Governance
A dynamic dialogue with Southeast Asia to put the OECD AI Principles into action
(Naoko Ueda, Karine Perset – OECD.AI – 10 September 2025) A policy roundtable in Tokyo and a workshop in Bangkok deepened the dialogue between Southeast Asia and the OECD, fostering collaboration on AI governance across countries, sectors, and policy communities. – https://oecd.ai/en/wonk/a-dynamic-dialogue-with-southeast-asia-to-put-the-oecd-ai-principles-into-action
Report: Hybridisation of Online Threats
(Tech Against Terrorism – 9 September 2025) At this year’s TS Forum, Tech Against Terrorism, in partnership with the Trust & Safety Forum, hosted a series of workshops on the Hybridisation of Online Threats. Across three interactive sessions, we brought together subject matter experts, policymakers, NGOs, and platforms to address how distinct harms – terrorist and violent extremist content (TVEC), child sexual abuse material (CSAM), image-based sexual abuse (IBSA), disinformation, and the misuse of AI – are increasingly intersecting online. Participants agreed that this hybridisation demands an equally hybrid, rights-respecting, and survivor-informed response. This post-event white paper details findings and recommendations to help drive further research and policymaking in this crucial space. – https://techagainstterrorism.org/news/report-hybridisation-of-online-threats
Geostrategies
2025 State of the Union: tech sovereignty amid geopolitical pressure
(DigWatch – 10 September 2025) The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, delivered her 2025 State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The speech set out priorities for the coming year, and was framed by growing geopolitical tensions and the push for a more self-reliant Europe. Von der Leyen highlighted that global dynamics have shifted. ‘Battlelines for a new world order based on power are being drawn right now’, she said. In this context, Europe must take a more assertive role in defending its own security and advancing the technologies that will underpin its economic future. The President characterised this moment as a turning point for European independence. Digital policy appeared less prominently than expected in the address. Von der Leyen often referred to ‘technology sovereignty’, to encompass not only digital technologies, but also other types of technologies necessary for the green transition and to achieve energetic autonomy. – https://dig.watch/updates/2025-state-of-the-union-tech-sovereignty-amid-geopolitical-pressure – https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/state-union/state-union-2025_en
State of the Union 2025: What’s Ahead for Tech in Europe
(Ramsha Jahangir – Tech Policy Press – 10 September 2025) Today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her 2025 State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, outlining the Commission’s priorities for the year ahead amid rising geopolitical tensions and the drive to establish a more independent Europe. “Battle lines for a new world order based on power are being drawn right now. So, yes, Europe must fight,” von der Leyen declared, emphasizing what she said is the urgent need for the continent to take responsibility for its own defense and security as well as technologies that will fuel European economies. This, she said, must be Europe’s “Independence Moment.”. The European Commission president’s message aligns with recent calls from leaders such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron, who have urged Europe to assert itself more forcefully or risk losing influence on the world stage. While von der Leyen expressed strong ambitions for European sovereignty, her speech offered nothing concrete or new on technology. – https://www.techpolicy.press/state-of-the-union-2025-whats-ahead-for-tech-in-europe/
Digital Sovereignty Requires More Than Just European Tech
(Eliot Bendinelli – Tech Policy Press – 10 September 2025) When European leaders make exclusive announcements on X, do they consider what would happen if Elon Musk decided to delete them? Nothing prevents him from doing so. As the US continues to pressure allies and enemies alike to protect its tech industry, the response should be a resounding yes. From social media to cloud services, AI compute power and microchips, governments around the world are waking up to how dependent they are on American tech. As a response, the principle of digital sovereignty is rapidly gaining momentum. Europe, in particular, on the back of years of increasingly ambitious tech legislation, is ripe for discussion and home to a flurry of proposals. A prominent one is the Eurostack, a European values-driven project. While this analysis is accurate, the strategies identified to enact the EU’s digital sovereignty often seem focused on imitating the success of the US tech sector. – https://www.techpolicy.press/digital-sovereignty-requires-more-than-european-tech/
AI export rules tighten as the US opens global opportunities
(DigWatch – 10 September 2025) President Trump has signed an Executive Order to promote American leadership in AI exports, marking a significant policy shift. The move creates new global opportunities for US businesses but also introduces stricter compliance responsibilities. The order establishes the American AI Exports Program, overseen by the Department of Commerce, to develop and deploy ‘full-stack’ AI export packages. – https://dig.watch/updates/ai-export-rules-tighten-as-the-us-opens-global-opportunities – https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/u-s-executive-order-propels-american-ai-3952418
Japan and Taiwan deepen semiconductor collaboration beyond business
(DigWatch – 10 September 2025) Experts from Japan and Taiwan have highlighted closer cooperation in semiconductors, stressing that ties extend beyond business into education and research. At a forum in Taipei, SEMI’s Terry Tsao said Taiwan’s chip design and fabrication expertise complements Japan’s materials and manufacturing equipment strengths. He noted that TSMC’s Kumamoto expansion creates opportunities for talent development in partnership with local schools. – https://dig.watch/updates/japan-and-taiwan-deepen-semiconductor-collaboration-beyond-business – https://japantoday.com/category/tech/japan-taiwan-highlight-semiconductor-talent-research-collaboration
Malta: Lessons in Agility, Collaboration, and Vision
(Quantum Insider – 9 September 2025) Malta served as the first stop of the Quantum World Tour, an initiative launched by the ITU and The Quantum Insider to showcase how nations translate quantum strategy into action. Malta positions itself as a testbed and connector, leveraging its small size and geography to advance projects like PRISM, Europe’s first nationwide QKD network. Startups like Merqury Cybersecurity demonstrate how research translates into real-world impact, addressing urgent risks such as “harvest now, decrypt later” threats. Workforce leaders stress the need for reskilling, stronger institutional structures, and collaboration across government, academia, and industry to sustain growth. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/09/09/malta-lessons-in-agility-collaboration-and-vision/
Radicalization, Extremism, Terrorism
The Online Radicalization of Youth Remains a Growing Problem Worldwide
(The Soufan Center – 9 September 2025) The online radicalization of youth worldwide is a growing problem that policymakers and government officials continue to grapple with. Youth radicalization is not only a problem in the United States and Europe but also in Asia, particularly in South Korea, India, the Philippines, and Singapore. Social media platforms like TikTok, X, and Facebook enable violent extremists to recruit youths more expediently than in-person; algorithms channel those youths to more emotionally charged content; and online gaming enables both isolation and community building; each of these has a radicalizing effect. A public health approach where practitioners work to “inoculate” youths against extremism by providing knowledge, alternative narratives, and community is beginning to bear fruit, but funding cuts could challenge the initiatives. – https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2025-september-9/
Security
KillSec Ransomware is Attacking Healthcare Institutions in Brazil
(Security Affairs – 10 September 2025) The KillSec Ransomware group has threatened to leak sensitive data unless negotiations are initiated promptly. According to threat intelligence reporting by Resecurity, the root cause of the incident – data exfiltration from insecure AWS S3 bucket. Considering the investigation performed by cybersecurity experts, the window of exposure can be estimated at ‘several months.’ Probably, this is the first notable supply chain incident affecting the healthcare industry in Brazil. Notably, it is not the first time the ransomware group has targeted Brazil. Some time ago, the actors leaked personal and business data containing CNPJ/CPF identifiers, transaction amounts, banking information, and other data from government resources in Brazil. At that time, the group did not clarify the full scope of the breach or its possible source. KillSec Ransomware was known for both confirmed incidents and fakes or speculations. – https://securityaffairs.com/182063/cyber-crime/killsec-ransomware-is-attacking-healthcare-institutions-in-brazil.html
Major blood center says thousands had data leaked in January ransomware attack
(Jonathan Greig – The Record – 9 September 2025) One of the largest independent blood centers serving over 75 million people across the U.S. began sending data breach notification letters to victims this week after suffering a ransomware attack in January. New York Blood Center submitted documents to regulators in Maine, Texas, New Hampshire and California that confirmed the cyberattack, which they said was first discovered on January 26. – https://therecord.media/blood-center-discloses-details-on–january-ransomware-attack
Defence and Warfare
Milrem Robotics, Overwatch Aerospace, MSI-Defence Systems, and Pearson Engineering Join Forces to Deliver UK-Specific THeMIS Combat UGV
(AI Insider – 10 September 2025) Milrem Robotics and UK partners Overwatch Aerospace, MSI-Defence Systems, and Pearson Engineering have launched a UK-specific version of the THeMIS Combat Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) at DSEI 2025. The platform combines Milrem’s THeMIS UGV with MSI’s TERRAHAWK remote weapon station and Overwatch’s APEX unmanned aerial system, while Pearson provides integration expertise to tailor the vehicle to UK operational needs. Development, testing, and production will take place in the UK, with the program now entering trials to deliver a deployable, scalable robotic combat solution for the British Army. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/09/10/milrem-robotics-overwatch-aerospace-msi-defence-systems-and-pearson-engineering-join-forces-to-deliver-uk-specific-themis-combat-ugv/
Frontiers
China unveils ‘world’s first’ brain-like AI that runs 100 times faster than rivals
(Interesting Engineering – 10 September 2025) Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Automation in Beijing have introduced a new artificial intelligence system called SpikingBrain 1.0. Described by the team as a “brain-like” large language model, it is designed to use less energy and operate on homegrown Chinese hardware rather than chips from industry leader Nvidia. “Mainstream Transformer-based large language models (LLMs) face significant efficiency bottlenecks: training computation scales quadratically with sequence length, and inference memory grows linearly,” said the researchers in a non-peer-reviewed technical paper. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/china-unveil-brain-like-ai
SandboxAQ Releases AQCat25 Dataset, Accelerating Next-Generation Catalysis and Materials Discovery with AI
(AI Insider – 10 September 2025) SandboxAQ released AQCat25, a large-scale AI dataset with 11 million data points to accelerate catalyst discovery and industrial chemistry applications. The dataset incorporates spin polarization and covers 40,000 catalyst-intermediate systems, enabling accurate modeling and extending machine learning approaches to new industrially relevant problems. Generated using over 400,000 GPU-hours on NVIDIA DGX Cloud, AQCat25 is publicly available on Hugging Face for academic and industrial use in areas such as sustainable fuels, hydrogen, and fertilizer production. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/09/10/sandboxaq-releases-aqcat25-dataset-accelerating-next-generation-catalysis-and-materials-discovery-with-ai/
Kanematsu Invests in Intuition Robotics to Collaborate on Japanese Expansion of AI Companion Robot, ‘ElliQ’
(AI Insider – 10 September 2025) Kanematsu Corporation has partnered with Intuition Robotics to co-develop and launch a Japanese market version of ElliQ, the AI companion robot for older adults, marking the company’s first international expansion outside the U.S. Kanematsu has also invested in Intuition Robotics, bringing the company’s total equity funding to $85 million, and plans to leverage its 20,000+ partner network to introduce ElliQ to Japan in 2026. ElliQ, already used by thousands of U.S. seniors, provides health management, preventive care, reminders, and social interaction, with studies showing it reduces loneliness (94%), improves wellness (97%), and enhances quality of life (90%). – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/09/10/kanematsu-invests-in-intuition-robotics-to-collaborate-on-japanese-expansion-of-ai-companion-robot-elliq/
Resemble AI Launches Generative AI Voice-Based Deepfake Simulation Platform, Available to the Public Sector Through Carahsoft
(AI Insider – 10 September 2025) Resemble AI and Carahsoft Technology Corp. have launched a generative AI-based simulation platform to help public sector organizations defend against voice phishing, identity fraud, and deepfake-driven social engineering. The platform uses hyper-realistic, real-time simulations—powered by Resemble’s proprietary voice models and LLM integration—to train employees through phone, WhatsApp, and email attack scenarios, assigning risk scores and highlighting organizational blind spots. Available through Carahsoft’s government contracts, the system has shown up to a 90% reduction in successful attacks, providing agencies with scalable training, compliance reporting, and protection against an estimated $2.6 billion in global deepfake fraud. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/09/10/resemble-ai-launches-generative-ai-voice-based-deepfake-simulation-platform-available-to-the-public-sector-through-carahsoft/
Harvard Researchers Develop New AI Tool that Pinpoints Genes, Drug Combos to Restore Health in Diseased Cells
(AI Insider – 10 September 2025) Harvard Medical School researchers have developed PDGrapher, an AI tool that identifies drug targets capable of reversing disease states in cells, potentially transforming drug discovery. Tested on 19 datasets across 11 cancer types, PDGrapher outperformed other AI models—ranking correct targets up to 35% higher and delivering results up to 25 times faster—while surfacing both known and novel treatment candidates. Backed by federal grants and industry partnerships, the model is already being applied to cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and rare neurodegenerative disorders, with long-term potential for personalized combination therapies. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/09/10/harvard-researchers-develop-new-ai-tool-that-pinpoints-genes-drug-combos-to-restore-health-in-diseased-cells/
AI in weather forecasting takes centre stage in Abu Dhabi
(DigWatch – 10 September 2025) Abu Dhabi hosted a Weather Summit that explored how AI could transform forecasting and support operations, such as cloud seeding. Experts emphasised that AI enhances analysis but must complement, rather than replace, human judgement. Discussions focused on Earth-system forecasting using satellite datasets, IoT devices, and geospatial systems. Quality, interoperability, and equitable access to weather services were highlighted as pressing priorities. – https://dig.watch/updates/ai-in-weather-forecasting-takes-centre-stage-in-abu-dhabi – https://gulfnews.com/uae/weather/artificial-intelligence-takes-the-lead-in-weather-forecasting-cloud-seeding-1.500263700
RobCo Launches in the US With New San Francisco HQ to Meet Automation Demand
(AI Insider – 9 September 2025) RobCo, the robot-as-a-service (RaaS) automation company, expanded its U.S. presence with a new San Francisco HQ, two Austin assembly sites, and the acquisition of Rapid Robotics’ assets, team, and customers. The expansion comes amid U.S. labor shortages and reshoring efforts, with RobCo research showing 61% of U.S. manufacturers accelerating automation plans and 95% planning new deployments within three years. RobCo’s modular robots, AI-driven no-code software, and pay-as-you-go RaaS model make automation faster, more affordable, and accessible, already serving brands like BMW, Wildpack Beverage, and Linamar with backing from Sequoia, Lightspeed, and Kindred Capital. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/09/09/robco-launches-in-the-us-with-new-san-francisco-hq-to-meet-automation-demand/
SCOREalytics Raises $3M+ Seed Funding Amid Surge in AI-Powered Legal Intelligence Adoption by Legal Teams and Global Law Firms
(AI Insider – 9 September 2025) SCOREalytics raised over $3M in seed funding led by Moneta Ventures with participation from Ollin Ventures, aiming to scale its AI-powered legal intelligence platform and expand adoption among legal and compliance teams. The platform uses large language models and proprietary data pipelines to help enterprises and law firms detect litigation threats, regulatory changes, and compliance risks in real time. Following rapid growth with 25 new Fortune 500 clients and new product launches, SCOREalytics plans to expand its team, accelerate product development, and build the “legal command center of the future.” – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/09/09/scorealytics-raises-3m-seed-funding-amid-surge-in-ai-powered-legal-intelligence-adoption-by-legal-teams-and-global-law-firms/
DroneDeploy Hits Break-Even, Raises $15M to Fuel Construction Progress AI Product
(AI Insider – 9 September 2025) DroneDeploy reached break-even, giving it full control over its growth strategy, and secured $15 million in strategic funding from existing investors to accelerate AI and robotics product development. The company is doubling down on new AI offerings like Progress AI and Safety AI, already used to automate site analysis and reduce costs on large-scale construction projects. Funding will also expand DroneDeploy’s robotics capabilities across quadruped, aerial, and future humanoid systems, cementing its role at the intersection of AI, robotics, and industrial automation. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/09/09/dronedeploy-hits-break-even-raises-15m-to-fuel-construction-progress-ai-product/
Blattner and Built Robotics Announce Contract for Solar Construction Robots
(AI Insider – 9 September 2025) Blattner, a Quanta Services company and leader in renewable energy construction, signed a three-year deal with Built Robotics to deploy dozens of AI-powered robots on U.S. solar projects. The robots will handle tasks like pile driving, surveying, material handling, drilling, and trenching, aiming to boost efficiency while significantly improving worker safety. Built’s machines use an 8-Layer Safety System with a perfect safety record to date, and the partnership builds on prior collaborations that demonstrated both quality and accelerated project timelines. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/09/09/blattner-and-built-robotics-announce-contract-for-solar-construction-robots/
Autonomous Driving Startup QCraft to Open European HQ, Forms Partnership With Qualcomm
(AI Insider – 9 September 2025) QCraft announced at IAA Mobility 2025 that it will partner with Qualcomm to build next-generation assisted driving systems on the Snapdragon Ride platform, aiming to cut production costs and speed deployment for global automakers. The company also unveiled plans for a European headquarters in Germany to oversee R&D integration, certification, and business development, reinforcing its strategy for international expansion. QCraft’s Navigate on Autopilot technology is expected to roll out to about one million vehicles, with mass production beginning in 2026 across Europe, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, positioning the company as a flexible partner supporting Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and Horizon Robotics chipsets. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/09/09/autonomous-driving-startup-qcraft-to-open-european-hq-forms-partnership-with-qualcomm/
Nebius Announces $17.4 Billion Data Center Deal with Microsoft
(AI Insider – 9 September 2025) Nebius Group (NASDAQ: NBIS) signed a multi-year agreement to supply Microsoft with dedicated AI infrastructure capacity from its new Vineland, New Jersey data center starting later this year. CEO Arkady Volozh said the contract is the first of several expected long-term deals with major AI labs and tech companies, adding that it strengthens Nebius’s core AI cloud business. The company will finance related capital expenditures through cash flow from the deal and debt secured against the contract, while exploring additional financing options to accelerate growth. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/09/09/nebius-announces-17-4-billion-data-center-deal-with-microsoft/