Governance/Regulation/Legislation

UN Global Mechanism on ICT security advances work, shifts focus to implementation

(DigWatch) The United Nations Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible state behaviour in the use of ICTs held its second meeting, during which member states conducted a general exchange of views on the work of the newly established permanent forum. The session, chaired by Ambassador Egriselda López of El Salvador, focused on agenda item four, during which 61 member states and three intergovernmental organisations delivered statements on priorities for the mechanism. – https://dig.watch/updates/un-global-mechanism-on-ict-security-advances-work-shifts-focus-to-implementation

ILO and World Bank paper says GenAI may deepen labour-market divides

(DigWatch) A joint working paper by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank says generative AI is likely to reshape labour markets globally, but not in the same way across countries. The paper finds that advanced economies face greater overall exposure, while developing economies may see disruption arrive faster than productivity gains due to weaker digital infrastructure and differences in how work is organised. Prepared as a background study for the World Development Report 2026, the paper examines labour-market exposure to GenAI across 135 countries, covering about two-thirds of global employment. According to the study, digital infrastructure and job-task composition are among the main factors shaping the distribution of risks and opportunities between advanced and developing economies. – https://dig.watch/updates/genai-labour-markets-ilo-world-bank

UNESCO initiative drives new digital platform governance frameworks in South Asia

(DigWatch) South Asia is strengthening digital platform governance through a rights-based approach shaped by regional cooperation and international guidance. A workshop led by UNESCO brought together policymakers, civil society and academics to align platform regulation with principles of freedom of expression and access to information. – https://dig.watch/updates/unesco-initiative-drives-new-digital-platform-governance-frameworks-in-south-asia

EU funding platform drives competitiveness in strategic technologies

(DigWatch) The European Commission has highlighted the growing impact of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), which has mobilised €29 billion to strengthen innovation and competitiveness across key sectors. An initiative that supports the development and manufacturing of critical technologies, reinforcing the Union’s strategic autonomy. Funding has been directed toward digital and deep-tech innovation, clean technologies, biotechnology and defence, combining resources from EU programmes and Member States. – https://dig.watch/updates/eu-funding-platform-drives-competitiveness-in-strategic-technologies

EPO strengthens industry collaboration on European patent innovation

(DigWatch) The European Patent Office (EPO) has reinforced cooperation with industry stakeholders through discussions with the German Association of Industry IP Experts, focusing on strengthening the European patent system and supporting innovation. A meeting that brought together representatives from major industrial actors to align priorities and explore future collaboration. Discussions between the EPO and the stakeholders centred on enhancing technology transfer, empowering startups and fostering economic growth across Europe. – https://dig.watch/updates/epo-strengthens-industry-collaboration-on-european-patent-innovation

Funding boost for UK cities innovation sector

(DigWatch) The UK government has pledged up to £20 million to boost the creative technology sector in the Tay Cities Region. The investment aims to support innovation in areas such as video games and virtual reality while driving economic growth. Funding will help develop local talent and accelerate projects from early research to commercial products. The initiative focuses on strengthening collaboration between businesses, researchers and public bodies to expand opportunities across the region. – https://dig.watch/updates/funding-boost-for-uk-cities-innovation-sector

Breaking the deadlock on AI governance

(Chatham House) International AI governance is at risk of failure. Rapid geopolitical change, institutional weakness and asymmetries between the public and private sectors appear to make cooperation on AI near impossible. Proponents of inclusive, effective and global AI governance must now confront a difficult truth: that rapid progress towards global AI governance may only become politically feasible in the event of a crisis, when the costs of inaction become too great. In this research paper, we do not claim that a crisis is desirable, but that the response to an AI crisis could lead to rapid, binding and international governance change if those involved are well prepared. Focusing investment in the right areas now will increase the chances of a productive and robust response if a crisis does come. The research paper explains the reasons for the current deadlock and recommends actions to governments, companies and international institutions on how to respond drawing on three previous crises in other sectors for examples of best practice and cautionary tales. The case studies indicate that crisis-driven governance works best when it brings technical expertise to the fore, and is based on pre-existing institutions and monitoring infrastructure. Attempts to build these elements from scratch post-crisis are likely to fail. –  https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/03/breaking-deadlock-ai-governance

Geostrategies

AI capacity partnership links UNDP and Intel in Lesotho and Liberia

(DigWatch) The United Nations Development Programme and Intel are working together to expand AI training and digital skills in Lesotho and Liberia under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2025. According to UNDP, the partnership is intended to combine global technical expertise with local leadership as both countries pursue broader digital transformation goals. Lesotho and Liberia are approaching the issue from different starting points.UNDP says Lesotho is aiming for universal digital access by 2030, while Liberia is investing in AI in higher education and governance systems to prepare for the future digital economy. Through its partnership with Intel, the UN’s global development network says it is helping close gaps in AI literacy and capacity-building so communities can better understand how AI may affect everyday life. – https://dig.watch/updates/undp-intel-ai-capacity-lesotho-liberia

UK-Philippines partnership advances digital education and EdTech

(DigWatch) The British Embassy in Manila and the Philippines’ Department of Education have expanded cooperation to advance EdTech and digital learning, focusing on inclusive and evidence-based approaches instead of fragmented implementation. A partnership that aims to strengthen foundational learning while supporting long-term resilience in the education system. – https://dig.watch/updates/uk-philippines-partnership-advances-digital-education-and-edtech

Security and Surveillance

Nearly half a Million mobile customers of Lloyds Banking Group affected by security incident

(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) A faulty software update at Lloyds Banking Group exposed transaction details of nearly 450,000 mobile banking users on March 12. The issue caused some customers to see other users’ account activity within the app, prompting the bank to disclose a data security incident affecting current account information. According to Lloyds Banking Group, transactions were exposed only if users accessed their transaction lists at nearly the same time. A customer would need to view their own transactions within fractions of a second of another user to see or be seen. The faulty update, rolled out on March 12 at 03:28, was fixed by 08:08 and has not recurred. Exposed data could include amounts, dates, payment identifiers, and potentially National Insurance numbers. – https://securityaffairs.com/190213/data-breach/nearly-half-a-million-mobile-customers-of-lloyds-banking-group-affected-by-a-security-incident.html

Dutch Ministry of Finance takes treasury systems offline amid cyber incident investigation

(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) The Dutch Ministry of Finance took parts of its infrastructure offline, including the treasury banking portal, after detecting a cyberattack two weeks earlier. The Dutch Ministry of Finance disclosed a cyberattack detected on March 19 after a third-party alert. Attackers breached some internal systems, the incident impacted a “portion of the employees”. The security breach is currently under investigation. Authorities clarified that systems used to manage tax operations were not impacted, limiting the scope of disruption. – https://securityaffairs.com/190204/hacking/dutch-ministry-of-finance-takes-treasury-systems-offline-amid-cyber-incident-investigation.html

Qilin Ransomware allegedly breached chemical manufacturer giant Dow Inc

(DigWatch) Qilin Ransomware group allegedly breached the chemical manufacturing giant Dow Inc. The cybercrime group added the company to its Tor data leak site, but at this time, it has not published any proof of the hack. Dow Inc. is a global chemical manufacturing giant headquartered in the United States. The company employs approximately 36,000 people worldwide and generates annual revenues of around $40 billion. It operates in more than 160 countries, supplying advanced materials, chemicals, and plastics to industries including packaging, infrastructure, mobility, and consumer applications. – https://securityaffairs.com/190186/cyber-crime/qilin-ransomware-allegedly-breached-chemical-manufacturer-giant-dow-inc.html

New quantum threat could weaken cryptocurrency encryption systems

(DigWatch) A new warning from Google says advances in quantum computing could weaken widely used cryptographic systems protecting cryptocurrencies and digital infrastructure. A new whitepaper suggests future quantum machines may need fewer resources than previously estimated to break elliptic curve cryptography. The research focuses on the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem, which underpins much of today’s blockchain security. Findings suggest quantum algorithms like Shor’s could run with fewer qubits and gates, increasing concerns about cryptographic resilience. – https://dig.watch/updates/quantum-threat-weaken-cryptocurrency-encryption

Frontiers

MIT uses AI to detect atomic material defects

(DigWatch) Researchers at MIT have developed an AI model capable of identifying and quantifying atomic-scale defects in materials without damaging them. The approach aims to improve the design and performance of semiconductors, batteries, and solar cells. The model analyses data from neutron-scattering experiments and can detect up to six different point defects simultaneously. Trained on 2,000 semiconductor materials, it analyses atomic vibrations to estimate defect types and concentrations that are hard for traditional methods to measure. – https://dig.watch/updates/mit-uses-ai-to-detect-atomic-material-defects

Malta launches SMART Food project with AI and blockchain

(DigWatch) Malta is advancing the SMART Food project to strengthen the agri-food sector. The initiative is a Malta-Italy partnership funded under the Interreg programme. Minister Anton Refalo said the project aims to create a reliable and technologically advanced food system. A digital platform using AI and blockchain will provide real-time information on products from production to consumption. – https://dig.watch/updates/malta-launches-smart-food-project-with-ai-and-blockchain