Governance, Legislation, and Geostrategies
The AI Workforce: What LinkedIn data reveals about ‘AI Talent’ trends in OECD.AI’s live data
(Rosie Hood – OECD.AI – 22 May 2025) LinkedIn’s Data for Impact programme’s collaboration with the OECD.AI Policy Observatory brings together the latest LinkedIn data on AI workforce trends to provide policymakers with information to understand the AI ecosystem better and make evidence-based decisions. LinkedIn’s more than one billion members represent an economic graph that is a granular representation of the global economy updated in real time. While administrative systems can lag in updating taxonomies on AI occupations and skills, LinkedIn’s data identifies the latest trends in AI and the labour market. LinkedIn’s latest methodology considers a member as AI engineering talent if they have explicitly added at least two AI Engineering Skills (see list below) – such as model training, AI agents, or large language models – to their profile and/or they are or have been employed in an AI job like an AI engineer. By capturing occupational and skills components, this refined definition represents the wider AI workforce more clearly and incorporates ongoing efforts to upskill and utilise AI across multiple sectors. – https://oecd.ai/en/wonk/ai-workforce-what-linkedin-data-reveals-about-ai-talent-trends-in-oecd-ai-live-data
Judges Shouldn’t Rely on AI for the Ordinary Meaning of Text
(Justin Curl, Peter Henderson, Kart Kandula, Faiz Surani – Lawfare – 22 May 2025) Judges are debating how large language models (LLMs) should fit into judicial work. One popular idea is to consult LLMs for the “ordinary meaning” of text, a key issue in statutory interpretation. At first glance, this may seem promising: These models, trained on massive amounts of human language, should reflect everyday usage. Several critiques, however, have already highlighted technological flaws with this conception, including inaccuracies introduced by nonrepresentative training data and privacy risks posed by use of third-party artificial intelligence (AI) services. But valid as these concerns are, they obscure a more fundamental issue: LLMs embody the discretionary choices of their creators, not the median of human language. Their responses are controlled by private entities, each with their own economic interests and ideological commitments. LLMs are powerful tools that will likely have many applications in the judiciary—for instance, retrieving historical materials relevant to determining meaning, or assisting with legal drafting. But they are not themselves neutral arbiters of ordinary meaning, and judges should not treat them as such. Relying on models in this way risks delegating core interpretive functions to actors with incentives to manipulate judicial outcomes. This transfer of influence to unaccountable private interests represents not merely a technical challenge requiring judicial caution, but a structural incompatibility with the judicial role. – https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/judges-shouldn-t-rely-on-ai-for-the-ordinary-meaning-of-text
BRICS conclude Understanding on Data Economy Governance
(Digital Watch Observatory – 22 May 2025) Trade Ministers from BRICS countries convened in Brasília to exchange views on trade and investment challenges. They issued a Joint Declaration, expressing strong support to the multilateral trading system centred on the WTO, and emphasising the need to strengthen it against protectionist measures and fragmentation. The Ministers approved the BRICS Declaration on WTO Reform and Strengthening of the Multilateral Trading System (Annex I of the Joint Declaration), expressing serious concerns about rising unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures inconsistent with WTO rules. A significant outcome was the approval of the BRICS Data Economy Governance Understanding (Annex II). This document acknowledges the key role of data for economic growth, innovation, and public governance, while also noting the challenges raised by lack of statistical data and regulatory fragmentation, hindering developing countries’ integration into the global digital economy. – https://dig.watch/updates/brics-concludes-understanding-on-data-economy-governance
HBKU Launches Qatar’s First Quantum Computing Laboratory Under QC2 Initiative
(Quantum Insider – 22 May 2025) Hamad Bin Khalifa University launched Qatar’s first quantum computing lab under the Qatar Center for Quantum Computing, supported by a $10 million grant from the Ministry of Defence. The lab will focus on applied research in quantum algorithms, error correction, cryptography, and hardware benchmarking to advance quantum information science. Led by Dr. Saif Al-Kuwari, the lab is intended to develop local expertise and support national applications in sectors such as energy, cybersecurity, and transportation. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/05/22/hbku-launches-qatars-first-quantum-computing-laboratory-under-qc2-initiative/
Taiwan targets Facebook scam ads with new penalties
(Digital Watch Observatory – 22 May 2025) Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs plans to impose penalties on Meta for failing to enforce real-name verification on Facebook ads, according to Minister Huang Yen-nan. The move follows a recent meeting with law enforcement and growing concerns over scam-related losses. A report from CommonWealth Magazine found Taiwanese victims lose NT$400 million (US$13 million) daily to scams, with 70% of losses tied to Facebook. Facebook has been the top scam-linked platform for two years, with over 60% of users reporting exposure to fraudulent content. – https://dig.watch/updates/taiwan-targets-facebook-scam-ads-with-new-penalties
Pakistan sets up digital asset authority
(Digital Watch Observatory – 22 May 2025) Pakistan has formed a new body to regulate its growing digital asset market and embrace blockchain-based financial innovation. The Pakistan Digital Assets Authority (PDAA), backed by the Ministry of Finance, will license and oversee exchanges, custodians, wallets, stablecoins, and decentralised finance platforms. Federal finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the goal is not only to catch up but to lead the sector globally. PDAA will also tokenise national assets and government debt, and monetise excess electricity through regulated Bitcoin mining. – https://dig.watch/updates/pakistan-sets-up-digital-asset-authority
Defense, Intelligence, and Warfare
US Army upgrades Cold War missiles to hunt modern drones with new propulsion tech
(Interesting Engineering – 22 May 2025) The FIM-92 Stinger, a combat-proven Cold War-era short-range air defense missile, has been a mainstay in the US Army’s arsenal since 1981. Known for its versatility, the shoulder-fired missile operates in both surface-to-air and air-to-air roles, reaching speeds of up to Mach 2. However, its range has seen little improvement over the decades, constrained by its traditional solid-fuel rocket motor limits. In response to evolving battlefield threats, particularly the increase of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, the US Army has launched an ambitious next-generation missile propulsion initiative, codenamed Red Wasp. – https://interestingengineering.com/military/us-army-upgrades-cold-war-missiles
Porton Man: Humanoid robot to test chemical gear for US Army in real-world conditions
(Interesting Engineering – 22 May 2025) The US Army has awarded a $1.7 million contract to develop an advanced robotic mannequin system for testing protective gear against chemical warfare agents. The Porton Man Robotic Test System, modeled after a UK version, is designed to replicate the size and shape of real soldiers using data from the Anthropometric Survey of Military Personnel. The system aims to enhance gear testing accuracy and is expected to be delivered within 18 to 24 months from the contract date. During National Robotics Week, held from April 5 to 13, US Army researchers showcased cutting-edge innovations in robotics, AI, and autonomy to boost human-machine teaming between robots and soldiers. – https://interestingengineering.com/military/humanoid-robot-to-test-chemical-gear
Golden Dome creates a new missile defense bargain with US partners
(Léonie Allard and Jean-Loup Samaan – Atlantic Council – 21 May 2025) New details are emerging about the White House’s “Golden Dome” initiative, a missile-defense system intended to intercept long-range and hypersonic missiles fired at the United States. Even in its early stages, the initiative looks set to become the focal point of US missile defense policy. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced an initial $25 billion investment out of a total $175 billion to start building Golden Dome with the aim of completing it within his term. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth further laid out that Golden Dome will be a layered system, will draw from existing and future technologies as it is phased in over time, and will have an open architecture, allowing multiple companies to contribute to it. – https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/golden-dome-creates-a-new-missile-defense-bargain-with-us-partners/
Security
Experts urge stronger safeguards as jailbroken chatbots leak illegal data
(Digital Watch Observatory – 22 May 2025) Hacked AI-powered chatbots pose serious security risks by revealing illicit knowledge the models absorbed during training, according to researchers at Ben Gurion University. Their study highlights how ‘jailbroken’ large language models (LLMs) can be manipulated to produce dangerous instructions, such as how to hack networks, manufacture drugs, or carry out other illegal activities. – https://dig.watch/updates/experts-urge-stronger-safeguards-as-jailbroken-chatbots-leak-illegal-data
Asia Produces More APT Actors, as Focus Expands Globally
(Robert Lemos – Dark Reading – 21 May 2025) Advanced persistent threat (APT) actors aligned with China and North Korea now account for the majority of sophisticated attacks detected during the past two quarters, as tension in the Asia-Pacific region heats up and China increasingly flexes its muscle. While the most significant growth in attacks from the two Asian nations have focused on European targets, the Southeast Asian region has seen increases in state-backed attacks as well, with government and educational organizations among the favorite targets, according to the biannual “APT Activity Report” published by cybersecurity firm ESET. The expansion in global activity comes as more regional players are developing their own capabilities in cyber offense, with India, Taiwan, and the Philippines all seeing more attacks but developing their own capabilities as well. – https://www.darkreading.com/cyber-risk/asia-apt-actors-focus-expands-globally
New Google program targeting children with AI chatbot may violate FTC privacy rules
(Suzanne Smalley – The Record – 21 May 2025) Google’s recent launch of a program targeting its AI-powered Gemini chatbot at children under age 13 has prompted outrage from privacy and children’s rights advocates who on Wednesday told the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the effort appears to violate the agency’s privacy rule protecting children online. The tech giant recently sent emails to parents signed up for Family Link — which allows them to create Gmail accounts for their children and offers other special services — advising them that their children can engage with the chatbot on homework or in conversation to “create stories, songs, and poetry.” – https://therecord.media/new-google-children-program-gemini
Nearly 70,000 impacted by Coinbase breach involving $20 million ransom demand
(Jonathan Greig – The Record – 21 May 2025) Cryptocurrency platform Coinbase said 69,461 people had information leaked during a data breach that began in December 2024. In documents filed with regulators in Maine on Tuesday, Coinbase said the information leaked included photos of passports, government IDs, names, dates of birth, the last four digits of Social Security numbers, bank account numbers and account information including balances and transaction history. – https://therecord.media/nearly-70000-impacted-coinbase-breach
‘Deep concern’ for domestic abuse survivors as cybercriminals expected to publish confidential refuge addresses
(Alexander Martin – The Record – 21 May 2025) Sensitive information about women and girls who have survived domestic abuse is now expected to be exposed through a data extortion incident impacting the British government’s Legal Aid Agency, potentially revealing their locations to abusers and in some cases requiring them to move homes. The government confirmed the incident on Monday, saying everyone who applied for aid using the service’s online platform since 2010 is believed to be affected. – https://therecord.media/concern-domestic-survivors-breach-london
Frontiers
Quandela to Launch Belenos, Accelerating its 2030 Roadmap Toward Scalable Photonic Quantum Systems
(Quantum Insider – 22 May 2025) Quandela has launched Belenos, a 12-qubit photonic quantum computer the company says delivers 4,000 times more computing power than its 2022 predecessor. The system is available via cloud to over 1,200 users across 30 countries and will be deployed in CEA’s Très Grand Centre de Calcul supercomputing center by the end of 2025 as part of the EuroHPC/GENCI initiative. Quandela plans to double qubits again in 2026 with its next system, Canopus, targeting a 16 million-fold power increase relative to its original platform and aiming for a >40-qubit machine within three years. Belenos supports quantum machine learning and hybrid HPC-quantum applications in fields such as structural mechanics, materials science, and meteorology, with business use already representing 25% of platform activity. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/05/22/quandela-to-launch-belenos-accelerating-its-2030-roadmap-toward-scalable-photonic-quantum-systems/
Quobly Secures Over $23M to Launch Industrial Production of 100-Qubit Silicon Chip
(Quantum Insider – 22 May 2025) Quobly has secured €21 million (approximately $23.7 million) to industrialize a 100-qubit silicon-based quantum processor as part of the Q100T Project. The chip will be built on 300 mm FD-SOI wafers, aligning with standard semiconductor manufacturing processes to support large-scale production. The project builds on 15 years of research at CEA and CNRS and is supported by partnerships, including an exclusive collaboration with STMicroelectronics. Quobly intends to reach production-readiness by 2027 by moving from lab-scale demonstrations to a manufacturable, CMOS-compatible quantum platform within the France 2030 initiative. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/05/22/quobly-secures-over-23m-to-launch-industrial-production-of-100-qubit-silicon-chip/
Quantum Chemistry Gets Error-Corrected Boost from Quantinuum’s Trapped-Ion Computer
(Quantum Insider – 22 May 2025) Quantinuum researchers have demonstrated the first complete quantum chemistry simulation using quantum error correction on real hardware, showing improved performance even with added circuit complexity. The experiment used a version of quantum phase estimation to calculate the ground-state energy of molecular hydrogen on the H2-2 trapped-ion quantum computer, integrating mid-circuit error correction routines. Simulations identified memory noise as the dominant error source, supporting the use of partial fault-tolerant techniques to balance error suppression with hardware efficiency on today’s quantum systems. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/05/22/quantum-chemistry-gets-error-corrected-boost-from-quantinuums-trapped-ion-computer/
Former Microsoft Quantum Team Unites to Form Emergence Quantum And Deliver Missing Infrastructure For Quantum Tech
(Quantum Insider – 22 May 2025) Emergence Quantum, a new commercial R&D company spun out from the University of Sydney, aims to provide critical infrastructure and services for the global quantum technology sector. Founded by former Microsoft Quantum researchers, the 20-person team will focus on developing qubit-agnostic control systems, scalable electronics, and energy-efficient classical computing for quantum applications. Backed by the University of Sydney and early partnerships including DARPA’s benchmarking initiative, the company is prioritizing customer delivery over venture capital funding in its initial phase. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/05/22/former-microsoft-quantum-team-unites-to-form-emergence-quantum-and-deliver-missing-infrastructure-for-quantum-tech/
Zurich Instruments And Rohde & Schwarz to Back the National Quantum Computing Testbed Facility in Australia
(Quantum Insider – 22 May 2025) Zurich Instruments and its parent company Rohde & Schwarz have been selected as key partners for Australia’s first National Quantum Computing Testbed Facility (NQCT), receiving nearly AU$6 million in funding under Queensland’s Quantum and Advanced Technologies Commercialisation Infrastructure Program. The NQCT will use superconducting qubit technology from QuantWare, advanced test and measurement equipment from Rohde & Schwarz, and control systems from Zurich Instruments to provide an open-access quantum platform for Australian researchers. The facility will enable hands-on development of quantum hardware, error correction, and custom QPUs, supporting local innovation and education while integrating with CSIRO’s LabOne Q-based software framework. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/05/22/zurich-instruments-and-rohde-schwarz-to-back-the-national-quantum-computing-testbed-facility-in-australia/
Germany’s shape-shifting smart facade uses compressed air and AI to cut emissions
(Interesting Engineering – 22 May 2025) Scientists in Germany have unveiled a groundbreaking smart façade system that changes shape in response to weather conditions to help optimize the energy efficiency and indoor comfort of buildings, thus offering a new path toward adaptive building technologies. Named FlectoLine, the 898-square-foot (83.5-square-meter) system underwent two years of real-world testing and was recently awarded a special prize at the inaugural “Award for Bio-Inspired Innovations Baden-Württemberg.”. The innovative technology, developed through the international research project Flectuation, is the product of more than a decade of work led by the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE), the Institute for Textile and Fiber Technologies (ITFT) at the University of Stuttgart, and the PBG Plant Biomechanics Group at the University of Freiburg. Currently installed on a greenhouse at the Botanical Garden in Freiburg, the demonstrator consists of 101 flexible flaps, shading elements made from fiber-reinforced plastic laminates, that respond dynamically to environmental conditions using compressed air and artificial intelligence (AI). – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/germanys-shape-shifting-smart-facade
Nuclear reactors, semiconductors to get smarter with next-gen US plasma tech
(Interesting Engineering – 22 May 2025) The US Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) has developed a new simulation method that can significantly enhance both fusion research and the manufacturing of computer chips. “Researchers developed a faster, more stable way to simulate the swirling electric fields inside industrial plasmas — the kind used to make microchips and coat materials,” said PPPL in a press release. – https://interestingengineering.com/energy/us-plasma-simulation-could-drive-nuclear-fusion
Google brings sign language translation to AI
(Digital Watch Observatory – 22 May 2025) Google has introduced Gemma 3n, an advanced AI model that can operate directly on mobile devices, laptops, and tablets without relying on the cloud. The company also revealed MedGemma, its most powerful open AI model for analysing medical images and text. – https://dig.watch/updates/google-brings-sign-language-translation-to-ai
From Viral Prank to AI Pioneer: Rahul Sonwalkar’s Julius Aims to Democratize Data Science
(AI Insider – 21 May 2025) Rahul Sonwalkar may have briefly gone viral in 2022 under the pseudonym “Rahul Ligma,” but behind the meme is a seasoned engineer and founder of Julius — an AI-powered data analyst tool now used by over two million people. A former Uber engineer and Y Combinator alum, Sonwalkar launched Julius to make advanced data analysis and visualization accessible through natural language prompts. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/05/21/from-viral-prank-to-ai-pioneer-rahul-sonwalkars-julius-aims-to-democratize-data-science/
AI Accessibility Pioneer Nexus Inclusion Announces €2M Funding Round
(AI Insider – 21 May 2025) Dublin-based startup Nexus Inclusion has secured €2 million in private funding to expand its AI-powered platform that makes digital services more accessible for people with disabilities. Founded in 2024 by Kyran O’Mahoney, who has 17% vision, the company uses generative AI to simplify complex content, add captions and transcripts, and ensure compatibility with assistive technologies. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/05/21/ai-accessibility-pioneer-nexus-inclusion-announces-e2m-funding-round/
Alta Ares Secures €2M to Advance Embedded AI for Defense
(AI Insider – 21 May 2025) Alta Ares has closed its first €2 million funding round to accelerate the development of next-generation embedded AI and MLOps solutions for defense and critical infrastructure. The round was co-led by Expansion and Starburst, with participation from Durandal Capital, Apeiron Venture Capital, Better Angle, Kima Ventures, APOK Invest, EPSL VC, and Samuel Dralet. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/05/21/alta-ares-secures-e2m-to-advance-embedded-ai-for-defense/
Shopify Expands AI Arsenal to Transform Online Storefront Creation
(AI Insider – 21 May 2025) Shopify has unveiled a new suite of AI-driven tools aimed at streamlining the e-commerce setup process for its merchants. Among the highlights is an AI-powered store builder that generates storefronts from a single user prompt — such as “tennis gear and stylish athleisure” — allowing merchants to bypass traditional coding requirements and accelerate site creation. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/05/21/shopify-expands-ai-arsenal-to-transform-online-storefront-creation/
New SWE-1 AI Model Family from Windsurf Revolutionizes Developer Tool Landscape
(AI Insider – 21 May 2025) Windsurf, the AI startup known for pioneering “vibe coding” tools, has launched its first proprietary AI model suite designed specifically for software engineering. The new family — SWE-1, SWE-1-lite, and SWE-1-mini — marks a shift from relying on external models to developing in-house AI optimized for the full engineering lifecycle, not just code generation. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/05/21/new-swe-1-ai-model-family-from-windsurf-revolutionizes-developer-tool-landscape/
Zendo Launches to Decarbonize Data Centers Amid Rising AI Energy Demands
(AI Insider – 21 May 2025) After a year in stealth, Zendo has officially launched with a mission to help data centers prepare for the future of AI computing while dramatically reducing their carbon footprint. Co-founded by climate-conscious technologists including Drew Barrett, Zendo emerges at a time when emissions from major cloud providers are surging — driven by the escalating power needs of AI workloads. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/05/21/zendo-launches-to-decarbonize-data-centers-amid-rising-ai-energy-demands/
£1.2M Investment Propels Martello AI-Powered Environmental Risk Assessment Platform
(AI Insider – 21 May 2025) Martello, an AI-powered platform focused on environmental risk assessments in property transactions, has raised £1.2 million in a funding round led by Fuel Ventures. The company aims to streamline a traditionally manual, data-heavy process by replacing static reports with an interactive AI-driven dashboard that delivers real-time insights. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/05/21/1-2m-investment-propels-martello-ai-powered-environmental-risk-assessment-platform/