Governance
UK government uses AI to boost efficiency and save taxpayer money
(DigWatch – 16 October 2025) The UK government has developed an AI tool, named ‘Consult’, which analysed over 50,000 responses to the Independent Water Commission review in just two hours. The system matched human accuracy and could save 75,000 days of work annually, worth £20 million in staffing costs. Consult sorted responses into key themes at a cost of just £240, with experts needing only 22 hours to verify the results. The AI agreed with human experts 83% of the time, versus 55% between humans, letting officials focus on policy instead of administrative work. – https://dig.watch/updates/uk-government-uses-ai-to-boost-efficiency-and-save-taxpayer-money – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ground-breaking-use-of-ai-saves-taxpayers-money-and-delivers-greater-government-efficiency
New ISO 27701 update strengthens privacy compliance
(DigWatch – 16 October 2025) The International Organization for Standardization has released a major update to ISO 27701, the global standard for managing privacy compliance programmes. The revised version, published in 2025, separates the Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) from ISO 27001. – https://dig.watch/updates/new-iso-27701-update-strengthens-privacy-compliance – https://iapp.org/news/a/iso-updates-standard-on-managing-privacy-compliance-programs
Report warns of AI-driven divide in higher education
(DigWatch – 16 October 2025) A new report from the Higher Education Policy Institute warns of an urgent need to improve AI literacy among staff and students in the UK. The study argues that without coordinated investment in training and policy, higher education risks deepening digital divides and losing relevance in an AI-driven world. – https://dig.watch/updates/report-warns-of-ai-driven-divide-in-higher-education – https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-universities-2025-10-urgent-need-for-more-ai-literacy-in-higher-education-report-says/
Legislation
What Tech Bills California Governor Newsom Signed Or Vetoed in 2025
(Jasmine Mithani – Tech Policy Press – 16 October 2025) California often leads the nation in setting rules for technology. It is also the home of Silicon Valley, leaving the tech industry’s lobbyists with a short commute to Sacramento. With this year’s legislative session officially in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take stock of what bills related to tech policy made it through the lobbying gauntlet and over Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. The state passed a significant number of bills related to AI harms, companion chatbots and consumer privacy, though some were punted to the next session by various committees. – https://www.techpolicy.press/what-tech-bills-california-governor-newsom-signed-or-vetoed-in-2025/
Vietnam unveils draft AI law inspired by EU model
(DigWatch – 16 October 2025) Vietnam is preparing to become one of Asia’s first nations with a dedicated AI law, following the release of a draft bill that mirrors key elements of the EU’s AI Act. The proposal aims to consolidate rules for AI use, strengthen rights protections and promote innovation. The law introduces a four-tier system for classifying risks, from banned applications such as manipulative facial recognition to low-risk uses subject to voluntary standards. High-risk systems, including those in healthcare or finance, would require registration, oversight and incident reporting to a national database. – https://dig.watch/updates/vietnam-unveils-draft-ai-law-inspired-by-eu-model – https://iapp.org/news/a/vietnam-s-draft-ai-law-racing-toward-regulation-with-eu-inspirations
The EU’s Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act. An explainer for transatlantic policy
(Penny Naas, Lindsay Gorman, Antonia Wunnerlich – GMFUS – 15 October 2025) The EU adopted in July 2022 two landmark digital regulations, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA). Both pieces of legislation codify principles and create processes for digital services providers to follow to ensure a wide choice of safe services and derivative products. The laws also aim to allow businesses operating in Europe to freely and fairly compete online as they do offline. The two acts are a product of the European Commission’s strategy to create a fully integrated Digital Single Market (DSM) out of 27 national markets. When they were passed, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Thierry Breton stated, “We are finally building a single digital market, the most important one in the ‘free world’. The same predictable rules will apply, everywhere in the EU, for our 450 million citizens, bringing everyone a safer and fairer digital space.” – https://www.gmfus.org/news/eus-digital-markets-act-and-digital-services-act
Geostrategies
Google and World Bank join forces to build AI-driven public infrastructure
(DigWatch – 16 October 2025) Google and the World Bank Group have announced a partnership to develop AI-powered digital infrastructure for emerging markets. The collaboration aims to accelerate digital transformation by deploying Open Network Stacks that make essential public services more accessible. – https://dig.watch/updates/google-and-world-bank-join-forces-to-build-ai-driven-public-infrastructure – https://blog.google/products/google-cloud/google-and-the-world-bank-group-ai-collaboration/
Starcloud launches data centres into space
(DigWarch – 16 October 2025) A new era in data technology is emerging as Starcloud, a member of NVIDIA’s Inception startup program, prepares to send its first AI-driven satellite into orbit next month. The mission marks the debut of NVIDIA’s H100 GPU in space and represents a decisive step toward the creation of large-scale orbital data centres designed to meet the planet’s soaring demand for AI. – https://dig.watch/updates/starcloud-launches-data-centres-into-space – https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/starcloud/
Meta expands AI infrastructure with sustainable data centre in El Paso
(DigWatch – 16 October 2025) The US tech giant, Meta, has begun construction on a new AI-optimised data centre in El Paso, Texas, designed to scale up to 1GW and power the company’s expanding AI ambitions. The 29th in Meta’s global network, the site will support the next generation of AI models, underpinning technologies such as smart glasses, AI assistants, and real-time translation tools. – https://dig.watch/updates/meta-expands-ai-infrastructure-with-sustainable-data-centre-in-el-paso – https://about.fb.com/news/2025/10/metas-new-ai-optimized-data-center-el-paso/
SenseTime and Cambricon strengthen cooperation for China’s AI future
(DigWatch – 16 October 2025) SenseTime and Cambricon Technologies have entered a strategic cooperation agreement to jointly develop an open and mutually beneficial AI ecosystem in China. The partnership will focus on software-hardware integration, vertical industry innovation, and the globalisation of AI technologies. By combining SenseTime’s strengths in large model R&D, AI infrastructure, and industrial applications with Cambricon’s expertise in intelligent computing chips and high-performance hardware, the collaboration supports the national ‘AI+’ strategy of China. – https://dig.watch/updates/sensetime-and-cambricon-strengthen-cooperation-for-chinas-ai-future – https://www.sensetime.com/en/news-detail/51170164?categoryId=1072
Rare-Earth Minerals And Quantum Computing: How Secure Are The Supply Chains?
(Quantum Insider – 15 October 2025) Rare-earth elements such as ytterbium, erbium, europium, neodymium and yttrium form the hidden foundation of quantum technologies, enabling qubits, quantum memories, and photonic connections. China dominates the global rare-earth supply chain, controlling about 90 percent of refining capacity and the majority of downstream magnet manufacturing. Western governments are investing in new refining and recycling projects, but experts say diversifying processing—not just mining—remains the critical step to reduce dependency. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/10/15/rare-earth-minerals-and-quantum-computing-how-secure-are-the-supply-chains/
Security and Surveillance
Microsoft warns of a 32% surge in identity hacks, mainly driven by stolen passwords
(Jonathan Greig – The Record – 16 October 2025) Hackers are increasingly using stolen identities to breach organizations, impersonating employees or contractors before stealing data and launching ransomware, according to new research. Microsoft’s 85-page Digital Defense Report 2025 covers dozens of pertinent cybersecurity issues including ransomware, nation-state attacks, AI and more. But the company’s researchers said the one statistic that stood out more than most others was the continued success of password attacks that allowed hackers to take over victim accounts. – https://therecord.media/microsoft-warns-of-surge-identity-hacks-passwords – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/microsoft-process-100-trillion/
North Korean hackers seen using blockchain to hide crypto-stealing malware
(Daryna Antoniuk – The Record – 16 October 2025) North Korean state-linked hackers have begun using public blockchains to deliver malware and steal cryptocurrency, in what researchers say is the first known case of a nation-state adopting the technique. Google security researchers said on Thursday that they observed a Pyongyang-backed hacking group, tracked as UNC5342, deploying a method known as EtherHiding — a way of embedding malicious code inside smart contracts on decentralized networks such as Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain. – https://therecord.media/north-korean-hackers-using-blockchain-hiding-malware
Europe’s borders go digital. Launched on 12 October 2025, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) has already registered over 300 000 movements
(Europol – 16 October 2025) The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the new IT system that digitally records the entry and exit of non-EU nationals travelling to 29 European countries for short stays. The system has already recorded over 300 000 movements, with the number continuing to grow daily. The EES began implementation on 12 October 2025 and will be fully operational by 10 April 2026. The EES is one of the world’s most modern border management systems, developed and managed by eu-LISA – the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. By collecting passport data, along with the dates and places of entry into and exit from European countries, as well as biometric data (facial images and fingerprints) and any refusals of entry, border checks will become faster and more efficient. The collection of biometric data will also improve the accuracy of identity verification. In addition, the new system will also help identify visa overstayers and prevent identity fraud. – https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/europe%E2%80%99s-borders-go-digital
Unproven Vape Detection Tech Expands Surveillance in Schools, Threatening Privacy
(Todd Whitney, Yung-Hsuan Wu, Greta Byrum, Eloïse Gabadou, Clarence Okoh, Marika Pfefferkorn – Tech Policy Press – 16 October 2025) Concerns about student safety are front of mind this fall across the United States. Faced with managing an expanding pool of school-related risks from gun violence to disease outbreaks — and dealing with political cross-currents including existential threats to public education — many superintendents and administrators are turning to AI-powered technologies, even in the absence of coherent safety standards and regulations. Meanwhile, the White House and the tech industry are touting AI as the future of the education system. Backed by venture capital and valued at $146 billion globally in 2023 with a growth rate of 14% annually, the educational technology (“edtech”) market offers plug-and-play answers not only to learning challenges but also complex school safety and health dilemmas. Increasingly, the role of AI in education includes not only learning platforms but rights-impacting surveillance devices, applications, and systems – leading to cameras, sensors, and other data collection and processing systems littering school hallways, grounds, classrooms, and yes, even bathrooms. – https://www.techpolicy.press/unproven-vape-detection-tech-expands-surveillance-in-schools-threatening-privacy/
Over 23 Million Victims Hit by Data Breaches in Q3
(Phil Muncaster – 16 October 2025) The number of US corporate data breaches and downstream victims appeared to slow in the third quarter of the year, according to new data from the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). The nonprofit tracked publicly reported breaches nationwide to compile its Q3 2025 Data Breach Analysis. It revealed that there were 835 separate data compromises in the period, resulting in around 23 million victim notices. That’s down somewhat on the first half of the year, when there were 1732 incidents, leading to over 165.7 million breach notifications. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/over-23-million-victims-data/
F5 Reveals Nation State Breach and Urges Immediate Patching
(Phil Muncaster – Infosecurity Magazine – 16 October 2025) The US government has urged federal agencies to take immediate action after security vendor F5 revealed it has been breached by a nation-state actor. The application security specialist informed its customers about the breach on October 15, despite making the discovery back in August. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/f5-nation-state-breach-immediate/
Ring to partner with Flock, giving law enforcement easier access to home security camera footage
(Suzanne Smalley – The Record – 16 October 2025) Surveillance camera company Ring announced it will begin sharing footage with Flock Safety, the manufacturer of automated license plate reader cameras and other police surveillance technologies. Millions of Americans own Ring cameras, which typically capture footage outside of homes. Under the new partnership, law enforcement agencies which use Flock Safety products can ask Ring owners to provide images for “evidence collection and investigative work,” according to a blog post on the Ring website. – https://therecord.media/ring-partner-flock-law-enforcement-video – https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-expands-community-requests-to-additional-community-safety-partners/
Dairy Farmers of America confirms June cyberattack leaked personal data
(Jonathan Greig – The Record – 16 October 2025) The Dairy Farmers of America said cybercriminals breached company systems in June, gaining access to the information of employees and members of the cooperative. The organization previously confirmed to the outlet Dairy Herd Management in June that multiple manufacturing plants within its network were dealing with a ransomware attack. A notorious ransomware gang took credit for the incident days after the statement was released. – https://therecord.media/dairy-farm-leaked-info-ransomware
Qilin Ransomware announced new victims
(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs – 15 October 2025) Resecurity’s new report details how the Qilin RaaS group relies on global bulletproof hosting networks to support its extortion operations – https://securityaffairs.com/183447/security/qilin-ransomware-announced-new-victims.html
Defence, Military, and Warfare
Embedded Human Judgment in the Age of Autonomous Weapons
(Lena Trabucco – Just Security – 16 October 2025) Few phrases dominate debates about autonomous weapons more than “meaningful human control.” It has become a central topic in diplomatic forums, academic discussions, and civil society campaigns. States negotiating at the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on lethal autonomous weapons (GGE LAWS) have invoked the phrase regularly, and advocates see it as the minimum requirement for regulating AI-enabled autonomous weapons systems (AWS). Despite its prominence and controversy, the phrase is often considered vague, impractical, and misunderstood. What exactly does meaningful control mean? What is the threshold for meaningful? What does control look like and entail? And, importantly, who exercises it, when, and under what limits? – https://www.justsecurity.org/121345/embedded-human-judgment-autonomous-weapons/
1,700 miles in minutes: US Army to field first hypersonic missile battery in December
(Interesting Engineering – 16 October 2025) The US Army’s first hypersonic missile unit will finally receive a full complement of live rounds for its “Dark Eagle” weapons system by the end of this year, marking a key milestone in America’s race to field operational hypersonic capabilities. Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, the Army’s program executive officer for missiles and space, told Defense News that the final batch of missiles for the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington, will be delivered by December. – https://interestingengineering.com/military/us-field-first-hypersonic-battery
Frontiers
Scaling a cell ‘language’ model yields new immunotherapy leads
(DigWatch – 16 October 2025) Yale University and Google unveiled Cell2Sentence-Scale 27B, a 27-billion-parameter model built on Gemma to decode the ‘language’ of cells. The system generated a novel hypothesis about cancer cell behaviour, and CEO Sundar Pichai called it ‘an exciting milestone’ for AI in science. The work targets a core problem in immunotherapy: many tumours are ‘cold’ and evade immune detection. Making them visible requires boosting antigen presentation. C2S-Scale sought a ‘conditional amplifier’ drug that boosts signals only in immune-context-positive settings. – https://dig.watch/updates/scaling-a-cell-language-model-yields-new-immunotherapy-leads – https://blog.google/technology/ai/google-gemma-ai-cancer-therapy-discovery/
Google DeepMind’s new AI helps find potential breakthrough in cancer treatment
(Interesting Engineering – 16 October 2025) In a major leap for cancer research, Google DeepMind and Yale University have unveiled an artificial intelligence system capable of uncovering new biological insights directly validated in living cells. Announced on October 15, the new foundation model, C2S-Scale 27B, represents one of the largest and most sophisticated AI systems ever developed to study cellular behavior. Built on Google’s Gemma family of models, it has generated a groundbreaking hypothesis about how cancer cells interact with the immune system—one that could reshape how future therapies are designed. – https://interestingengineering.com/health/google-deepmind-new-ai-cancer-treatment
World’s first connected time crystal opens door to new quantum computing era
(Interesting Engineering – 16 October 2025) European scientists have, for the first time, connected a time crystal to another system external to itself, which could one day help power quantum computers of the future. The scientists at Aalto University in Espoo, Finland, have published a study on the topic. Academy Research Fellow Jere Mäkinen first authored it. The study describes the process of the team turning the time crystal into an optomechanical system that can be used to develop extremely accurate sensors or memory systems for quantum computers. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/time-crystal-quantum-computing-europe
Inside U.S. Center for Quantum Technologies: Study Shows How Industry And Academia Are Collaborating to Unleash Quantum Tech
(Quantum Insider – 16 October 2025) The U.S. Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT), a multi-university consortium supported by the National Science Foundation, is connecting academia, industry, and government to accelerate quantum research and commercialization. According to the paper, CQT brings together Purdue University, Indiana University, and the University of Notre Dame with 12 corporate and federal partners to advance research in quantum computing, sensing, communications, and workforce development. Researchers affiliated with the consortium are developing quantum–AI hybrid algorithms, studying quantum materials and photonic systems, and expanding educational programs to prepare a quantum-ready workforce while seeking to grow industry participation. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/10/16/inside-u-s-center-for-quantum-technologies-study-shows-how-industry-and-academia-are-collaborating-to-unleash-quantum-tech/
BTQ Technologies Announces Quantum-Safe Bitcoin Using NIST Standardized Post-Quantum Cryptography
(Quantum Insider – 16 October 2025) BTQ Technologies announced the first successful demonstration of a quantum-resistant Bitcoin implementation using NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptography. The company’s Bitcoin Quantum Core Release 0.2 replaces vulnerable ECDSA signatures with ML-DSA, protecting the $2.4 trillion Bitcoin market from quantum attacks projected to emerge by 2030. BTQ plans to secure the entire Bitcoin network by 2026 through staged deployments, institutional pilots, and the launch of a quantum-safe mainnet. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/10/16/btq-technologies-announces-quantum-safe-bitcoin-using-nist-standardized-post-quantum-cryptography/
OVHcloud’s AI-powered Cooling Balances Performance And Environmental Responsibility in Data Centers
(AI Insider – 16 October 2025) OVHcloud has unveiled a new AI-driven cooling architecture for its data centers that reduces water use by up to 30% and cooling electricity consumption by up to 50%. The redesigned Smart Racks use a single closed-loop water circuit with compact cooling modules and 30+ sensors to autonomously adjust cooling in real time based on workload and environmental conditions. Predictive AI algorithms further optimize pump speed, fan operation, and valve settings to balance power, water, and noise constraints, advancing OVHcloud’s sustainable cloud strategy. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/16/ovhclouds-ai-powered-cooling-balances-performance-and-environmental-responsibility-in-data-centers/
Oath Surgical Secures $24M to Build the First Surgeon-Owned, AI-Powered Surgical System
(AI Insider – 16 October 2025) Oath Surgical raised $24M in an oversubscribed Series A led by FPV Ventures with participation from McKesson Ventures and others, bringing total funding to $35M to scale its AI-powered surgical network and expand into oncology and new specialties. Its flagship platform, OathOS, replaces fragmented surgical systems with an all-in-one AI operating platform that automates workflows, boosts efficiency, and improves safety from referral to recovery. Oath’s surgeon-led, value-based model has achieved standout results, including up to 80% cost savings, a 0.25% complication rate, and 98.5% patient satisfaction, positioning it for rapid national expansion through 2025. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/16/oath-surgical-secures-24m-to-build-the-first-surgeon-owned-ai-powered-surgical-system/
Hipp Health Raises $6.2M in Seed Funding
(AI Insider – 16 October 2025) Hipp Health raised $6.2M in seed funding led by RTP Global, with participation from Swift Ventures, Rackhouse Venture Capital, and Difference Partners, to advance its AI-native compliance and automation platform for behavioral health practices. The platform automates documentation, scheduling, billing, and analytics, helping clinics achieve up to a 90% reduction in outstanding claims while easing growing Medicaid compliance pressures. Founded by David Connors and Faaez Ul Haq in 2024, Hipp Health addresses the rising administrative burden in U.S. behavioral healthcare amid increasing diagnoses and regulatory demands. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/16/hipp-health-raises-6-2m-in-seed-funding/
Counsel Health Raises $25 Million to Launch Physician-Supervised AI Front Door for Healthcare
(AI Insider – 16 October 2025) Counsel Health raised $25 million in Series A funding led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and GV to launch a physician-supervised AI care platform. The company’s model combines AI with licensed physician oversight, achieving a 96% issue resolution rate, 2-minute physician response times, and $381 in annual savings per engaged member. Counsel plans to expand its physician network, invest further in AI, and grow partnerships with payers, employers, and provider groups, already serving over 100,000 members nationwide. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/16/counsel-health-raises-25-million-to-launch-physician-supervised-ai-front-door-for-healthcare/
Uniting Energy to Decode Digital: AUTOMA 2025
(AI Insider – 16 October 2025) The Oil and Gas Automation and Digitalisation Congress (AUTOMA) 2025 in Amsterdam showcased AI-powered transformation, smart infrastructure, digital decarbonisation, and autonomous operations across the energy sector. The event featured over 350 professionals, 11 sessions, and 288 B2B meetings, with leading companies presenting advances in hybrid-AI digital twins, IoT, and real-time monitoring for energy efficiency and carbon reduction. Discussions highlighted digital twins, AI integration, and clean hydrogen as key enablers of a net-zero transition, setting the stage for AUTOMA 2026 to focus on practical automation strategies. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/10/16/uniting-energy-to-decode-digital-automa-2025/
Swiss Quantum Technology SA Signs €10 Million Agreement to Deploy D-Wave Advantage2 Annealing Quantum Computer
(Quantum Insider – 15 October 2025) D-Wave Quantum Inc. has signed a €10 million agreement with Swiss Quantum Technology SA to deploy an Advantage2 annealing quantum computer in Europe. The 4,400+ qubit Advantage2 system will support Italy’s Q-Alliance initiative and be accessible through D-Wave’s Leap cloud platform. Both companies said the deployment aims to expand global access to quantum computing while advancing energy-efficient, production-grade quantum applications. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/10/15/swiss-quantum-technology-sa-signs-e10-million-agreement-to-deploy-d-wave-advantage2-annealing-quantum-computer/
LuxQuanta Secures €8 Million in Series A Funding to Accelerate Global Deployment of Quantum-Safe Cybersecurity Solutions
(Quantum Insider – 15 October 2025) LuxQuanta has closed an €8 million Series A funding round led by Big Sur Ventures and A&G, with participation from GMV, Wayra, the EIC Fund, Corning, and GTD to accelerate its growth in quantum cybersecurity. The funding will enable LuxQuanta to scale production, expand globally, and advance research in Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution (CV-QKD) and integrated photonics to strengthen quantum-safe communications. Founded as an ICFO spin-off in 2021, LuxQuanta has achieved multi-million-euro sales across Europe and international markets, positioning itself as a key player in securing critical communications against emerging quantum threats. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/10/15/luxquanta-secures-e8-million-in-series-a-funding-to-accelerate-global-deployment-of-quantum-safe-cybersecurity-solutions/
SemiQon’s Cryogenic Chip Technology For Quantum Computing And Space Applications Receives Award From EARTO
(Quantum Insider – 15 October 2025) SemiQon and VTT received EARTO’s “Impact Expected” award for their cryogenic CMOS chip innovation, which enables advanced CMOS functionality at ultra-low temperatures for use in quantum computing and space applications. The Cryo-CMOS chip offers up to 90% lower power consumption for space systems and can reduce quantum computer infrastructure costs by up to 30% in the short term and over tenfold in the long term. Originally developed at VTT and now produced at European facilities, the technology strengthens Europe’s semiconductor autonomy and supports sustainable computing by potentially saving $20–30 billion annually in global cooling costs. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/10/15/semiqons-cryogenic-chip-technology-for-quantum-computing-and-space-applications-receives-award-from-earto/