I just recently posted about a paper describing how “Conjuring a Blockchain Pilot” worked in #HumanitarianAid in the early days of the #blockchain hype.

This article by Martine Dahl-Bastiansen published on the London School of Economics and Political Science (#LSE) website presents a variety of applications in the field.

As I am not familiar with all the projects described there, I cannot endorse them in terms of their meaningful and responsible use of blockchain technology.

So even when decentralised technology is used, many of these projects seem to continue to reflect centralised procedures. Moreover, the mere use of technology does not indicate acceptance if people have no alternative but to use the system defined by international donors.

Again: In the end, technology should not be first; it should be critically assessed, even if one is confident about the opportunities in selected use cases. And design should start with the people and communities, which the support should help to improve their living and create opportunities. #FutureOfCooperation #blockchain #web3

Read the post: How Blockchain is Contributing to the Humanitarian Sector as of 2025

🛰️ IRIS²: Europe’s Answer to Secure, Sovereign Satellite Internet

Many countries with limited telecom infrastructure are turning to satellite internet—often to Starlink. But relying on a single, geostrategically sensitive provider comes with risks: data sovereignty, dependency, and unpredictable access.

Enter IRIS², the EU’s new secure satellite constellation. Designed for resilience, interoperability, and security, IRIS² aims to provide high-speed, encrypted connectivity across Europe and beyond, especially where cables and towers fail.

Why it matters:

• Digital sovereignty: No more reliance on non-EU providers for critical communications.
• Multi-orbit resilience: Combines LEO and MEO satellites for low latency and global coverage.
• Beyond broadband: Supports crisis management, healthcare, and secure government operations.
• Future-proof: Built for 5G/6G, quantum-safe encryption, and seamless integration with terrestrial networks.

First services start in 2029, full deployment by 2030. A strategic move—not just for Europe, but for any region seeking independent, reliable connectivity.

🚀 Read more

#DigitalSovereignty #SatelliteInternet #IRIS2 #InternationalCooperation

Blockchain based solutions in #InternationalDevelopment seem to slowly pass the trough of disillusionment, entering the slope of enlightenment, following the Cycle of Overblown Hopes and Shattered Dreams defined by a large research and advisory firm.

But that does not mean the same mechanisms may again kick in that lead to the overstated expectations of the hype phase.

In the field of humanitarian aid, the paper ‘Conjuring a Blockchain Pilot: Ignorance and Innovation in Humanitarian Aid’, describes the mechanisms that came into play during the initial hype surrounding blockchain technology. While I do not agree with all of the paper’s arguments, I believe it provides a concise description of the dynamics within the sector that is also relevant to development cooperation.

In the end, technology should not be first; it should be critically assessed, even if one is confident about the opportunities in selected use cases. And design should start with the people and communities, which the support should help to improve their living and create opportunities. #FutureOfCooperation #blockchain #web3

In June, I shared a vision for the future of German government-funded development cooperation. The response was very positive, sparking many insightful discussions. Thank you for your engagement and valuable contributions!

Encouraged by your feedback, I am preparing a revised and refined version in German to continue this important dialogue.

My initial argument centred on the need to distinguish between different approaches to international cooperation in the German context. I proposed three pillars to focus the ministry of economic cooperation and development’s portfolio:

• Community-based work to unlock positive economic and social dynamics - the concept that replaces the traditional „development cooperation“ approach.
• Economic cooperation based on mutual benefit and high ethical standards.
• Support for low-resource countries to exercise “smart sovereignty” in international governance.

I believe that separating these pillars can help better align expectations of all involved parties aligned, which helps to consistently design the modes of cooperation and processes with the different stakeholders.

However, I was also told that some of my messages could be clearer. In the first pillar, I linked the argument for creating this specific pillar with the recommendation to fundamentally change the whole concept of ‘development cooperation’. Therefore, in my revision, I will separate these elements to present a more structured argument.

Interestingly, one aspect that was agreed upon without much debate was the suggestion to focus one column on economic cooperation involving, and even promoting, German and European companies based on high ethical standards.

The most significant revisions will be made to the third pillar, which I initially proposed should focus on the fair participation of low-resource countries in international governance. I intend to expand this perspective to include a broader view covering global public goods in areas such as climate and health. As governance is also a key component there, additional elements may be required to ensure the provision of these goods. This could include financing mechanisms for global public goods, such as health and vaccination initiatives.

I look forward to sharing my revised thoughts with you soon in both German and English, and continuing a productive discussions. Stay tuned!

#DevelopmentCooperation #InternationalGovernance #GlobalPublicGoods #FutureOfCooperation

Two headlines on the same company in last days:

• OpenAI delays the release of its open model, again

• OpenAI’s GPT-5 is coming out soon.

The company needs to stay at the cutting edge of the AI game. Red team capacity - specialists that search for security risks - currently working on Sora, the new video AI model of OpenAI, will have to work on GPT5 after training is finalised. And are obviously not available to work on the already delayed open weight model.

Am I overinterpreting this with regard to the strategic relevance of #open #AI at #OpenAI?

A Polish programmer running on fumes recently accomplished what may soon become impossible: beating an advanced AI model in a head-to-head coding competition. The 10-hour marathon left him “completely exhausted.”

See full article.

This accomplishment is particularly intriguing in light of recent research indicating even reduced developer productivity under certain conditions. And currently some skepticism and the notion that “AI is just hype.” While there’s undoubtedly a lot of buzz around AI, it’s clear that coding practices have already begun to transform and will continue to do so.

However, it’s essential to keep in mind that real-world software development extends beyond mere coding. It involves system integration, collaboration, and strategic thinking. As AI continues to advance, the role of human programmers is evolving, highlighting the need for a diverse skill set and adaptability.

🌟 Another notable addition to European #AI solutions: Lumo, an AI by #Swiss company #Proton 🌟

Lumo delivers a cutting-edge AI assistant service that prioritises your privacy and keeps your data secure.

In a world where AI is becoming ubiquitous, privacy often takes a back seat. However, Lumo, Proton’s new AI assistant, promises to be designed with privacy at its core, ensuring that your conversations remain confidential and that you retain control of your data.

🔒 Privacy-first AI assistant: Lumo does not keep logs of your conversations, and every chat is encrypted. Your sensitive information, whether it’s legal documents or personal emails, is safe and secure.

🌍 European Trust: Interestingly, Proton, a Swiss company trusted by over 100 million people worldwide for hosting their mail and providing other privacy-first services, is now moving its operations to the #EU due to concerns over „legal uncertainty“ in Switzerland. They also pledge to contribute actively to the EU’s EuroStack initiative.

#AI #Privacy #Proton #Lumo #TechInnovation

🔍 Is your software really as free and open as it states? 🔍

🌐 Is it really FOSS? is a website dedicated to evaluating software projects to see if they’re as free and open source as advertised. They’ve assessed 84 projects so far, categorising them into five distinct groups based on their adherence to FOSS principles.

📊 Each project is given a clear rating with a color and symbol, making it easy to see where they stand. From fully FOSS to those that are merely “open washing,” the site provides a standardised profile for each project, detailing their licenses, funding, investors, and business models.

📌 For instance, NextCloud, a file management platform with various related features, is categorised as “FOSS.” This means it fully adheres to free and open source principles, ensuring transparency and user freedom.

💡 The site also highlights “Related Concerns” for each project, explaining potential issues like complex licensing or venture capital funding in a concise manner.

🔗 Check out Is it really FOSS? to see how your favourite projects measure up and to learn more about the importance of true openness in software.

#FOSS #OpenSource #Transparency #Software #Tech #Innovation

This is great news for digital infrastructure and Europe! #France, #Italy, #Germany, and the #Netherlands have signed an agreement to collaborate on building #sovereign digital infrastructure through the European Digital Infrastructure Consortium for Digital Commons (DC-EDIC). #DCEDIC

This initiative aims to develop and maintain strategic digital commons, reducing reliance on external software and enhancing digital autonomy in Europe. The project, headquartered in Paris, marks a significant step towards achieving greater digital sovereignty.

#DigitalSovereignty #TechInnovation #Europe #DigitalInfrastructure