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AI, Trump and GN

(14 Posts)
petra Thu 18-Jun-26 10:34:15

Whitewavemark2

Getting back to USA and AI dominance. (Whilst I’m ready waiting for the taxi in an hour)

One of the really worrying things is this question posed by Rory Stewart

“What if the central technology of the next century, on which everything will depend - our government, defence, economy - turns out to be something we can only rent, something which America can withdraw whenever it wants?”

His comments were prompted by the US government’s decision to ban the AI company Anthropic from sharing its latest models with other countries, including the UK.

The models - as Rory, who served in the military and as chair of the defence committee - explained, could enable users to mount cyber attacks on national security systems.

The decision to ban other countries from accessing them is, he said, “like America having steam and electricity when nobody else has it.”

The ban also raises a pressing question about the state of the UK’s military reliance on the US, Rory said. Is Britain ready for modern warfare without support from America? And if not, how do we get ready?

Modern warfare is about new software every six weeks, new hardware every six months.”

The developments mean we are living through the “biggest change in armed force construction and operation in 150 years,” General Sir Richard Barrons, who co-wrote the Government’s Strategic Defence Review last year, told us.

Yet Britain is struggling to adapt. “Though almost everybody knows how to make the changes, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) just can’t seem to get started,” Sir Richard said.

The above is all part of the reasons John Healy resigned. we are not looking at the next way to defend our country.
I have every faith in the new minister, but will he be able to convince Downing Street or the treasury, I very much doubt it.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 18-Jun-26 10:06:43

Getting back to USA and AI dominance. (Whilst I’m ready waiting for the taxi in an hour)

One of the really worrying things is this question posed by Rory Stewart

“What if the central technology of the next century, on which everything will depend - our government, defence, economy - turns out to be something we can only rent, something which America can withdraw whenever it wants?”

His comments were prompted by the US government’s decision to ban the AI company Anthropic from sharing its latest models with other countries, including the UK.

The models - as Rory, who served in the military and as chair of the defence committee - explained, could enable users to mount cyber attacks on national security systems.

The decision to ban other countries from accessing them is, he said, “like America having steam and electricity when nobody else has it.”

The ban also raises a pressing question about the state of the UK’s military reliance on the US, Rory said. Is Britain ready for modern warfare without support from America? And if not, how do we get ready?

Modern warfare is about new software every six weeks, new hardware every six months.”

The developments mean we are living through the “biggest change in armed force construction and operation in 150 years,” General Sir Richard Barrons, who co-wrote the Government’s Strategic Defence Review last year, told us.

Yet Britain is struggling to adapt. “Though almost everybody knows how to make the changes, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) just can’t seem to get started,” Sir Richard said.

petra Thu 18-Jun-26 09:30:27

Maremia

I remember you saying that petra. Is there a 'safe' way to raise suspicions with outputting our own GN existence in danger?

In a word, No.
As I tell my children, it is what it is.🤷‍♀️
Back to thread topic..

nanna8 Thu 18-Jun-26 09:28:06

I don’t get why GHQ would suspend anyone on the say so of one other person. It is a mystery to me. 🤷‍♀️

Maremia Thu 18-Jun-26 09:23:46

I remember you saying that petra. Is there a 'safe' way to raise suspicions with outputting our own GN existence in danger?

Cossy Thu 18-Jun-26 08:59:31

I find AI utterly fascinating and very interesting.

Whilst wary and think it should not be “weaponised” I don’t fear AI.

In terms of Trump, my only positive thought about him is he’s 80 and clearly physically unwell as well as completely mentally unstable, so hopefully won’t be fit enough to continue governing (imo, he shouldn’t be in charge now!)

People like Trump should be nowhere near the “button” for nuclear weapons, AI or anything else that can be weaponised. He should stick to crayons and rounded scissors!

Whitewavemark2 Thu 18-Jun-26 08:47:14

Yes and U.K. models which are superior to the European models are also 6-18 months behind.

But that is massive - and to even begin to catch up as has been estimated it will need at least £700bn and a huge energy input which we simply don’t have.

I think that the only way is for europe as a whole to develop its own model - without a competitor to the other two we are really up a gum tree.

FlowerFan Thu 18-Jun-26 08:38:10

Whitewavemark2

flowerfan

Have you looked at what is needed to start such stuff let alone the investment costs etc.

Europe is years away, meanwhile the USA is rushing along at the speed of sound.

Which ones are at Anthropics level?

Sorry, I misspoke - the AI models aren't yet at Anthropic's levels but are only about 6 to 12 months behind. The Euro leaders are the Mistral models.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 18-Jun-26 08:04:58

Actually I feel a bit stupid as I’m just off to get ready to go on holiday- so will almost certainly not be able to add more to this thread.

So I apologise in advance - got carried away😊😊

Whitewavemark2 Thu 18-Jun-26 08:00:44

flowerfan

Have you looked at what is needed to start such stuff let alone the investment costs etc.

Europe is years away, meanwhile the USA is rushing along at the speed of sound.

Which ones are at Anthropics level?

petra Thu 18-Jun-26 07:59:24

and wonder if GNHQ have ways of identifying an AI platform
I don’t know if their IT system has been updated but they preferred to believe a member who reported me for calling out a BOT and suspending me.
The thread continued for a while until it was taken down.
No apology to me for the suspension.

FlowerFan Thu 18-Jun-26 07:57:18

I wouldn't be in any way concerned about this, it's all down to Trump wanting to retain control and use OpenAI instead, because OpenAI haven't said "no" to his demands.

AI will rise elsewhere, in Europe for example there's already some as good as Anthropic's AIs, and there's also a lot of open source developments ongoing which Trump can't touch.

So sit back, relax, and anticipate the arrival of our future AI overlords. You never know, they may do a better job than humans (they couldn't do any worse).

Whitewavemark2 Thu 18-Jun-26 07:44:32

I do find this fascinating. My understanding has not left ground level, but even I can see the way these chat bots have “learned” almost on a daily basis, and are getting better and better.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 18-Jun-26 07:38:08

I wasn’t sure where to put this, but opted for N&P because if Trump’s recent actions.

First I would to say that I am perhaps wrong in this, but I have noticed a few posts that sound exactly like ChatGPT and wonder if we are in fact talking to a computer.

Second does it matter? - personally I think it does, for all sorts of reasons, and wonder if GNHQ have ways of identifying an AI platform. I would however like to apologise profusely if I am incorrect.

Lastly and this is why I put this on this forum.

I don’t know if you have noticed (actually almost certainly you have) but things like ChatGPT, Claude and other AIs are frequently updated, getting more and more powerful each time.

It is thought that very soon ( a year or so) AI will be able to do everything that a human can do except the more physical stuff. Then it is thought it will be a short leap to being able to out- think a human.

Now why does this matter?

Every AI platform is owned by mostly the USA with China trying to catch up. AI will be used by everything, and without this mighty tool it will be like living in the 17th century compared to today for example.

Now here’s the thing

Trump has stopped Anthropic from exporting its latest powerful model. It is only allowed to be used by USA citizens - even those living in the USA - like Silicon Valley immigrants who are not USA citizens are barred.

This is a massive development.

How on Earth europe deals with this I’m not sure as it is estimated that it will take something like £700bn initial investment, let alone all the energy which we are not able at present to deliver.

Trump has us over a barrel if he pursues this mighty threat.