LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR AI-POWERED CYBERSECURITY – POLITICO

• President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced a five-part growth plan during an annual dialogue with entrepreneurs in Khiva, earmarking nearly €1bn to boost business and exports. • The initiative introduces lower energy prepayments, new credit guarantees, easier capital market access, and regulatory reforms that limit state inspections.

• European compliance startups are scaling up as the European Commission’s AI Act enforcement begins, with full implementation of certain mandates set for August 2, 2026. • Key players include Paris-based Rippletide, founded in 2024, which is building infrastructure to make enterprise AI agents more predictable and auditable through explicit decision rules.

• OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT ads into 31 new markets next week, including France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Austria. • The expansion follows a reported 25% growth in daily ad revenue since the beginning of August, according to the company's CMO.

• AI data centre developers in Europe are shifting away from major cities toward rural locations in regions like northern Sweden and Spain to secure cheaper energy and faster land access. • Data from DC Byte reveals that of nine proposed gigawatt-plus capacity projects, only one is planned near a major city (Paris), highlighting a broader trend toward decentralized infrastructure.

• OpenAI is launching advertisements across 31 European markets, including Germany, France, and Italy, starting August 24. • The rollout utilizes a two-tier GDPR privacy structure: contextual ads will run under "legitimate interest," while personalized targeting requires explicit user opt-in.

• European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde has warned that the European Union must overcome market fragmentation to remain competitive in the global AI race. • Lagarde emphasized that a disjointed single market hinders Europe's ability to support and scale the technological infrastructure necessary for artificial intelligence.

• European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned that Europe must not fall behind in the global artificial intelligence revolution. • Lagarde emphasized that AI is rapidly transforming the global economy, creating a critical need for the region to adapt and innovate.

• OpenAI is expanding its ChatGPT advertising services to 31 European markets, including major economies such as Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. • This rollout represents the largest regional expansion of the service since initial ad trials launched in the United States in February.

• Market expert Jeff Cook reports that the gov tech investment market remained steady in Q2 2026, performing above average despite falling short of previous record highs. • Rubicon has invested in CaseWorthy, a company providing a connective platform that unifies data intake, service coordination, and funder reporting for organizations.

• Singapore's government has collaborated with over 20 partners, including Microsoft, Accenture, and J.P. Morgan, to create nearly 2,000 job and training opportunities. • Announced by Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo on Thursday, the initiative targets fresh graduates and mid-career professionals transitioning into tech roles.

• The Retail Technology Innovation Hub has highlighted 20 retail tech ventures that recently secured significant investments across sectors like AI shopping, live commerce, and warehouse robotics. • Among these, EAIGLE, a specialist in AI-powered gate and yard automation, secured an undisclosed funding round led by Noro-Moseley Partners with support from In Revenue Capital and Boreal Ventures.