Governance and Legislation
CDT Europe’s AI Bulletin: March 2025
(Laura Lazaro Cabrera, Aimée Duprat-Macabies, Magdalena Maier – Center for Democracy & Technology – 26 March 2025) Policymakers in Europe are hard at work on all things artificial intelligence, and CDT Europe is here with our monthly Artificial Intelligence Bulletin to keep you updated. We cover laws and policies that relate to AI, and their implications for Europe, fundamental rights, and democracy. – https://cdt.org/insights/cdt-europes-ai-bulletin-march-2025/
Advancing Multi-stakeholderism for Global Governance of the Internet and AI
(Sabhanaz Rashid Diya – Centre for International Governance Innovation – 26 March 2025) There are growing tensions between the multilateral and multi-stakeholder approach to governing the internet and other digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). Recent advancements in AI have prompted debates on whether a decentralized governance model can respond to increasing threats posed by powerful, transnational technology developers. Growing strains on multilateralism can be explained by shifting geopolitical and economic power distribution between North Atlantic Treaty Organization members and nonmembers. However, multilateralism can compel policy coordination and cost reduction within the present, highly fragmented global AI governance ecosystem. Multi-stakeholderism, while not a panacea, principally offers a pathway of equal footing for state and non-state actors to influence AI governance. However, this approach is only possible if concerned stakeholders are deliberate about designing multi-stakeholder mechanisms throughout the product life cycle. – https://www.cigionline.org/publications/advancing-multi-stakeholderism-for-global-governance-of-the-internet-and-ai/
Nuclear Deterrence in the Age of AGI
(Simon Goldstein, Peter N. Salib – Lawfare – 26 March 2025) One of the great successes of the 20th century was that the U.S. and the Soviet Union never entered into total war. Nuclear deterrence was central to this feat; each of the two great superpowers had nuclear weapons. If either party attacked the other, the attacker could expect to be destroyed by the defender in a second strike. Today, the United States and China are engaged in a new kind of conflict: the artificial general intelligence (AGI) race. As AI capabilities advance rapidly, many expect AI to become the most important economic and military technology in the world. Indeed, the AGI race is often portrayed as an existential matter: Whoever wins the race will “rule the world.”. In this article, we argue that the most important element of the AGI race remains nuclear deterrence—not, as most commenters suggest, AGI itself. There are two possibilities. First, if AGI does not disrupt nuclear deterrence, then the winner of the AGI race will not, in fact, “rule the world.” Second, if AGI does challenge nuclear deterrence, then it poses a grave threat to international security, regardless of who wins the AGI race. In that event, countries will engage in high-risk strategies to try and preserve their ability to threaten a nuclear strike. If they fail, peace will no longer be incentivized through nuclear deterrence. It is therefore crucial to better understand whether and how AGI will affect nuclear deterrence. – https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/nuclear-deterrence-in-the-age-of-agi
UnitedHealth removes mentions of DEI from its website
(TechCrunch – 26 March 2025) UnitedHealth Group has scrubbed much of its website mentioning its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, including pulling down blog posts and removing large sections from its website, TechCrunch has learned. According to archived copies of UnitedHealth’s website, several of the company’s web pages dedicated to DEI no longer load and now redirect to a “page not found” error. A section of the company’s career page that used to have a dedicated section for diversity, equity, and inclusion, along with its diversity initiatives, no longer appears on the same live page. UnitedHealth also removed a 2022 blog post featuring a conversation with its vice president of DEI. It’s not clear why UnitedHealth pulled down the pages, and if it represents a shift of verbiage or an actual change in its policies. UnitedHealth spokesperson Tyler Mason did not return requests for comment. The removal of DEI from UnitedHealth’s websites coincides with a broad retreat from DEI policies and programs by household names and tech companies alike, amid mounting pressure from Trump administration-issued executive orders targeting DEI programs. – https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/26/unitedhealth-removes-mentions-of-dei-from-its-website/
Security
12 members of an Irish high-risk criminal network arrested
(Europol – 26 March 2025) This week, Irish and Spanish law enforcement authorities took decisive action against one of Ireland’s high-risk criminal networks. In a coordinated series of raids in both countries, An Garda Síochána and Guardia Civil officers arrested 12 suspects (6 in Ireland and 6 in Spain). The criminals are suspected of involvement in large-scale drug trafficking, mainly by transporting drugs hidden in vehicles from Spain to Ireland. Law enforcement uncovered the network’s activities, including drug-related crimes such as money laundering, when it dismantled the Ghost encrypted communication platform in September 2024. In an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to evade detection, the criminals had relied on sophisticated encrypted communications and had fragmented their exchanges across multiple platforms. During the action day, however, investigators were able to trace several Ghost user handles back to members of the criminal network. – https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/12-members-of-irish-high-risk-criminal-network-arrested
New York’s cyber chief on keeping cities and states safe from cyberattacks
(Jonathan Greig – The Record – 26 March 2025) Three years ago, Colin Ahern became New York state’s first ever chief cyber officer — a role he took on after serving as first deputy director of New York City Cyber Command and acting CISO for the city. As cyber threats targeting government agencies surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, he took steps to move state systems to the cloud and tighten security measures. Ahern got his start in cyber as a U.S. Army Officer and left the Army as a company commander at the U.S. Army Cyber Brigade, where he oversaw the creation of a specialized cyberspace operations organization. He eventually returned to government after working in financial services and as a professor at Columbia University. Ahern sat down with Recorded Future News earlier this year to discuss New York’s efforts to protect local governments from ransomware and more. – https://therecord.media/new-york-cyber-chief-on-keeping-cities-states-safe
Chinese ‘FamousSparrow’ hackers back from the dead and targeting North America, researchers say
(Jonathan Greig – The Record – 26 March 2025) A Chinese government hacking group thought to be dormant since 2022 has allegedly been targeting organizations in the U.S., Mexico and Honduras. Researchers from the cybersecurity firm ESET said Wednesday they were investigating suspicious activity on the network of a U.S. trade group when they found hacking tools previously linked to a group named FamousSparrow. Further investigation revealed the group had upgraded the backdoor tool it had become known for, called — SparrowDoor. ESET found two previously undocumented versions on victim networks. – https://therecord.media/china-famous-sparrow-back-eset
UK warns of emerging threat from ‘sadistic’ online ‘Com networks’ of teenage boys
(Alexander Martin – The Record – 26 March 2025) Online networks of teenage boys “dedicated to inflicting harm and committing a range of criminality” are among the most significant concerns for British law enforcement, officials announced this week. Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) is warning of a “new generation of young, English-speaking cyber criminals” who are “predominantly teenage boys that often share sadistic and misogynistic material, and have been seen to target those their own age or younger.” – https://therecord.media/uk-threat-com-sadistic-teenager
Defense, Intelligence, and Warfare
US greenlights potential $1.96 billion MQ-9B drone deal for Qatar
(Lee Ferran – Breaking Defense – 26 March 2025) The US government approved a potential $1.96 billion sale to Qatar of eight MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles, which, if completed, would mark the first sale of the General Atomics-produced drones to the Middle East. The potential deal also includes hundreds of bombs along with scores of missiles, several radars, radios, satellite communication ground systems and related equipment, along with US technical support. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the State Department said in its public notification. “The proposed sale will improve Qatar’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing timely intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, target acquisition, counter-land, and counter-surface sea capabilities for its security and defense.” – https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/us-greenlights-potential-1-96-billion-mq-9b-drones-for-qatar/
In the wake of Hegseth’s software memo, experts eye further change
(Courtney Albon – Defense News – 26 March 2025) In the two weeks since Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive requiring the use of rapid procurement methods and contracting tools for all software acquisition, military officials and industry executives have expressed a mix of optimism and angst about the mandate, while also calling for more sweeping reforms to how the Pentagon develops, tests and funds software-heavy programs. The March 6 memo directs all Defense Department components to use DOD’s Software Acquisition Pathway, along with other authorities designed to speed up the buying process and better leverage commercial providers. The tools singled out in Hegseth’s order have existed for years, but a relatively small number of programs actually use them. – https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2025/03/26/in-the-wake-of-hegseths-software-memo-experts-eye-further-change/
US Army wants AI solutions to protect homeland munitions sites
(Jen Judson – Defense News – 26 March 2025) The U.S. Army is looking for inexpensive but high-tech solutions, including artificial intelligence, to help protect the massive acreage that make up its sites where munitions are made and stockpiled. – https://www.defensenews.com/land/2025/03/26/us-army-wants-ai-solutions-to-protect-homeland-munitions-sites/
New ‘Space Warfighting Framework’ coming to codify Space Force concepts, terms
(Theresa Hitchens – Breaking Defense – 26 March 2025) The Space Force is readying a new “Space Warfighting” framework to explain service concepts and terms — such as “space superiority” and “orbital warfare” — both internally to its own operational planners and externally to Joint Force planners, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said today. “[W]hat it allows us to do is is lay down a common vocabulary, common terms of reference,” he told the Mitchell Institute in an online interview. “This is what really has to happen in order for us to achieve space superiority.”. The interview signaled a rapprochement between Saltzman and the institute, following his Feb. 20 ban on engagement with Mitchell by Space Force personnel — which came hard on the heels of the Feb. 19 release of a new Mitchell report calling on the Defense Department, and the Space Force itself to more clearly define the service’s role in warfighting. – https://breakingdefense.com/2025/03/new-space-warfighting-framework-coming-to-codify-space-force-concepts-terms/
Frontiers
Top Universities For Quantum Research — 2025
(Quantum Insider – 26 March 2025) While we can unequivocally say that the following universities are global leaders in quantum research, we acknowledge that comparisons are difficult, if not impossible, and that research output is not the only measure of quantum leadership. Research quality, educational quality, educational opportunity and mentorship, while harder to quantify, are indeed facets of quantum research leadership. However, in order to move beyond a top-of-mind list, we use output as a way to add rigor and justify entry on the list of Top Universities for Quantum Research. We also include a measure of output based on the number of students at the school to create a fairer standard. One thing that is noticeable on the list is that universities with high quantum research output show signs of those other intangible qualities of scientific leadership. All have strong centers and institutes for quantum research and include top faculty. These schools also gain media attention for their work, which is noted when possible and when relevant. Besides a recognition of some of the leaders in quantum research, we can take away a few lessons, albeit anecdotally. First, there is just a general increase in awareness of quantum, particularly quantum computing and quantum sensing, that is driving universities to create centers and institutes of learning. Another trend is the appearance of many more Chinese universities on the list — perhaps a reflection of that nation’s efforts to attain global leadership in quantum. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/03/26/top-universities-for-quantum-research-2025/
Robots to extract 41.5 tonnes of radioactive sandbags at Japan’s Fukushima plant
(Kaif Shaikh – Interesting Engineering – 26 March 2025) Remotely operated robots are set to begin work in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant’s basements next week, Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) announced on March 21. Their mission: remove sandbags heavily contaminated by radiation after the 2011 nuclear disaster. These sandbags, used to absorb water laced with radioactive particles, have remained in zones too hazardous for human intervention, where lethal radiation levels persist. Measurements at the sandbags’ surface show exposure rates of 4.4 sieverts per hour. Robots offer a critical alternative, as prolonged direct contact at these intensities can be deadly. Japanese media report approximately 2,850 sandbags still on-site, totaling around 41.5 tonnes of radioactive material, though Tepco has yet to confirm these figures. Once removed, the sandbags will be sealed in dedicated containers and then relocated to a temporary storage area beyond the immediate perimeter of Fukushima Daiichi. – https://interestingengineering.com/culture/robots-clear-sandbags-from-fukushima-daiichi
OpenAI adopts rival Anthropic’s standard for connecting AI models to data
(TechCrunch – 26 March 2025) OpenAI is embracing rival Anthropic’s standard for connecting AI assistants to the systems where data resides. In a post on X on Wednesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that OpenAI will add support for Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol, or MCP, across its products, including the desktop app for ChatGPT. MCP is an open source standard that helps AI models produce better, more relevant responses to certain queries. – https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/26/openai-adopts-rival-anthropics-standard-for-connecting-ai-models-to-data/
National Quantum Computing Centre’s Paper Explores Quantum Computing’s Transformative Potential in Healthcare And Pharmaceuticals
(Quantum Insider – 26 March 2025) UK – The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) has published its first Insights Paper exploring how quantum computing could transform healthcare and pharmaceuticals over the coming decades. The paper identifies over 40 proof-of-concept use cases, including drug discovery, diagnostics, personalised medicine, and healthcare system optimisation, aligned with national health and quantum strategy priorities. It highlights both the sector’s enthusiasm for mission-led initiatives and the need to address key challenges such as technology maturity, integration with existing systems, and cross-disciplinary workforce development. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/03/26/national-quantum-computing-centres-paper-explores-quantum-computings-transformative-potential-in-healthcare-and-pharmaceuticals/
Google Executive Says Quantum Applications Could Arrive in Five Years
(Quantum Insider – 26 March 2025) A top Google executive told CNBC the company is about five years away from quantum computers running practical applications beyond classical capabilities. Google’s Julian Kelly said early uses may include simulating advanced physics problems and generating novel data, though AI-related uses remain speculative. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/03/26/google-executive-says-quantum-applications-could-arrive-in-five-years/
America’s housing crisis gets high-tech upgrade with 3D printed, robot-built homes
(Neetika Walter – Interesting Engineering – 26 March 2025) As rents soar and housing grows increasingly scarce, millions of Americans are struggling to keep a roof over their head. In a bid to tackle this crisis, builders are using innovative ways to rapidly increase housing supply. From 3D printing to factory-built homes to using hemp, builders are exploring unconventional methods to construct homes faster without burning a hole in the pockets of the buyers and renters. Adrianne Todman, former acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, emphasized that the shortage of both homes for sale and rental properties is a pressing issue and that embracing innovative construction methods could help bridge the gap more quickly. “I can only imagine what our housing situation would be like now if we could have made a decision to be more aggressive in adopting this type of housing decades ago,” she said. – https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/builders-find-unique-solutions-to-us-housing-crisis
Reed Hastings Donates $50M to Launch AI and Humanity Initiative at Bowdoin College
(AI Insider – 26 March 2025) Bowdoin College has received a historic $50 million gift from Reed Hastings, cofounder of Netflix and CEO of Powder Mountain, to establish the Hastings Initiative for AI and Humanity. The initiative, now launched, marks the largest donation in Bowdoin’s 231-year history. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/03/26/reed-hastings-donates-50m-to-launch-ai-and-humanity-initiative-at-bowdoin-college/
AI-Driven Legal Platform Legora Launches U.S. Operations with Goodwin Partnership and NYC Office
(AI Insider – 26 March 2025) Legora, the AI-powered legal platform, has officially launched in the United States with the opening of its New York office and a strategic partnership with global law firm Goodwin. The announcement follows Legora’s recent rebrand and rollout of new features tailored for top-tier firms. – https://theaiinsider.tech/2025/03/26/ai-driven-legal-platform-legora-launches-u-s-operations-with-goodwin-partnership-and-nyc-office/