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Vance:
Artificial intelligence is an “opportunity that the Trump administration
will not waste,” and Britain refuses to sign the international
declaration on new technologies
12/02/2025
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle
East Times Int'l: The United Kingdom and the United States abstained
from signing an international agreement on artificial intelligence
during the global summit held in Paris.
The statement, signed by
dozens of countries including France, China and India, included a pledge
to take an “open,” “inclusive” and “ethical” approach to developing
this type of technology.
In a brief statement issued on the matter,
the British government said it did not add its name to the list due to
concerns about national security and “global governance.”
His
comments appeared to be at odds with the view of French President
Emmanuel Macron, who has defended the need for more regulation.
Macron said during the summit: “We need these rules so that artificial intelligence can move forward.”
The
UK has previously been a pioneer of the idea of AI safety, with
then-prime minister Rishi Sunak hosting the world’s first AI safety
summit in November 2023.
Andrew Dudfield, head of AI at fact-checking
organisation Full Fact, said the UK government’s decision not to sign
the Paris AI summit’s final statement puts it at risk.
 “By refusing
to sign the international AI statement today, the UK government is
risking its hard-earned credibility as a global leader in safe, ethical
and trusted AI innovation,” he said.
However, the UK AI Trade
Organisation – a trade body representing companies working in the sector
across the country – said the government’s decision was correct.
 “While
we agree with the argument that environmental responsibility is
important, it seems important for us to ask how this responsibility is
balanced against the AI sector’s increasing energy needs,” said Tim
Flagg, chief executive of the organisation.
“The UK organisation
cautiously welcomes the government’s refusal to sign this statement as a
sign that it will consider more practical solutions it has previously
called for, while reserving opportunities for collaboration with our
partners in the US,” he added.
What does the agreement say?
The
statement, signed by 60 countries, said the agreement aims to reduce
digital divides by improving access to AI and ensuring that technology
is developed “transparently” with “security, safety and trustworthiness”
in mind.
The final statement noted a desire to “make AI sustainable for the planet and its people” and to give it greater priority.
The
agreement also notes that the issue of AI’s energy use – which experts
have warned could reach its peak in small countries in the coming years –
was discussed for the first time at the summit.
“Looking at the
summit declaration, it’s hard to say exactly what the government is not
agreeing to in this statement,” said Michael Birtwistle, associate
director at the Ada Lovelace Institute.
The government said in a
statement that it “agrees with many of the statements made by the
leaders at the summit” but found some shortcomings.
A UK government
spokesman said: “We felt that the declaration did not provide sufficient
practical clarity on global governance, nor did it provide adequate
answers to the tougher questions around national security and the
challenge posed by AI.”
He added that the government had signed other
agreements at the Paris AI Action Summit, including on sustainability
and cybersecurity.
The government also stressed that the Trump administration was not behind its refusal to sign the agreement.
“This
is not about the United States, it is about our national interests and
ensuring a balance between opportunity and security,” the spokesman
said.
Balancing Acts
It comes amid discussions at the summit about the impact of AI development on society, the environment and governance.
Policymakers,
executives and diplomats have been considering ways to harness the
economic benefits of AI innovations while addressing the risks of the
technology.
It all started when Macron posted a series of fake parody videos of himself in popular films and TV series on social media.
“This
summit is about action, and that’s exactly what we need now,” European
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday.
She added
that Europe’s approach to AI, which was promoted throughout the summit,
would also emphasize the importance of innovation, collaboration and
“embracing the power of open source technology.”
The meeting also comes at a time of heightened trade tensions between the United States and Europe.
President
Trump has decided to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to
the United States, a move that will affect the United Kingdom and the
European Union.
The United Kingdom is unlikely to respond
immediately, as it seeks to tread a delicate path to maintain good
relations with the Trump administration while building closer ties with
the European Union.

Weather forecasters brace for 50 degree heatwave in parts of WADUNCAN EVANS
04/02/2025
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: Temperatures could soar to 50 degrees this week in remote parts of Australia as a severe heatwave washes over the continent.
Weatherzone said extreme heat was forecast for the Pilbara and Kimberley districts in WA, with possible readings of 50C on Friday.
The forecaster said a combination of “stagnant or slow-moving weather systems” was allowing heat to built up.
“To the southwest of WA lies a strong high pressure system, which has been directing furnace-like air from Australia’s interior towards the WA coast for several days and will continue to do so,” Weatherzone stated this week.
“In waters off northwest WA, Tropical Cyclone Taliah is also playing a part by warming nearby areas of the atmosphere as it releases latent heat energy.”
It comes as the country expereiences a ynamic mix of severe weather this week, with flooding rain in northern Australia, bushfires in southern Australia, heatwaves baking part of every state and territory, severe thunderstorms in several states, and two severe tropical cyclones spinning over Australian waters.
According to Weatherzone an intense heat that has been building over the Australian continent and its surrounding oceans over the poast two months has created an ideal environment for volatile weather.
A very hot air mass is sloshing around the country, causing temperatures to reach the mid-to-high 40s over several states.
 “Overnight minimum temperatures in the high teens to low twenties over southern parts, increasing to mid to high twenties in the north.
“Severe heatwave conditions over western and southern parts of SA will contract to northwest SA and gradually ease over the coming days.
“Locations likely to be impacted include Bordertown, Clare, Jamestown, Narracoorte, Renmark and the Barossa Valley.”
The hot air over southern Australia is also helping produce thunderstorms. Storms are likely to develop over parts of Vic, Tas and southern NSW on Tuesday before focusing on NSW, the ACT and northeast Vic on Wednesday.
Severe thunderstorms are likely on both days

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