI to remove its materials and destroy models built using them. The lawsuit is Musk’s latest legal action against OpenAI, following a recent antitrust case with Apple over alleged market dominance.

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