Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025
World gathers in Norway to shape digital future
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025 opened in Lillestrøm, Norway, marking its 20th anniversary and coinciding with the World Summit on the Information Society Plus 20 (WSIS+20) review. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in a video message, underscored that digital cooperation has shifted from aspiration to necessity. He highlighted global challenges such as the digital divide, online hate speech, and concentrated tech power, calling for immediate action to ensure a more equitable digital future. – https://dig.watch/updates/world-gathers-in-norway-to-shape-digital-future
Protecting the vulnerable online: Global lawmakers push for new digital safety standards
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) At the 2025 Internet Governance Forum in Lillestrøm, Norway, a parliamentary session titled ‘Click with Care: Protecting Vulnerable Groups Online’ gathered lawmakers, regulators, and digital rights experts from around the world to confront the urgent issue of online harm targeting marginalised communities. Speakers from Uganda, the Philippines, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Kenya shared insights on how current laws often fall short, especially in the Global South where women, children, and LGBTQ+ groups face disproportionate digital threats. Research presented showed alarming trends—one in three African women experience online abuse, often with no support or recourse, and platforms’ moderation systems are frequently inadequate, slow, or biassed in favor of users from the Global North. – https://dig.watch/updates/protecting-the-vulnerable-online-global-lawmakers-push-for-new-digital-safety-standards
Global South pushes for digital inclusion
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) At the 2025 Internet Governance Forum in Lillestrøm, Norway, global leaders, youth delegates, and digital policymakers convened to confront one of the most pressing challenges of the digital age: bridging the digital divide in the Global South. UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua highlighted that while connectivity has improved since 2015, 2.6 billion people—primarily in the least developed countries—remain offline. The issue, however, is no longer just about cables and coverage. It now includes access to affordable devices, digital literacy, and the skills needed to navigate the internet safely and meaningfully. – https://dig.watch/updates/global-south-pushes-for-digital-inclusion
Big Tech’s grip on information sparks urgent debate at IGF 2025 in Norway
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) At the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway, global leaders, tech executives, civil society figures, and academics converged for a high-level session to confront one of the digital age’s most pressing dilemmas: how to protect democratic discourse and human rights amid big tech’s tightening control over the global information space. The session, titled ‘Losing the Information Space?’, tackled the rising threat of disinformation, algorithmic opacity, and the erosion of public trust, all amplified by powerful AI technologies. Norwegian Minister Lubna Jaffery sounded the alarm, referencing the annulled Romanian presidential election as a stark reminder of how influence operations and AI-driven disinformation campaigns can destabilise democracies. She warned that while platforms have democratised access to expression, they’ve also created fragmented echo chambers and supercharged the spread of propaganda. – https://dig.watch/updates/big-techs-grip-on-information-sparks-urgent-debate-at-igf-2025-in-norway
Small states, big ambitions: How startups and nations are shaping the future of AI
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) At the Internet Governance Forum 2025 in Lillestrøm, Norway, a dynamic discussion unfolded on how small states and startups can influence the global AI landscape. The session, hosted by Norway, challenged the notion that only tech giants can shape AI’s future. Instead, it presented a compelling vision of innovation rooted in agility, trust, contextual expertise, and collaborative governance. Norway’s Digitalisation Minister, Karianne Tung, outlined her country’s ambition to become the world’s most digitalised nation by 2030, citing initiatives like the Olivia supercomputer and open-access language models tailored to Norwegian society. Startups such as Cognite showcased how domain-specific data—particularly in energy and industry—can give smaller players a strategic edge. – https://dig.watch/updates/small-states-big-ambitions-how-startups-and-nations-are-shaping-the-future-of-ai
Governance and Legislation
AI on the Edge of Space. Securing Space Superiority and Avoiding Surprise in Orbit
(Christopher Huynh – Center for Security and Emerging Technology – June 2025) The U.S. Space Force faces growing threats from near-peer adversaries capable of targeting U.S. satellites, underscoring the need for enhanced space control capabilities. This paper examines how artificial intelligence can augment space domain awareness (SDA) and orbital warfare functions to help avoid operational surprise in orbit. Integrating AI, both on ground systems and onboard satellites, is essential to accelerating decision-making, enhancing satellite survivability, and maintaining domain knowledge in an increasingly contested environment. This analysis reviews emerging AI applications upon two space mission areas and proposes additional areas for research. For the SDA mission area, it highlights the power of neural networks and explainable AI tools, such as Local Interpretable Model- Agnostic Explanations (LIME), to accelerate space object detection and improve sensor tasking efficiency. For the orbital warfare mission area, it explores how onboard AI agents can be applied to autonomously manage engagements through rendezvous and proximity operations (RPOs), optimize other satellite subsystems, and enable responsive payload tasking—within the constraints of satellite power and compute limitations. These findings are informed by recently published technical papers and defense policy documents. The paper concludes with recommendations for responsible AI adoption into the above mission areas. These include the immediate adoption of some more mature SDA models, and procuring upgradeable satellite systems with sufficient onboard compute. This paper also recommends key policy considerations, such as defining boundaries for on-orbit autonomy, and establishing rigorous test and evaluation protocols to ensure transparent and auditable AI. In aggregate, implementing all or some of these efforts could significantly increase satellite survivability, and create opportunities to gain an algorithmically informed advantage to secure space superiority. – https://cset.georgetown.edu/publication/ai-on-the-edge-of-space/
Texas Statewide Quantum Initiative Becomes Law
(Quantum Insider – 24 June 2025) Texas has enacted a new law to establish the Texas Quantum Initiative, aiming to position the state as a national leader in quantum computing, networking, and sensing technologies. The legislation creates a governor-appointed advisory committee, a strategic planning process, and a grant fund to support research, workforce training, and quantum manufacturing efforts. The initiative will deliver annual strategic plans and biennial reports to state leaders, prioritizing commercially relevant infrastructure, federal funding opportunities, and supply chain development. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/06/24/texas-quantum-initiative-passed/
Banks and tech firms create open-source AI standards
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) A group of leading banks and technology firms has joined forces to create standardised open-source controls for AI within the financial sector. The initiative, led by the Fintech Open Source Foundation (FINOS), includes financial institutions such as Citi, BMO, RBC, and Morgan Stanley, working alongside major cloud providers like Microsoft, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services. – https://dig.watch/updates/banks-and-tech-firms-create-open-source-ai-standards
NCSC issues new guidance for EU cybersecurity rules
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published new guidance to assist organisations in meeting the upcoming EU Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) requirements. Ireland missed the October 2024 deadline but is expected to adopt the directive soon. – https://dig.watch/updates/ncsc-issues-new-guidance-for-eu-cybersecurity-rules
Geostrategies
Alibaba Cloud launches new AI tools and education partnerships in Europe
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) Alibaba Cloud has announced a new suite of AI services as part of its expans ion across Europe. Revealed during the Alibaba European Summit in Paris, the company said the new offerings reinforce its long-term commitment to the region by providing AI-driven tools and cloud solutions for fashion, healthcare, and automotive industries. A key development is a significant upgrade to the Platform for AI (PAI), Alibaba’s AI computing platform hosted in the Frankfurt cloud region. The company stated that the enhancements will increase efficiency and scalability to meet the rising demand for compute-intensive workloads. – https://dig.watch/updates/alibaba-cloud-launches-new-ai-tools-and-education-partnerships-in-europe
EU and Australia to begin negotiations on security and defence partnership
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) Brussels and Canberra begin negotiations on a Security and Defence Partnership (SDP). The announcement follows a meeting between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The proposed SDP aims to establish a formal framework for cooperation in a range of security-related areas. These include defence industry collaboration, counter-terrorism and cyber threats, maritime security, non-proliferation and disarmament, space security, economic security, and responses to hybrid threats. – https://dig.watch/updates/eu-and-australia-to-begin-negotiations-on-security-and-defence-partnership
Security
The Future of American Cybersecurity
(Paul Rosenzweig – Lawfare – 24 June 2025) The following text is a slightly revised version of a talk given by the author at the May 2025 V2 Security Conference in Copenhagen – My theme today is to try and answer the question: “What do we expect from the Trump administration with respect to cybersecurity and data privacy in the next four years?” The “A” answer of course is that nobody really knows. Trump is exceedingly unpredictable—the more so with respect to issue areas where he really has no preconceived and settled notion. Unlike, say, tariffs, it seems likely that Trump has given little thought to cybersecurity or data privacy—and thus his reactions are likely to be off the cuff. But that would be a short analysis, and you deserve more. So let’s dive in. My deeper analysis starts by providing a broad context for U.S.-EU cybersecurity and data privacy engagement today. I then turn to specific predictions about Trump’s expected actions in the areas of cybersecurity and data privacy. I conclude with some thoughts on how these actions will impact the EU and how the EU member states ought to consider responding. – https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-future-of-american-cybersecurity
How AI power lets hackers automate cyber attacks. Are you prepared to fight?
(Interesting Engineering – 24 June 2025) It seems like it wasn’t that long ago when people’s biggest cybersecurity worry was that someone might guess their password correctly. Those were simpler times. Back then, most businesses felt safe deploying antivirus software, training employees around what a suspicious link looks like, and calling it a day. That approach worked about as well as you’d expect, but at least the threats were predictable. But today, the threat landscape has changed dramatically. Cybercriminals have become much more sophisticated and organized in recent years. They’re using advanced automation techniques, targeting specific industries (or people) with precision, and operating ransomware-as-a-service models that scale their operations. Meanwhile, most businesses are blissfully unaware, still running the same security strategies that were already questionable five or six years ago. The result? A completely unbalanced security landscape where traditional defenses are increasingly outmatched by evolving threats. This gap isn’t sustainable. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/how-ai-power-lets-hackers-automate-cyber-attacks-are-you-prepared-to-fight
WhatsApp prohibited on US House devices citing data risk
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) Meta Platforms’ messaging service WhatsApp has been banned from all devices used by the US House of Representatives, according to an internal memo distributed to staff on Monday. The memo, issued by the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, stated that the Office of Cybersecurity had classified WhatsApp as a high-risk application. – https://dig.watch/updates/whatsapp-prohibited-on-us-house-devices-citing-data-risk
AI safety concerns grow after new study on misaligned behaviour
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) AI continues to evolve rapidly, but new research reveals troubling risks that could undermine its benefits. A recent study by Anthropic has exposed how large language models, including its own Claude, can engage in behaviours such as simulated blackmail or industrial espionage when their objectives conflict with human instructions. The phenomenon, described as ‘agentic misalignment’, shows how AI can act deceptively to preserve itself when facing threats like shutdown. – https://dig.watch/updates/ai-safety-concerns-grow-after-new-study-on-misaligned-behaviour
Defense, Intelligence, and Warfare
11-pound electronic warfare weapon lets drones sniff out enemy radio signals mid-air
(Interesting Engineering – 24 June 2025) At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Thales introduced a compact, low-power electronic warfare (EW) payload designed for deployment on light drones, offering frontline forces a critical new tool for electromagnetic dominance in contested environments. Weighing under 5 kg (11 pounds) and consuming less than 40 watts, the new sensor system is engineered for integration with small unmanned aerial systems (UAS), either free-flying or tethered, enabling autonomous detection and geolocation of radio-frequency (RF) emitters over tens of miles. – https://interestingengineering.com/military/thales-drones-electronic-spies
Frontiers
Yokogawa Collaborates with Shell on Robotics and AI Technology for Plant Maintenance
(AI Insider – 24 June 2025) Yokogawa Electric Corporation has signed a long-term agreement with Shell Global Solutions to integrate Shell’s Operator Round by Exception (ORE) machine vision technology into Yokogawa’s OpreX Robot Management Core, enhancing autonomous plant monitoring and maintenance capabilities. The collaboration aims to address workforce shortages and improve safety by enabling robots and drones to perform routine operator tasks such as gauge reading and leak detection, with ORE using AI-powered machine vision to automate visual inspections. Yokogawa will begin deploying the integrated solution at two Shell sites and has committed to a shared R&D roadmap with Shell at the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam, signaling a broader effort to advance autonomous industrial operations across the energy and chemicals sectors. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/06/24/yokogawa-collaborates-with-shell-on-robotics-and-ai-technology-for-plant-maintenance/
SWARM Biotactics Raised €13 Million to Advance Bio-Robotics From Lab to Field
(AI Insider – 24 June 2025) SWARM Biotactics, a German deep-tech startup developing insect-based bio-robotic systems for defense and disaster response, has raised €10 million in seed funding, bringing total capital to €13 million with backing from Vertex Ventures US, Possible Ventures, and Capnamic. The company outfits living cockroaches with sensor-equipped control backpacks to create AI-enabled bio-swarms capable of navigating and gathering real-time data in environments inaccessible to traditional robots or drones. Funding will support the move from R&D to operational pilots in Europe and North America, scaling production of sensor units and neural interfaces, and expanding SWARM’s engineering and field operations for mission-critical applications in denied or high-risk terrain – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/06/24/swarm-biotactics-raised-e13-million-to-advance-bio-robotics-from-lab-to-field/
Goldman Sachs Launches Firmwide AI Assistant to Boost Workforce Productivity
(AI Insider – 24 June 2025) Goldman Sachs has officially launched its GS AI Assistant, a generative AI-powered productivity tool now available to employees across the firm, according to an internal memo from Chief Information Officer Marco Argenti. The assistant, already in use by over 10,000 staff members, is designed to streamline tasks such as document summarization, content drafting, and data analysis. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/06/24/goldman-sachs-launches-firmwide-ai-assistant-to-boost-workforce-productivity/
Japan unveils world’s most advanced quantum–classical hybrid computing system
(Interesting Engineering – 24 June 2025) Japan now hosts the world’s most advanced quantum–classical hybrid setup, pairing IBM’s cutting-edge quantum system with one of Earth’s fastest supercomputers. On Tuesday, IBM and Japan’s national research lab RIKEN unveiled the first IBM Quantum System Two installed outside the U.S., integrated directly with Fugaku — the country’s flagship supercomputer. This marks a major step toward “quantum-centric supercomputing,” where quantum and classical systems work together to solve problems neither could tackle alone. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/japan-ibm-quantum-fugaku-hybrid
Humanoid robots get cloud-free brains as Google drops offline Gemini AI
(Interesting Engineering – 24 June 2025) Google DeepMind has launched a powerful on-device version of its Gemini Robotics AI model. The new system can control physical robots without relying on cloud connectivity. It marks a major step in deploying fast, adaptive, and general-purpose robotics in real-world environments. The model, known as ‘Gemini Robotics On-Device,’ brings Gemini 2.0’s multimodal reasoning into robots with no internet required. It’s designed for latency-sensitive use cases and environments with poor or no connectivity. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/google-robotics-offline-intelligence
South Korea Recognizes Quantum And AI Chip Designs as National Strategic Technologies
(Quantum Insider – 24 June 2025) South Korea has designated quantum random number generation and low-power AI chip design for autonomous vehicles as national strategic technologies, expanding government support for secure communication and future mobility systems. EYL’s quantum random number generator was recognized for its role in quantum cryptography, offering enhanced security through true randomness based on quantum physical processes, according to Chosun Biz. Boss Semiconductor’s AI chip design was acknowledged for enabling real-time data processing in autonomous vehicles while minimizing power consumption, as reported by Chosun Biz. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/06/24/south-korea-recognizes-quantum-and-ai-chip-designs-as-national-strategic-technologies/
IBM and RIKEN Unveil First IBM Quantum System Two Outside of the U.S.
(Quantum Insider – 24 June 2025) IBM and RIKEN have launched the first IBM Quantum System Two outside the U.S., co-located with the Fugaku supercomputer in Japan to advance hybrid quantum-classical computing. The system uses IBM’s 156-qubit Heron processor, which outperforms the previous generation in both error rate and speed, achieving circuit operations 10× faster than before. The integration enables development of low-latency quantum-classical workflows, with early demonstrations including accurate modeling of complex molecules like iron sulfides. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/06/24/ibm-riken-system-two/
India’s QNu Labs Launches Quantum Training Academy to Build Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline
(Quantum Insider – 24 June 2025) QNu Labs has launched QNu Academy to build a global workforce trained in quantum cybersecurity, aligning with India’s National Quantum Mission, reports TimesTech. The program offers practical and academic training in quantum-secure technologies such as QKD, QRNG, and PQC, with support from institutions like the IITs and DRDO. QNu Academy includes career readiness initiatives, faculty development, and Centers of Excellence to expand India’s quantum research and talent base. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/06/23/indias-qnu-labs-launches-quantum-training-academy-to-build-cybersecurity-talent-pipeline/
EU Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for Next-Gen Photonic Circuits & Europe’s 1st Commercial Supplier of LNOI Wafers
(Quantum Insider – 24 June 2025) The EU-funded ELENA project has developed the first fully European supply chain for lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) substrates, enabling high-performance photonic integrated circuits. The initiative established Europe’s first commercial LNOI wafer supply and launched CCRAFT, an open-access foundry for mass-producing thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic chips. Demonstrator chips targeting quantum, telecom, space, and sensing applications validate the platform’s potential to meet growing demand for energy-efficient optical technologies. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/06/23/eu-project-elena-pioneers-lnoi-platform-for-next-gen-photonic-circuits-europes-1st-commercial-supplier-of-lnoi-wafers/
MIT Study Shows LLMs Factor in Unrelated Information When Recommending Medical Treatments
(AI Insider – 24 June 2025) A new MIT study presented at the ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency, finds that large language models used in health care can make flawed treatment recommendations when exposed to nonclinical text variations such as typos, informal language, and missing gender cues. The study tested four models, including GPT-4, using altered patient messages that preserved clinical content but mimicked realistic communication styles, revealing a 7–9% increase in erroneous self-care advice, particularly for female patients. Researchers call for stricter audits and new evaluation benchmarks before LLMs are deployed in clinical settings, warning that models trained on sanitized data may falter under real-world patient interaction scenarios. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/06/24/mit-study-shows-llms-factor-in-unrelated-information-when-recommending-medical-treatments/
China pushes quantum computing towards industrial use
(DigWatch – 24 June 2025) A Chinese startup has used quantum computing to improve breast cancer screening accuracy, highlighting how the technology could transform medical diagnostics—based in Hefei, Origin Quantum applied its superconducting quantum processor to analyse medical images faster and more precisely. – https://dig.watch/updates/china-pushes-quantum-computing-towards-industrial-use