US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday criticised Europe for over-regulating the rapid development of AI and called on the continent to stop trying to rein in big tech, further heightening diplomatic tension between the US and Europe.
Speaking at an AI summit in Paris in his first major overseas trip since his nomination, Mr Vance said the Trump administration was “troubled by the fact that some foreign countries are considering tightening the screws on US tech companies with international footprints”.
Mr Vance, who did not name the countries he was referring to, said that this was “a terrible mistake, not just for the United States of America, but for your own countries”.
Social media platform X, owned by US President Donald Trump's adviser Elon Musk, has been at the heart of a controversy between the US and Europe, where politicians have accused X of pushing far-right views and distorting its algorithms. An investigation was recently launched against X in France.
The European Commission has also sought to curb disinformation and illegal content on social media with its EU's digital services act. This has forced some US companies to block EU users, Mr Vance said. “Is this really the future that we want? Ladies and gentlemen, I think the answer for all of us should be no,” Mr Vance said.
The US and Britain did not sign up to the leaders' declaration at the climax of the summit on "Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence". A UK government spokesperson cited "national interest" for Britain not signing. China, France, Germany and India were among 61 signatories who agreed it is a priority that "AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy" under "international frameworks".
A dozen world leaders attended the two-day summit, shortly after the first measures of the EU AI act came into effect. It bans the use of high-risk uses of AI such as building facial recognition databases developed by scraping images online or through security footage or emotion recognition systems used at the workplace.
“We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it's taking off,” Mr Vance said. “I would like to see that deregulatory flavour making its way into a lot of the conversations into a lot of conversations.”
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron told the summit Europe would cut back on regulation to make it easier for AI to flourish in the region, urging investment in the EU - and more specifically in France. "We will simplify," Mr Macron said. "It's very clear we have to resynchronise with the rest of the world."
In a pitch to big US firms Mr Macron said France would "work together" with others "whatever the geopolitics will be". He added that France's energy grid and large amounts of nuclear energy meant it was more sustainable and had enough capacity to house large new data centres needed to prop up the notoriously power-hungry technology.
He said: "It's very important, in this world, where I have a friend on the other side of the ocean who says 'drill, baby, drill' - here there is no need to drill.
"It's just 'plug, baby, plug'. Electricity is available. You can plug. It's ready."
In her speech on Tuesday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the AI Act was important in providing safety for the EU's 450 million citizens. “Safety is in the interest of business. At the same time, I know, we have to make it easier, we have to cut red tape. And we will,” Ms von der Leyen said.
Ms von der Leyen also pushed back against Mr Trump's announcement of a 25 per cent increase on steel and aluminium import. “Tariffs are taxes – bad for business, worse for consumers. Unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered – they will trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures,” Ms von der Leyen said.
“The EU stands united in defending the interests of its businesses, workers and citizens,” echoed European Council President Antonio Costa on X.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Smart words at Make Smart Cool
Make Smart Cool is not your usual festival. Dubbed “edutainment” by organisers Najahi Events, Make Smart Cool aims to inspire its youthful target audience through a mix of interactive presentation by social media influencers and a concert finale featuring Example with DJ Wire. Here are some of the speakers sharing their inspiration and experiences on the night.
Prince Ea
With his social media videos accumulating more half a billion views, the American motivational speaker is hot on the college circuit in the US, with talks that focus on the many ways to generate passion and motivation when it comes to learning.
Khalid Al Ameri
The Emirati columnist and presenter is much loved by local youth, with writings and presentations about education, entrepreneurship and family balance. His lectures on career and personal development are sought after by the education and business sector.
Ben Ouattara
Born to an Ivorian father and German mother, the Dubai-based fitness instructor and motivational speaker is all about conquering fears and insecurities. His talk focuses on the need to gain emotional and physical fitness when facing life’s challenges. As well managing his film production company, Ouattara is one of the official ambassadors of Dubai Expo2020.
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
New schools in Dubai
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
