Verity Harding

“For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled.”

— Richard Feynman, quoted in @adamhigginbotham.bsky.social’s incredible book about the Challenger space shuttle disaster.

Late to this, but it’s a great piece from Stephen on the comparisons between the NYC subway and the Internet 👇

🥳

Opinion | We Warned About the First China Shock. The Next One Will Be Worse.

This is a v good piece by @davidautor.bsky.social who has done consistently interesting work on AI over the past decade+—not just jumping on a bandwagon. It avoids the usual hysteria about China and makes a calm and pragmatic argument for the way forward. Directed at the US but useful for UK too.

xAI is supposedly worth $80 billion. It was loaned $10 billion at that valuation in the last few months.

While Washington and Beijing race for AI supremacy, Southeast Asia is turning the art of governance into a source of geopolitical power.
New AIxGEO analysis, led by @verityharding.bsky.social, reveals how ASEAN has transformed the bloc into a pivotal force in global AI policy.
🧵1/4

While the US & China race for AI supremacy, ASEAN is quietly offering a radical alternative: governance as power.

A must-read new piece from AIxGEO, my research group at Cambridge, on Southeast Asia’s approach of collaboration, not competition, as forming the basis of AI power.

🧵1/ Artificial Intelligence could transform UK public services — but it must be introduced responsibly to avoid damaging public trust, experts warn.

A new report by @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social & Wendy Hall calls for urgent action. 👇

www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/publications...

New Essay w/ Hayoung Seo: "It's Not Optimal"
On the value of human excess in an age of AI

Joint Review of:
1 Co-Intelligence @emollick.bsky.social
2 The Last Human Job @allisonpugh.bsky.social
3 AI Needs You @verityharding.bsky.social
4 The Importance of Being Educable by Leslie Valiant

Tomorrow is the last day of the 50% off sale at Princeton University Press -- why not stock up for some summer reading, including on a positive and practical vision for the future devoid of fear-mongering and hype (if I do say so myself!)

This time last year I was on stage at the wonderful @hayfestival.bsky.social being interviewed by @jonniepenn.bsky.social about (what was then) my new book “AI Needs You”. It was a dream to be there and to be the third best- selling book of the day! Good luck to all authors going this year 📚

This time last year I was on stage at the wonderful @hayfestival.bsky.social being interviewed by @jonniepenn.bsky.social about (what was then) my new book “AI Needs You”. It was a dream to be there and to be the third best- selling book of the day! Good luck to all authors going this year 📚

In his thread Suresh lists important bills that will fail if the US moratorium on AI regulation passes. I’m against excessive regulation too, but history shows that introducing tightly scoped limits on emerging tech can actually increase trust and growth in the long run, so a ban is self-defeating

Aleks’ latest research is a much needed correction to the endless US vs China vs Europe narrative in AI. APEC—worth 62% of global GDP—has its own fascinating, pragmatic approach. This shows how the AI arms race narrative distorts our understanding of what will actually influence the future of AI.

Aleks’ latest research is a much needed correction to the endless US vs China vs Europe narrative in AI. APEC—worth 62% of global GDP—has its own fascinating, pragmatic approach. This shows how the AI arms race narrative distorts our understanding of what will actually influence the future of AI.

Beyond western paradigms: APEC's pragmatic alternative to AI governance - Bennett Institute for Public Policy As Western powers debate universal AI regulation, the diverse economies of APEC have forged a distinctly practical governance model - by balancing regional coordination with practical deployment and n...

New post from my AI & Geopolitics Project!

While most discourse is dominated by US vs EU vs China — APEC, worth 62% global GDP, is quietly moving ahead with pragmatic AI governance and collaboration.

Great work and research from @alturobov.bsky.social

Beyond western paradigms: APEC's pragmatic alternative to AI governance - Bennett Institute for Public Policy As Western powers debate universal AI regulation, the diverse economies of APEC have forged a distinctly practical governance model - by balancing regional coordination with practical deployment and n...

Do read this excellent piece from @alturobov.bsky.social, research lead at AI & Geopolitics, my research group at Cambridge. What Aleks brilliantly shows is that while many Western countries are stuck arguing about AI nationalism, APEC nations have built a pragmatic and diverse governance model

Heads up!

Princeton Uni Press has an incredible sale on at the moment. A whopping 50% of my book, and many other amazing ones too. Check out their website below for more.

And thank you to @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social for this wonderful review!

Britain’s most historic trees From Newton’s apple tree to the oldest yew in the country, Alice Thomson celebrates the nation’s most iconic species. Plus: 13 of the UK’s most extraordinary trees

If you need a break from politics and war may I recommend this beautiful piece on British trees by @alicettimes.bsky.social - good for the soul.

The forthcoming Bennett School of Public Policy will launch a new Masters course in Digital Policy, & deliver Cambridge’s well-established Masters in Public Policy, to help foster a generation of tech-savvy & socially aware policymakers.

www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/bennett...

Fantastic news!

Strongly recommend that you read this concise but brilliant speech that Prof Nelson delivered in front of world leaders in Paris.

“Three Fallacies of AI”

It’s very smart of Macron to decide to co-chair the Paris AI summit with Modi. India will increasingly become a big player in AI and shrewd European politicians will want to aim broader than just spending all their time trying to ape/woo Silicon Valley.

Important post from Rory which highlights how difficult and complex the challenges are when trying to integrate AI into public services, even with strong political will and backing. Also the problems with govt procurement: small UK AI firms should be supported by govt choosing to buy from them.

Important post from Rory which highlights how difficult and complex the challenges are when trying to integrate AI into public services, even with strong political will and backing. Also the problems with govt procurement: small UK AI firms should be supported by govt choosing to buy from them.

It means the world to hear this from readers. It’s both an unsettling and and exciting time for AI and I’m so pleased my book is able to set the moment in context, illuminate some of what’s going on, and offer routes forward. Do share (and write reviews) if you’ve enjoyed it too! & Thank you Justin!

Opinion | Hank Azaria’s ‘Simpsons’ Voices Won’t Be Fully Replicated by A.I. Soon enough, artificial intelligence may be able to recreate the sounds — but there will be something missing.

This is a wonderful, humble and thoughtful piece from Hank Azaria on whether AI will ever be able to replicate what he does. And it’s brought to life with amazing interactive short clips of him performing all his Simpson’s voices - highly recommend!

It means the world to hear this from readers. It’s both an unsettling and and exciting time for AI and I’m so pleased my book is able to set the moment in context, illuminate some of what’s going on, and offer routes forward. Do share (and write reviews) if you’ve enjoyed it too! & Thank you Justin!

Thank you Justin, I’m so delighted it resonated with you 🙏

@verityharding.bsky.social Thank you for this absolute gift. “AI Needs You” is a must read for anyone interested in a broad, socially conscious and historical view of how to think about this important tech. And it is so beautifully written. Top of the pile for a reason!!