digital humanities

A technology commentator is warning that the newest frontier AI models do not produce accessible web pages. They cannot automate accessibility testing, replace human testers, or magically fix accessibility problems on websites, and they also cannot catch every issue manually identified. The caution targets developers and organisations tempted to treat AI as a full solution for digital accessibility compliance.

Human Rights Watch is calling on the European Union to tighten its export controls on surveillance technology, arguing that current rules allow spyware and monitoring tools to reach governments and actors that may use them to violate human rights. The appeal adds to ongoing debate in Brussels over regulating the trade in invasive digital surveillance tools.

A new Arts and Digital Humanities online seminar for 2026/27, led by Clarisse Bardiot as part of the STAGE project, is examining how movement and live performance can be captured as digital research data without stripping away its expressive meaning. The opening session on 19 October featured researcher Andreas, with discussion focusing on digital methods for studying cultural data.

A police union leader has argued that officers struggling with mental health should be supported by human counselors rather than computer programs or automated tools. The comments come amid growing interest in using technology to address mental health needs, including within law enforcement, where stress and trauma are common. The union's position is that personal, professional support cannot be replaced by a digital substitute.

A Northeastern University art professor is combining GIS mapping data with declassified CIA spy imagery to document the human impact of war. By layering satellite reconnaissance photos with geographic data, the project aims to reveal how conflict reshapes landscapes and civilian life, drawing attention for its unusual blend of intelligence archives, digital cartography and contemporary art.

US Big Tech companies are holding more meetings with EU policymakers than major European corporations, according to the Business and Human Rights Centre. The finding highlights the scale of American technology firms' lobbying presence in Brussels as the EU weighs rules on digital markets, AI and platform accountability that directly affect their business.

Generative AI can now imitate human brushwork, watercolor textures and even anatomical quirks, making digital fakes increasingly difficult to tell apart from genuine fine art. The News Literacy Project, with host Dan Evon, is sharing practical tips for evaluating suspicious imagery, urging viewers to check details and sources before trusting what they see.

A new exhibition titled 'Desiring Machines' examines humanity's relationship with technology, asking viewers to imagine a healthier, more balanced way of living with digital tools and machines. Presented in ARTnews coverage, the show frames technology not as an enemy but as something society must learn to coexist with, prompting reflection on dependence, desire and design in everyday life.

Readers are logging and discussing Valuable Humans in Transit, the science fiction collection from the author behind qntm, in book-focused reading communities. The collection, known for its hard science fiction take on digital consciousness, is being tracked on personal bookshelves under science fiction tags as part of ongoing reading lists.

Canadian companies are increasingly treating human resources as a core part of their technology strategy rather than a purely administrative function, according to a report from Digital Journal. The shift suggests firms are investing in digital tools to manage hiring, payroll and workforce data. The report did not detail specific companies or adoption figures.

Discussion is circulating about whether AI agents should be allowed to negotiate, transact and manage money on their own, combining artificial intelligence with blockchain and programmable finance. Proponents argue such an 'Agentic Financial Operating System' could underpin the next digital economy, letting software handle payments and negotiations without human intervention. The concept is being floated as a possible future direction for banking and finance.

Analysts warn that the new United Nations convention against cybercrime could either strengthen or erode human rights, depending on how individual countries implement it. The treaty gives governments expanded powers to investigate and share evidence on digital crime, and critics fear it could be used to justify surveillance or prosecution of dissent, while supporters say it fills a gap in cross-border cooperation.

Commentary is examining the next phase of automation, focusing on how human-generated data trains robotic systems and physical manipulation capabilities. Analysts are weighing where investment and innovation in robotics and automation may head next, as advances in AI increasingly connect digital learning with real-world robot performance.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is calling for greater oversight of technology used in connection with environmental crime across Latin America. The appeal, carried widely by US regional newspapers, links surveillance and digital tools to abuses affecting communities and defenders in the region. It renews scrutiny of how governments and companies deploy such technology in environmental enforcement and conflicts over land and resources.

A debate is under way in Hollywood over whether artificial intelligence is now capable of creating digital performers that could compete with real film stars. The question touches on rapid advances in AI-generated imagery and voice, and lands amid ongoing industry sensitivity over how the technology affects actors' work, likenesses and pay.

A new essay argues that genuine conversation is in decline, eroded by screens, social media and shrinking attention spans. The piece reflects on how digital communication has replaced face-to-face dialogue and what has been lost as a result: depth, listening skills and real human connection. Commentators online are debating whether the loss is real or simply a change in how people talk.

Wei Mei Tan has shared insights on finding the right balance between human judgment and technology, arguing that technology should support rather than replace human decision-making. The remarks come amid ongoing debate across the financial and wealth management sectors about how far automation and digital tools should go, and what role people should retain as firms digitise their services.

ARTICLE 19 has released the Glion Recommendations, a new set of guidance on implementing the Rabat Plan of Action in the digital age. The recommendations aim to help states and platforms apply international human rights standards to online speech, updating the original 2012 framework for tackling hateful conduct while protecting freedom of expression.

Universities are being called on to address how artificial intelligence reshapes higher education while protecting human agency and sustainability. The discussion, tied to UNESCO themes of AI ethics, covers how institutions should balance digital transformation with climate action, ethical AI use and the wellbeing of people and the living world as AI spreads through teaching and research.

The Digital Classicist Seminar is running again this winter semester at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, based at the Centre for Fundamental Research on the Ancient World in Berlin-Mitte. Sessions take place fortnightly on Tuesdays from 4 pm, with contributions announced from speakers including Mattia Celisi and Karsten Tolle, covering digital approaches to classical studies.

Benedictine College is publishing guidance on adopting new technologies while preserving one's moral and spiritual integrity. The piece addresses a growing anxiety about how digital tools reshape attention, relationships and inner life, and asks readers to weigh convenience against deeper human values. It reflects a broader debate among religious and ethics communities over humane technology use.

A side-event at the 89th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is addressing the protection of the environment, land rights and digital space in Africa. Organised with the International Service for Human Rights, the session links environmental and land defenders' concerns with emerging questions about digital freedoms, framing all three as interconnected human rights issues across the continent.

Generative AI can now imitate human brushwork, watercolor textures and anatomical quirks, making digital fakes hard to tell apart from genuine fine art. The News Literacy Project, with host Dan Evon, has released a guide outlining practical ways to evaluate suspected imagery, as concern grows over the spread of convincing AI-generated artworks online.

An apostolic nuncio urged participants at the G20 Interfaith Forum to adopt a human-centred approach to technology, arguing that technological development should serve people rather than dominate them. The appeal, reported by EWTN News, reflects the Vatican's broader push to place ethics and human dignity at the centre of debates on artificial intelligence and digital innovation, as religious leaders weigh in alongside governments ahead of the G20.

One US airline has introduced an additional fee for passengers who book flights over the phone, reserving its cheapest fares for online or app bookings. The move adds to the list of ancillary charges travelers face and is drawing attention as another example of airlines nudging customers toward digital self-service while charging for human assistance.

Generative AI tools that turn written text into music are reshaping how digital content is created, according to tech coverage. The shift is changing workflows for creators in music and media, as AI-generated audio becomes more capable and accessible. Commenters are weighing the creative opportunities against concerns about copyright and the role of human artists.

South Korean identity security firm RaonSecure is expanding its digital identity technology beyond mobile devices to robots and AI systems. The move would let machines verify identities and authenticate themselves within the company's biometric and identity infrastructure. The announcement highlights growing interest in extending identity and access management to autonomous systems and the emerging machine-economy landscape.