Unlock Access to Editor’s Digest for Free

Roula Khalaf, the Editor of the Financial Times, curates her top picks in this weekly publication, ensuring you stay informed with the most captivating stories.

Good morning! Rishi Sunak’s artificial intelligence summit held at Bletchley Park has ignited a global initiative focused on enhancing AI security, marking a significant step forward. However, this event has also underscored the reality that the United Kingdom’s aspiration to emerge as a frontrunner in this space, rather than merely hosting discussions, may be somewhat optimistic. Below are additional reflections on this complex topic.

Understanding the Impact of AI Regulation Initiatives

The recent executive order from the US government regarding AI regulation, alongside the establishment of a dedicated AI safety institute, is a strategic move designed to emphasize American leadership not only in AI research but also in its governance. As John Thornhill articulates in his insightful column for today’s Financial Times, this action is indicative of the US’s intent to maintain its position as a technological superpower.

Kamala Harris has been recognized for her straightforwardness, even if her diplomatic finesse may not shine through. Standing next to President Joe Biden during the signing of the executive order on Monday, she clearly articulated the nation’s ambition to remain the world’s technological hegemon, asserting its authority over the rules governing this evolving domain.

“Let us be clear: when it comes to AI, America is a global leader. It is American companies that lead the world in AI innovation. It is America that can catalyse global action and build global consensus in a way that no other country can,” Harris stated emphatically. Following this, she traveled to the UK’s Bletchley Park summit on AI safety.

This executive order, which aims to address pressing issues like privacy, security, discrimination, and misinformation, involves over 25 government agencies and represents the most comprehensive effort to regulate the leading AI firms in the world. Its impact is likely to be far more significant than the well-meaning but ultimately ineffective Bletchley Declaration, which was agreed upon this week by 28 countries and the EU.

Nonetheless, Sunak’s AI summit has been pivotal in advancing this agenda. The timing of the US’s decisive actions can be attributed to a desire to assert its dominance. Therefore, in terms of Sunak’s primary objective for this summit, it can be viewed as a productive endeavor for the Prime Minister.

Discussion forums hold substantial value—John highlights that this summit facilitated a rare opportunity for American and Chinese leaders to engage on the same platform. If the only outcome from Sunak’s gathering at Bletchley Park is the establishment of a new event on the global summit calendar for leaders to dialogue, it still represents a noteworthy achievement.

One source of concern that arises in conversations with diplomatic staff in the UK and officials from the Foreign Office is the noticeable absence of numerous back channels and communication avenues that were present during the Cold War, particularly between the US and the Soviet Union.

The Cuban missile crisis prompted the creation of the famous “red phone” (which is not actually red) to enable rapid communication between the White House and the Kremlin. Any initiative that moves towards establishing such communication channels, without triggering a catastrophic crisis, represents a meaningful accomplishment and a lasting legacy for any Prime Minister.

However, this situation poses a significant challenge to the notion that the UK can position itself as a leader in the AI landscape. Not long ago, Sunak expressed frustration over the idea that the UK, described as a mid-sized nation, could influence the global regulations surrounding AI, as highlighted by George Parker and Lucy Fisher in their excellent piece for FT Magazine back in September:

While flying at 35,000 feet over the Atlantic, Rishi Sunak reached a breaking point. This moment was triggered by a question from the Financial Times regarding why the British Prime Minister believed a “mid-sized country” could be in a position to dictate the global rules for artificial intelligence. His eyes flashed with anger as he responded, “That mid-sized country you mentioned,” before he proceeded to emphasize Britain’s role as a global leader in technology.

This brings to light a critical point related to Brexit. Once again, we observe that the aspiration for the UK to chart its own course and regulatory approach, independent of global power dynamics or its regional economic counterpart, is proving to be unrealistic. Navigating this landscape will remain a political and policymaking challenge for Sunak and his future successors.

Weekend Plans: Movie Recommendations

I’m heading out to see How To Have Sex, a new British comedy film that has received positive reviews, even though the title itself raises some doubts in my mind. It should be an interesting experience!

No matter how you choose to spend your weekend, I hope it is a delightful one!

Essential News Highlights for Today

• Interest Rates Maintained | Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey emphasized his determination to raise interest rates further if necessary during a recent statement, as he cautioned that there remains a long way to go before policymakers can feel at ease regarding inflation.

• A Nation on the Brink | As Italy implemented a nationwide lockdown in early March 2020, senior officials in Downing Street reportedly dismissed the situation, “laughing” as their European neighbor struggled to contain the spread of Covid-19. Former Deputy Cabinet Secretary Helen MacNamara revealed during an inquiry that on March 13, she had warned senior officials in Downing Street that there was “no plan.” “I think this country is heading for a disaster,” she stated. Here’s a recap of the revelations from a week filled with troubling testimonies.

• Revising School Travel Regulations | The UK government is set to significantly reduce post-Brexit border paperwork for school trips to France as part of a broader initiative to rejuvenate educational exchanges with Europe, which have declined since the UK’s exit from the EU.

• Cheese Export Concerns | British cheese exporters are sounding alarms over potential financial losses if the UK government fails to secure a deal with Canada that ensures continued access to Canadian markets.