Latest news with #EU-style
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Big business says it will transform productivity. Unions say it will destroy jobs. Labor's in the middle
Big business and unions are on a collision course over Labor's plans to curb the use of artificial intelligence – a policy with potential to create another flashpoint with the Trump administration. The federal government has been mulling new laws or regulations to limit the potentially damaging effect of some automated tools, mirroring moves in Europe. The EU attracted the wrath of US Vice-President JD Vance, who said in February that 'excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry'. Australia's most influential corporate lobby group, the Business Council of Australia, is calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to shun calls for heavier regulation stemming from the ethics debates surrounding advances such as OpenAI. The argument to avoid curbs puts the business lobby on the side of Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy, who said last week that AI presented immense economic opportunities and existing regulations should be favoured instead of new rules. But unions are pushing for federal regulations to protect workers, setting up a fresh contest on industrial relations in Labor's second term. BCA boss Bran Black wants schools to teach about AI in primary school and is arguing for large boosts to research in the sector to drive up Australia's sagging rate of productivity and material living standards. Australia must avoid EU-style laws which are too broad, according to Black, a former adviser to ex-NSW premier Dominic Perrottet. 'We should always start from the premise that the application and use of AI is overwhelmingly positive and will increase our collective prosperity,' Black told this masthead. The BCA is pointing to existing applications of AI to prove its potential as an economic boon, including Commonwealth Bank using machines to read documents, BHP using the technology to manage resources and save water, and Salesforce addressing 84 per cent of customer inquiries without human involvement.
The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Big business says it will transform productivity. Unions say it will destroy jobs. Labor's in the middle
Big business and unions are on a collision course over Labor's plans to curb the use of artificial intelligence – a policy with potential to create another flashpoint with the Trump administration. The federal government has been mulling new laws or regulations to limit the potentially damaging effect of some automated tools, mirroring moves in Europe. The EU attracted the wrath of US Vice-President JD Vance, who said in February that 'excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry'. Australia's most influential corporate lobby group, the Business Council of Australia, is calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to shun calls for heavier regulation stemming from the ethics debates surrounding advances such as OpenAI. The argument to avoid curbs puts the business lobby on the side of Treasury secretary Steven Kennedy, who said last week that AI presented immense economic opportunities and existing regulations should be favoured instead of new rules. But unions are pushing for federal regulations to protect workers, setting up a fresh contest on industrial relations in Labor's second term. BCA boss Bran Black wants schools to teach about AI in primary school and is arguing for large boosts to research in the sector to drive up Australia's sagging rate of productivity and material living standards. Australia must avoid EU-style laws which are too broad, according to Black, a former adviser to ex-NSW premier Dominic Perrottet. 'We should always start from the premise that the application and use of AI is overwhelmingly positive and will increase our collective prosperity,' Black told this masthead. The BCA is pointing to existing applications of AI to prove its potential as an economic boon, including Commonwealth Bank using machines to read documents, BHP using the technology to manage resources and save water, and Salesforce addressing 84 per cent of customer inquiries without human involvement.
Politico
28-05-2025
- Health
- Politico
A psychedelics hire at HHS
WASHINGTON WATCH A well-known drug-policy lawyer is joining the Department of Health and Human Services to work on psychedelics policy, according to two sources with knowledge of the move who requested anonymity because it hasn't been announced yet, POLITICO's Natalie Fertig reports. Matt Zorn, most recently a partner at Yetter Coleman, is listed in the HHS employee directory as deputy general counsel. Zorn has been involved in numerous cannabis and psychedelics cases over the years, including representing one of the parties selected to participate in the DEA's administrative law hearings regarding the ongoing effort to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Psychedelics momentum: Zorn's hiring is the latest in a string of encouraging signs for the psychedelic medicine advocates watching to see whether the Trump administration will support their agenda. Supporters were initially heartened when Trump tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS, since he previously expressed support for psychedelics. They were further encouraged when Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins referenced psychedelics on a podcast appearance, on the social media platform X and at a cabinet meeting when Trump pressed him on what he's doing to drive down the high suicide rate among veterans. While the FDA rejected drugmaker Lykos Therapeutics' plan last summer to offer the lab-made MDMA — also known as ecstasy — alongside therapy as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary said that getting answers to patients about psychedelic medicine is a top FDA priority during a News Nation interview earlier this month. 'When it comes to some of these psychedelics and other plant-based therapies, I don't think we're listening to patients,' Makary said. He further promised 'an expeditious and rapid review' of data from forthcoming psychedelics clinical trials. 'I don't think it's a silver bullet, but we owe it to people who are suffering to do everything we can as a government to get a decision on the results as soon as they are available.' WELCOME TO FUTURE PULSE This is where we explore the ideas and innovators shaping health care. There's a limit to how much California Gov. Gavin Newsom is willing to restrict artificial intelligence, an industry on whose tax revenues the state's coffers are increasingly reliant, our California colleagues report. Asked by Sutter Health CEO Warner Thomas on Tuesday how the state should regulate AI, Newsom cautioned against overregulation. 'We have to be very careful in that respect,' Newsom said. 'No one is calling for an EU-style regulation,' he added. 'Some of you might be. We're certainly not.' Share any thoughts, news, tips and feedback with Danny Nguyen at dnguyen@ Carmen Paun at cpaun@ Ruth Reader at rreader@ or Erin Schumaker at eschumaker@ Want to share a tip securely? Message us on Signal: Dannyn516.70, CarmenP.82, RuthReader.02 or ErinSchumaker.01. WORLD VIEW France is a step closer to legalizing assisted dying, our POLITICO colleagues in Europe report. On Tuesday, the French National Assembly voted 305-199 to pass a bill granting the 'right to assistance in dying for adult patients afflicted with a serious illness who have requested it.' Big picture: France joins a growing list of Western European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland, which are moving toward enabling people to end their lives under strict conditions. In the U.K., British members of Parliament voted in favor of legalization in November. The legislation is nearing its final phase. Putting safeguards in place: Those who oppose assisted dying warn such laws can endanger vulnerable people, especially young people and those with mental health conditions. The French bill includes several safeguards against those risks: — Patients must be over 18 and either French nationals or permanent residents. — They must have a 'serious and incurable' illness that's both life-threatening and has reached an advanced or life-limiting stage. — Their suffering, whether physical or psychological, must be considered 'unbearable' or 'resistant to treatment.' — Patients must be capable of giving informed consent and must self-administer the lethal medication, unless unable to do so. — A patient's doctor will make the final call. The legislation requires that doctors consult with at least one other medical professional who specializes in a patient's pathology, as well as with a health care worker who was involved in the person's care. What's next: The French bill will be debated in the Senate, which is controlled by a conservative majority that could seek to amend or remove several provisions. If the parliamentary process fails to produce an agreement between the two chambers, President Emmanuel Macron — who promised the legislation during his 2022 campaign — has suggested the issue could be put to the public via a referendum, although constitutional experts have questioned the legality of such a move. French lawmakers also unanimously green-lighted a separate bill to improve palliative care in France.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Canada gets its first-ever AI minister, what makes this appointment important
Canada acknowledged the growing importance of AI and the country has appointed its first-ever Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation . The newly appointed minister, Evan Solomon , a former journalist, will head this new portfolio. This move by Prime Minister Mark Carney signals Canada's intent to play a leading role in the development and regulation of AI technologies. Why the appointment of AI minister is important The creation of this dedicated ministry reflects the increasing recognition of AI's transformative potential across various sectors, including the economy, healthcare, and governance. Previously, AI responsibilities were largely under the industry portfolio. Experts believe that having a minister focused specifically on AI will allow for more concentrated efforts and a streamlined approach to policy development and implementation. "The extremely positive thing is that this signals to the world how serious this government is about AI," Rob Goehring, CEO of the industry association AI Network of B.C. (AInBC) told Business Intelligence for BC. Evan Solomon's role as AI minister by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like KÖLN 5% Zinsen sichern bevor Banken den Geldhahn zudrehen Attraktive Bankzinsen Undo Solomon, a former journalist and newly elected MP from Toronto Centre, will oversee: AI policy development , including potential regulations for high-impact AI systems. Investment in AI training, adoption, and commercialization to boost Canada's tech sector. Balancing AI innovation with privacy and security concerns, ensuring responsible AI deployment. It is excepted that Solomon's appointment could revive AI governance efforts, potentially aligning Canada's policies with EU-style tech regulations.
