Welcome to the February 2025 edition of Pulse, your monthly guide to the most pressing developments in AI, data science, policy, and global innovation. This issue highlights groundbreaking advancements in AI governance, celebrates community achievements, and explores emerging opportunities at the intersection of technology and society. Let’s dive into the latest updates shaping our world.
Key Global Developments in AI , Data and Policy
- Global AI Investment Surge: The EU’s €200 billion InvestAI, France’s €109 billion AI pledge, and the $400 million Current AI foundation underscore massive public and private commitments to drive innovation while prioritising ethical deployment.
- UK’s AI Security Overhaul: The UK rebranded its AI Safety Institute as the UK AI Security Institute, introduced AI growth zones, and partnered with Anthropic to bolster national security and innovation.
- Regulatory Moves: The EU clarified prohibited AI practices under its AI Act, while the U.S. revoked Biden’s AI risk executive order, sparking debates on innovation vs. safety.
Recent Insights from Data for Policy CIC
- Paris AI Action Summit 2025 and Global AI Initiatives: The 2025 Paris AI Action Summit highlighted global efforts towards equitable and sustainable AI governance, with 60 countries endorsing inclusive AI. Major initiatives focused on AI investments, public interest foundations, and improving online safety and data privacy, resonating with Data for Policy CIC’s mission of fostering international collaboration at the intersection of data, policy, and governance. Read More
- Data for Policy 2025 (DfP’25) Europe Edition is fast approaching, bringing together global experts to explore the theme “Twin Transitions in Data and Policy for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future.” In collaboration with TNO and the Centre for Bold Cities, we are set to address the pressing challenges of ensuring sustainability and inclusivity within the rapidly evolving policy landscape. For more details on its key focus areas, read the conference committee’s recent blog post.
- Exploring the Rise of Tech-Enabled States: On 29 January 2025, Data for Policy CIC hosted Dr. Keegan McBride for a session on “The Rise of Tech-Enabled States,” focusing on digital governance, and geopolitical impacts, especially in the Global South. The discussion emphasised the importance of digital sovereignty and sustainability. Visit the Data for Policy YouTube channel to watch the full session.
- Data & Policy Journal: Five Years of Growth and Impact: Data & Policy, a leading open-access journal, has expanded its influence, connecting research with practical policy solutions. With a focus on AI ethics, data governance, and climate data, the journal continues to drive societal impact and plans to increase rapid-response publications and global partnerships. Learn more about the Data & Policy journal
News from Our Community
- Gianluca Misuraca has been appointed as the Scientific Director at AI4Gov Accelerate (AI4Gov-X).
- Barbara Ubaldi has joined the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change as Senior Director for AI and Government Innovation.
- Prof. David Hand led a discussion at the inaugural UK Statistics Assembly in January 2025.
- Prof. Stefaan Verhulst contributed to a roundtable organised by UNESCO’s IFAP Working Group on Information Accessibility and Information Ethics at the Paris Summit.
On Our Radar: Moonshot AI has recently launched the Kimi k1.5, and Mistral AI has introduced its Le Chat assistant. Meanwhile, Elon Musk unveiled Grok 3, claiming it to be the “smartest on Earth.” In government news, the UK has announced new initiatives to balance AI innovation with safety, with the UK AI Safety Institute evolving into the ‘UK AI Security Institute‘ to focus on national security risks posed by AI. The UAE is investing $50 billion in French data centres to boost its digital infrastructure. Estonia is exploring new e-government possibilities for Tanzania, while the UK’s Technology Secretary Peter Kyle addressed AI and cybersecurity at the Munich Security Conference, emphasising the importance of international collaboration. The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and NITRD NCO are also seeking public input for the development of the U.S. AI Action Plan. Other significant updates include the UK government’s push to create AI growth zones to foster innovation and a collaboration between G42 and Microsoft to promote responsible AI practices globally.
Reports in Focus : The International AI Safety Report 2025, led by Yoshua Bengio, analyses the risks of advanced AI and provides a scientific foundation for AI safety discussions. The UK Government’s AI Playbook offers a framework for responsibly deploying AI in public services, aiming to boost public trust while encouraging innovation. A report from the U.S. Copyright Office delves into the impacts of AI on copyright laws and creative industries, while the Tony Blair Institute’s report discusses AI regulations for the Global South, balancing innovation with ethical considerations. The European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass outlines a strategic roadmap for enhancing Europe’s technological leadership, and UNCTAD’s report examines the effects of indirect taxation on e-commerce in developing countries.
Recent Articles: OpenAI’s recent research on its o3 model highlights its success in competitive programming, securing a gold medal at the IOI 2024. Microsoft’s “The Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking” explores AI’s role in addressing ethical, social, and policy challenges, while discussions at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting centred on AI’s energy dilemmas, its role in securing innovation, and its potential in the public sector.
Blogs: In the latest IEEE Spectrum opinion piece, the unpredictable nature of AI mistakes is compared to human errors, urging the need for new security systems to address AI-specific risks. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, emphasised global cooperation at the AI Action Summit, underscoring its importance in tackling AI challenges. Meanwhile, the Open Data Institute’s blog post on the UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan explores how it aims to position the UK as a global AI leader by enhancing data publication practices and investing in data infrastructure. A recent blog from Rachel Coldicutt critiques the UK’s stance at the AI Action Summit, reflecting concerns over the country’s focus on global AI dominance.
Opportunities: Various academic and professional opportunities are available, including research fellowships at UCL and CSET Georgetown, a Senior Fellow position at The Foundation for American Innovation (FAI), and a visiting researcher role at the Institute for Law & AI. Additionally, the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) has opened a call for applications for its Digital Policy Hub.
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