David Matthews

With its promise of emissions-free, abundant power, fusion energy could play a key role in reaching zero carbon targets. But critics say the technology won’t arrive in time and the money would be better invested elsewhere

Expert advisory council says liberalising research and cultivation of gene edited crops could create export barriers to the EU. But the risk is worth it, given the EU seems likely to soften its rules too

Global dividing lines are taking shape over quantum science, with questions over when and how to collaborate, and at what stage of development.

With the European parliament and the Council about to examine the proposed AI act, there is some concern the EU will squander the current high level of confidence it will regulate in the public interest

With negotiations stalled, Swiss universities fears hiatus could be at least as damaging as the 2014 – 2016 ban from EU research. National schemes fail to recognise the value of collaboration and won’t fill the gap

Informal discussions are taking place on the terms of possible association, but at a launch event for Horizon Europe today there was little evident enthusiasm from Australia and New Zealand’s representatives to get that involved in the research programme.