digital technology

The Dutch government is developing its own digital infrastructure as an alternative to Microsoft platforms, built on NixOS, a Linux distribution known for reproducible configurations. The project is presented through a community platform and is drawing significant attention among technology and policy watchers. Commenters see it as part of a broader European push for digital sovereignty and reduced dependence on US software vendors.

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.

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.

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.

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.

U.S. regional bank Valley National has agreed to buy Israeli fintech Bluevine for $340 million. The deal gives the bank a digital small business lending platform and is expected to accelerate its technology and artificial intelligence strategy. Industry commentators are watching it as another sign of traditional banks buying fintech capabilities rather than building them in-house.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Electronics For Imaging (EFI) and Agfa have announced a combination of EFI with Agfa's Digital Printing Solutions business, creating a larger player in industrial and digital printing technology. The deal brings together EFI's print software, inkjet and Fiery platforms with Agfa's printing systems and chemistry operations. Industry watchers are weighing the competitive impact on the digital printing market.

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 newly published book argues that digital screens are driving growing social disconnection, examining how constant device use reshapes relationships, attention and everyday face-to-face interaction. The work adds to ongoing public debate about the psychological and social costs of screen time, joining a wider wave of recent writing on technology's effects on community and mental health.

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.

The America First Policy Institute has published a piece examining Virginia's 'Data Center Alley' in Loudoun County, the world's largest concentration of data centers, and what it means for the digital economy under an America First agenda. The article reportedly draws policy lessons on infrastructure, energy demand, and US technological competitiveness from the region's rapid growth.

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.

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.

The Vatican has announced the theme for the next World Day of Social Communications, focusing on the pitfalls of the so-called attention economy, where digital platforms compete to capture and monetize human attention. The choice signals the Catholic Church's continued engagement with questions of technology, media ethics, and how constant digital distraction shapes human relationships and communication.

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.

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.

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.

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.