Governance/Regulation/Legislation

UN experts focus on human-centred AI governance

(DigWatch) UN’s Independent International Scientific Panel on AI has begun work on a global study examining how AI is reshaping economies and societies. The 40-member panel aims to assess AI’s risks and opportunities, with a focus on maintaining human oversight in decision-making. Human-centred design stands at the core of the panel’s approach. Members are exploring how AI can complement rather than replace human capabilities, an idea often described as ‘augmented intelligence’. – https://dig.watch/updates/un-experts-focus-on-human-centred-ai-governance

Minnesota weighs AI free speech limits

(DigWatch) The National Constitution Center reports that Minnesota lawmakers are considering a constitutional amendment to exclude AI systems from free speech protections. The proposal would clarify that such rights apply to people, not machines. According to the National Constitution Center, the amendment would add language stating that AI does not have the right to speak, write or publish sentiments freely. Human free speech protections would remain unchanged under the proposal. – https://dig.watch/updates/minnesota-weighs-ai-free-speech-limits

International Organization for Migration conference in Ankara addresses migrant digital identity gaps

(DigWatch) More than 70 global leaders and experts gathered in Ankara on 14–15 April to address gaps in legal identity for migrants, a key barrier to access to services and protection. The conference was convened by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and brought together governments, international organisations, academia, and the private sector to discuss practical solutions. Legal identity was highlighted as a fundamental human right and a critical enabler of safe and regular migration, yet millions of migrants still lack recognised documentation. Participants examined how digital identity systems, including biometrics and mobile tools, could improve access while ensuring security, inclusion, and the protection of rights. – https://dig.watch/updates/migrant-digital-identity-gaps-in-ankara

UK strengthens AI healthcare governance to ensure safety, equity and system-wide evaluation

(DigWatch) The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the UK has outlined priorities for regulating AI in healthcare, focusing on safety, effectiveness and public trust. An approach that includes strengthening pre-market evaluation and post-market surveillance, particularly for adaptive systems operating in real-world settings. – https://dig.watch/updates/uk-strengthens-ai-healthcare-governance-to-ensure-safety-equity-and-system-wide-evaluation

Russia advances draft AI regulation framework

(DigWatch) Russia has moved forward with a draft law outlining the fundamentals of state regulation of AI technologies, with the public consultation closed on 15 April 2026. The proposal outlines a structured compliance framework to tighten oversight of AI system development and deployment nationwide. Under the draft, AI system operators would be required to test their systems to identify potential uses that could violate Russian legislation. – https://dig.watch/updates/russia-advances-draft-ai-regulation-framework

South Korea leads AI patents per capita while strengthening models and policy frameworks

(DigWatch) According to the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI‘s AI Index 2026 report, South Korea leads globally in AI patents per capita, reflecting a high concentration of innovation relative to population size. Such a measure highlights the country’s strong research and development intensity in emerging technologies. – https://dig.watch/updates/south-korea-leads-ai-patents-per-capita-while-strengthening-models-and-policy-frameworks

Brazil links AI and technical standards in competitiveness push

(DigWatch) Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade said the integration of AI and technical standardisation should be treated as a strategic issue for the country’s competitiveness. The position was presented during a meeting organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, which brought together public bodies and specialists to discuss AI governance and its effects on the productive sector and on the state. – https://dig.watch/updates/brazil-ai-technical-standards-competitiveness

Pakistan approves AI education authority and virtual schools

(DigWatch) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi approved the establishment of an AI Education Authority during a meeting on education reforms. The meeting reviewed progress on virtual schools and AI-based teaching systems across the province. The initiative includes plans to launch Pakistan’s first public sector virtual school and an AI Teacher programme. Authorities were directed to complete preparations to operationalise the new body. – https://dig.watch/updates/pakistan-approves-ai-education-authority-and-virtual-schools

Security and Surveillance

Automotive Ransomware Attacks Double in a Year

(Phil Muncaster – Infosecurity Magazine) Ransomware is now the fastest growing and most disruptive cyber threat facing the automotive sector, accounting for 44% of attacks on carmakers in 2025, according to Halcyon. The security vendor crunched data from multiple sources to compile a new report on the industry. It claimed that ransomware attacks on carmakers more than doubled in 2025. “The surge in attacks reflects a calculated shift by cybercriminals who increasingly view the automotive industry as a lucrative target, driven by its rapid adoption of connected technology, growing reliance on cloud services, and a sprawling network of third-party suppliers that broadens criminals’ opportunities to strike,” the report noted. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/automotive-ransomware-attacks/

From clinics to government: UAC-0247 expands cyber campaign across Ukraine

(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) CERT-UA has revealed a cyber campaign by the threat actor UAC-0247 targeting Ukrainian government entities and municipal healthcare facilities, including clinics and emergency hospitals. The operation between March and April 2026, used malware designed to steal sensitive data from Chromium-based browsers and WhatsApp. The origin of the threat actor remains unclear, raising concerns about ongoing espionage risks. The attack begins with a phishing email posing as a humanitarian aid proposal, prompting the victim to click a link. To appear credible, attackers may use AI-generated fake websites or exploit legitimate sites vulnerable to XSS attacks. – https://securityaffairs.com/190875/apt/from-clinics-to-government-uac-0247-expands-cyber-campaign-across-ukraine.html

Sweden reports cyberattack attempt on heating plant amid rising energy threats

(Pierluigi Paganini – Security Affairs) Sweden has blamed a pro-Russian group linked to Russian intelligence for a failed cyberattack on a heating plant in 2025. Officials say the incident is part of a broader wave of attacks targeting critical infrastructure across Europe. Similar operations have been reported in Poland, affecting energy systems serving hundreds of thousands of people, raising concerns over escalating cyber threats tied to Russia. Sweden has publicly confirmed for the first time a failed cyberattack on a heating plant in the west, according to Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin. The Minister linked the incident to a wave of similar attacks that targeted Poland, where energy facilities serving 500,000 people were hit, with evidence pointing to Russian-linked hackers. – https://securityaffairs.com/190869/intelligence/sweden-reports-cyberattack-attempt-on-heating-plant-amid-rising-energy-threats.html

Sussex police deploy AI cameras to detect traffic offences

(DigWatch) Sussex Police has introduced AI cameras to detect drivers using mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts. The technology is being deployed to support enforcement and reduce road safety risks. The rollout follows a 2024 trial by National Highways in Sussex, during which 458 offences were detected in 7 days. Most cases involved seatbelt violations, while others included mobile phone use or both offences combined. – https://dig.watch/updates/sussex-police-deploy-ai-cameras-to-detect-traffic-offences

Frontiers

Romania initiates consortium selection for Black Sea AI gigafactory project

(DigWatch) The Ministry of Energy of Romania and the Ministry of Finance of Romania have launched an expression of interest process to select a consortium leader for the Black Sea AI Gigafactory project. The announcement marks a new step in developing large-scale AI infrastructure. According to the Ministry of Energy of Romania, the selected leader will be responsible for structuring, developing and implementing the project. The process aims to identify partners with strong financial capacity and relevant technical expertise. – https://dig.watch/updates/romania-initiates-consortium-selection-for-black-sea-ai-gigafactory-project