David Matthews

Italy’s share of grants plummeted, while Belgium, Estonia and Lithuania had an excellent year. Excluded from much of the programme, UK participation fell further, and so did that of China as geopolitical tensions grew

Michel Claessens, who turned whistleblower against the megaproject in 2021, claims it deceived the public by ‘overselling’ fusion. More recently, ITER has dialled down its claims, and Claessens now says it is a ‘worthwhile project’  

Phages that kill bacteria are seen as a possible solution to the waning power of antibiotics. But research funding is lacking and existing routes to approval and commercialisation are not suitable for these therapies, say UK MPs

Leading AI expert Holger Hoos says Europe needs it own Manhattan Project to create a leading AI system and avoid dependence on the US or China. Other experts are supportive, but the cost and politics of such a project are tricky

The latest step in negotiations between Brussels and Bern opens the door for Switzerland to finally start participating in part of Horizon Europe. But there are still political hurdles to clear

With EU relations patched up, UK researchers and policymakers are planning the next moves. There are no firm plans for AI legislation, but an international collaboration fund set up during the wilderness years will continue, and there will be a focus on South American links

Despite last minute lobbying, the legislation will impose extra checks on cutting edge general purpose AI that is owned by a handful of US and Chinese companies. However, there’s no right for researchers to dig into these models

At COP28, US climate envoy John Kerry announced a plan to bolster links with other countries to commercialise the as yet unproven technology. Where geopolitical rivals like China fit into this plan remains unclear

With COP28 underway in the United Arab Emirates, universities and funders face a dilemma over whether and how to investigate stratospheric aerosol injection, a potential last-ditch resort for climate change

With association finally signed off, the UK is making moves to boost its participation in the EU research programme. To get things moving, the government will offer young scientists up to £10K to help with grant applications and is launching a marketing blitz to let researchers across Europe know the UK is back in the game