The Financial Times reports five major UK media groups have formed a coalition to develop shared standards and licensing frameworks aimed at controlling and monetising AI use of publisher content.

U.S. diplomats ordered to resist data sovereignty rules. A February 18 diplomatic cable instructs U.S. envoys to counter foreign data localisation and sovereignty initiatives that could restrict cross‑border flows for AI and cloud services, framing such measures as burdensome and risky for cybersecurity and civil liberties (Reuters)

ABC News reports Australia has scrapped a planned permanent AI Advisory Body after months of work, prompting concern that delays and shifts away from mandatory guardrails may narrow the window to put durable safety oversight in place. 

Reuters reports the UK Information Commissioner’s Office joined a multi-authority statement warning about AI-generated images of identifiable people made without consent, urging early safeguards and proactive regulator engagement.