digital technology

American Cardinal Robert McElroy is examining how the Catholic Church should operate in the digital era, according to Vatican News. The piece explores how the Church can engage with technology, online communities and digital communication while carrying out its mission. The topic touches ongoing Vatican debates about evangelisation and how the institution should adapt to a world increasingly shaped by digital media.

Ukraine's digital minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, says Kyiv wants European countries and companies to use Ukraine as a sandbox for developing and testing artificial intelligence technologies. The proposal positions the country, which has built deep digital expertise during the war, as a live testing environment for EU AI innovation and regulation.

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition is highlighting digital solutions for rice cultivation as a way to cut super pollutants such as methane across food and climate systems. Rice paddies are a major source of methane, a potent short-lived greenhouse gas, and the initiative points to technology-driven practices that can reduce emissions while supporting food production and climate goals.

The Atlantic Council argues the United States needs a coherent strategy toward the Global South on technology, framing it as essential to American competitiveness. The piece suggests Washington must engage developing nations on digital and tech issues or risk ceding influence to rival powers seeking those markets and partnerships.

A report estimates that $3.5 trillion in economic value is being lost or left untapped because of the global digital divide, the gap between those with access to digital technology and connectivity and those without. The figure highlights how billions of people remain offline, restricting economic participation and growth, particularly in developing regions.

Dan Munz and a co-author are revisiting their essay 'The End of Civic Tech's Interface Era', prompted by the launch of America.gov as the new front door to US federal agency services. They argue the launch is a good moment to assess what their original piece got right about how government technology interfaces are evolving, and what it may have missed as federal digital services consolidate under a single portal.

A commentary argues that people may need to step back from digital technology, making the case for a 'techlash' — a backlash against the dominance of digital tools in everyday life. The piece questions whether it is possible to survive the digital age without reverting to analogue habits, reflecting a growing debate about screen dependence, privacy and the effects of constant connectivity on wellbeing.

Christian Standard has published a feature examining how digital technology is transforming ministry practices. The piece looks at how churches are adopting online services, digital outreach and new communication tools to reach congregations, reflecting a broader conversation about technology's role in religious life.

A technology commentator argues that phrases like 'digital privacy' and 'digital rights' are misleading, because they suggest our rights originate inside digital spaces rather than existing independently of them. The writer insists those rights predate technology and should not be defined by the companies that build digital platforms. The argument is drawing agreement and discussion among others concerned with how online rights are framed and protected.

Technology consultancy Public Digital has issued a warning that institutions are losing control as artificial intelligence reshapes how organisations operate. The firm argues that governments, companies and public bodies must adapt faster to AI-driven change or risk falling behind. The warning came via a press release distributed on Business Wire.

A writer from Green Bay, Wisconsin, who previously worked at Facebook, has released a new book examining the relationship between technology and democracy. Local outlet WBAY reported the publication, highlighting the author's hometown roots and insider experience at one of the world's largest social media companies. The book adds to a growing genre of firsthand accounts from former tech employees weighing in on how digital platforms affect democratic life.

Australian government agencies were reportedly warned in May about an incoming 'vulnerability storm' in the technology sector, before a breach affecting OpenAI came to light. The warning highlighted growing security weaknesses across widely used digital platforms, and the OpenAI incident has renewed attention on whether agencies acted on the advice.

Education technology company Instructure has launched its first EdTech Top 40, a ranking of the most-used digital tools in higher education. The inaugural list found that dedicated AI tools did not break into the top 100 platforms used by students and faculty, suggesting AI adoption in classrooms still lags behind mainstream learning technologies.

Education leaders in Wisconsin are making cybersecurity a priority in their latest budget proposal, seeking dedicated funding to protect school districts from growing digital threats. The proposal signals a shift in how state education officials view technology risks, as schools increasingly manage sensitive student data and rely on connected systems for daily operations.

Anthony Scaramucci, founder of Solari Capital, says the firm is betting on Bitcoin and exponential technologies as core investment themes. He frames Bitcoin alongside rapid-growth technology sectors as a key opportunity, adding a further high-profile Wall Street voice to institutional advocacy for digital assets.

Valour, a subsidiary of DeFi Technologies, has launched an exchange-traded product tracking Zcash on the Spotlight Stock Market, giving investors a regulated way to gain exposure to the privacy-focused cryptocurrency without holding it directly. The move extends Valour's lineup of crypto ETPs and signals continued institutional interest in digital assets, including privacy coins.

Central Asian countries are holding discussions on establishing shared rules for the digital economy and artificial intelligence across the region. The talks, reported by Kazakhstan-based outlet the Astana Times, point to growing interest in coordinating technology policy among neighbouring states rather than regulating digital markets and AI individually. Details on specific proposals, participating governments, or timelines have not yet been made public.

McDonald's is outlining an ambitious modernization push covering its menu, digital technology, and restaurant experience. Reported by Restaurant Dive, the plans point to renewed investment in innovation across the fast-food giant's operations worldwide. The scope of the changes and timelines remain broadly framed, and the company's specific priorities within the upgrade program are not yet fully detailed.

Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business is drawing attention for its graduate program focused on where business meets technology. The Collegiate Times highlighted the offering, which combines business training with technology skills to prepare students for careers in an increasingly digital economy. Details on enrollment or program changes were not provided.

A 1945 memorandum between mathematician Hermann Weyl and Frank Aydelotte, then director of the Institute for Advanced Study, has been made available through the IAS digital repository and is drawing attention from readers of a technology discussion forum. The document offers a glimpse into the institute's wartime-era intellectual life and Weyl's role there after fleeing Nazi Germany.

The Thomas B. Fordham Institute has launched Wonkathon 2026, posing a central question about education policy: what rules should govern the use of digital technology in schools, and which authorities—federal, state, or local—should set them. The education think tank is inviting policy thinkers to weigh in on how devices, apps, and digital learning tools should be regulated in classrooms.

Australian consumer electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi has selected Vusion, the retail technology platform, to advance its connected store strategy. The announcement, carried via PR Newswire, signals JB Hi-Fi's investment in digital in-store infrastructure and smarter retail operations. Details on the scope, timeline and financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed in the initial release.

A newly formed parent group in the Park Hill school district is advocating for reduced use of technology in classrooms. The effort, reported by the Kansas City Star, adds to a wider national debate among parents and educators over how much screen time and digital learning belongs in schools.

The French free-software advocacy group April has published its press review for week 39 of 2026, compiled on LinuxFr. The roundup gathers recent coverage on digital topics including artificial intelligence, the major tech platforms, China, and internet resilience. The weekly reviews are a regular feature of the organisation's work to keep the French-speaking free-software community informed about digital-policy and technology news.

Banking industry analysis is examining how tokenisation — the conversion of assets such as bonds, funds and deposits into digital tokens on blockchain-based infrastructure — is changing global finance. Commentary from The Banker suggests tokenised assets could streamline settlement, cut costs and open markets to new participants, while banks and regulators weigh how to adapt custody, compliance and payment systems to this shift.

The European Securities and Markets Authority has named digital innovation as one of its supervisory priorities, signalling closer regulatory attention to how financial firms adopt new technologies, including areas such as digital finance and potentially crypto-related services. The move indicates EU markets regulators intend to focus scrutiny on innovation-driven risks alongside traditional conduct and disclosure concerns in the period ahead.

Finnish smart ring maker Oura is reportedly moving toward an initial public offering, a step that could reshape the digital health sector. Industry observers say a listing would test investor appetite for consumer wearables that position themselves as health tools, and could pressure rivals in the wearables and preventive health market. The move is being watched as a signal for where consumer health technology is headed next.