Digital Trade and Data Governance News
- EU-Korea Digital Trade Agreement – The EU and Korea have concluded negotiations for a landmark Digital Trade Agreement that sets high-standard digital trade rules, ensuring secure data flows, robust consumer protection, and legal certainty for businesses.
- Trump’s Memorandum on Defending U.S. Innovators – On February 21, President Trump issued a memorandum challenging foreign digital taxes and regulations deemed discriminatory against American tech companies—targeting measures like Canada’s DST and streaming rules.
Artificial Intelligence News
- Canada’s AI Strategy for Public Service – Canada has launched its first AI Strategy for the federal public service, focusing on responsible AI adoption, security, transparency, workforce training, and an AI Centre of Expertise.
- El Salvador’s AI Promotion Law – The Legislative Assembly has approved the Law for the Promotion of Artificial Intelligence and Technologies, establishing AI research centers, an AI regulatory agency (ANIA), and training initiatives to integrate AI into key sectors like education, healthcare, and transportation while ensuring data protection and intellectual property rights.
- AI Agent Index Launched – Researchers have developed the first public database documenting AI agent systems, highlighting their rapid deployment, dominance by U.S. firms, and limited safety disclosures, with the goal of informing AI governance and fostering greater transparency in agentic system development.
- Global Citizens Assembly on AI Governance – The proposal envisions a permanent Global Citizens Assembly to empower public voices in AI policymaking, counteract nationalist AI arms races, and drive forward a global, participatory regulatory regime that balances corporate and state power while addressing ethical, social, and democratic challenges.
- EU Expands AI Infrastructure – The EuroHPC JU has selected six new AI Factories in Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Poland, and Slovenia, backed by €485 million, to boost AI innovation by providing critical resources for startups, SMEs, and researchers as part of Europe’s broader strategy for AI leadership and future high-performance investments.
- China’s Parliamentary Focus on AI and Tech Innovation – At its annual meetings amid U.S. trade tensions, Beijing showcased how advancements in AI—exemplified by firms like DeepSeek—and a shift toward supporting private tech innovation and open-source models are being used to counter external pressures and boost domestic competitiveness.
- China Announces High-Tech Fund – China will set up a state-backed fund to support technological innovation. The “state venture capital guidance fund” will focus on cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology and hydrogen energy storage.
- Canada’s AI Safety Initiatives – Canada has announced new measures to promote responsible AI adoption, including a refreshed AI Advisory Council, the launch of the Safe and Secure AI Advisory Group, and a new guide to support the implementation of its Voluntary Code of Conduct for Advanced Generative AI Systems.
What We're Reading
- Kazakhstan’s AI Sovereignty Push – Kazakhstan is developing domestic AI capabilities, including a supercomputer cluster, to drive economic growth and integrate the Kazakh language into AI models, reinforcing its technological independence and cultural identity.
- CPTPP E-Commerce Modernization – There’s a growing call to update the CPTPP’s e-commerce chapter with advanced digital governance and future-proof provisions to maintain global trade leadership, promote policy coherence, and support expanding membership amidst increasing economic uncertainty.
- How AI is changing how the World Builds Computers – The New York Times article examines the escalating energy demands of AI data centers, highlighting their significant environmental impact and the urgent need for sustainable solutions in the tech industry.
Opportunities to Comment
- Netherlands’ AI Oversight – The Dutch Data Protection Authority has launched a consultation on “meaningful human intervention,” aiming to clarify how human oversight should function in AI-driven decision-making to ensure compliance with data protection laws.
