Achieving a ‘Good AI Society’: Comparing the Aims and Progress of the EU and the US

Over the past few years, there has been a proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) strategies, released by governments around the world, that seek to maximise the benefits of AI and minimise potential harms. This article provides a comparative analysis of the European Union (EU) and the United States’ (US) AI strategies and considers (i) the visions of a ‘Good AI Society’ that are forwarded in key policy documents and their opportunity costs, (ii) the extent to which the implementation of each vision is living up to stated aims and (iii) the consequences that these differing visions of a ‘Good AI Society’ have for transatlantic cooperation. The article concludes by comparing the ethical desirability of each vision and identifies areas where the EU, and especially the US, need to improve in order to achieve ethical outcomes and deepen cooperation.

EU-US security relations enter new era under Biden

Significance The United States has re-established its commitment to NATO and requested to participate in the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Military Mobility project. Among other things, the EU and United States have agreed to initiate a new dialogue on security and defence. However, the disorderly withdrawal from Afghanistan underscores the challenges ahead. Impacts Despite initial progress, there is much potential for EU-US conflict, over issues such as trade and China. Re-imagining NATO’s role could be a critical area of debate between the United States and Europeans over the coming years. Victory for the Greens in Germany's federal election might increase the scope for transatlantic cooperation on China.

June summits signal progress on EU-US trade ties

Significance The two sides have suspended tariffs arising from their dispute over subsidies to Airbus and Boeing, are working on an international deal on corporate taxation and have established a high-level council to discuss issues at the nexus of security, technology and trade. Impacts A major aim of closer transatlantic cooperation is better coordination of policies with respect to China. Closer transatlantic cooperation over China might soften US opposition to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. It will be difficult for the US government to pass legislation concerning trade given the Democrats' precarious majority in both houses.

2020—Going Viral

The rapid spread of Covid-19 transformed lives all across the world, causing restrictions on individual liberties and cross-border movements. Transatlantic travel came to a virtual halt in the spring of 2020. The coronavirus caused a severe and rapid economic contraction. Its politicization exacerbated existing divides within societies and polities. Yet, in some ways the most surprising effect of the pandemic may turn out to be the limited impact it had on the structural bonds between America and Europe. Talk about NATO’s demise took a back seat and the momentum for increased transatlantic cooperation in science and innovation picked up. In November 2020, Donald Trump’s defeat in the US presidential elections—perhaps the most closely observed political event of all time—signaled a possible return to less divisive public discourse. Even when infected by a virus, Pax Transatlantica endured.

Victory and the West

This chapter examines the state of transatlantic relations at the end of the Cold War. It takes particular issue with the notion that the Cold War had been a golden age of transatlantic cooperation. The Cold War had witnessed the emergence of a transatlantic community. But that community had been in a perpetual state of inner conflict and disagreement. NATO had almost fallen apart in the 1960s when France exited the alliance’s unified military command. Conflicts over burden-sharing and out-of-area engagements, over national subsidies and trade rules had been frequent. Before the Berlin Wall came down, the alliance had already survived, even thrived, through many internal crises. Paradoxically, when the Cold War in Europe ended, the “West” was at the same time more diverse and more united than at any time in the past.

UK foreign policy is looking towards the Indo-Pacific

Significance Public statements by Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab have made clear that an ‘Indo-Pacific tilt’ -- focusing more effort and resources on the region “east from India” -- will be at the heart of that strategy. Impacts Climate change is one area where the United Kingdom, United States and the EU can significantly bolster transatlantic cooperation. Brexit provides an opportunity to reform the E3 group so as to broaden the issues it cooperates on and potentially widen its membership. The EU’s willingness to be open to looser diplomatic arrangements could be crucial in bolstering foreign policy cooperation with London.

Transatlantic relations after the Covid-19 pandemic

This article analyses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the relationship between Europe and the US, and provides suggestions on how transatlantic cooperation should be taken forward. The pandemic has increased public distrust of the US in Europe due to the way the former has chosen to respond to COVID-19. However, this article argues that the pandemic has mainly accelerated existing transatlantic differences rather than creating new ones. To restore the transatlantic relationship, Europe and the US should strengthen their cooperation on common challenges such as climate change, health security, China, terrorism and migration. COVID-19 has highlighted the limitations of nationalist and unilateral policies in confronting global challenges. It may, in the end, provide the impetus for a rejuvenated transatlantic partnership and build a renewed sense of transatlantic solidarity.

Foreign Policy Strategy of the Fifth Republic: a Timid Turn towards Greater Eurasia

The article clarifies the prerequisites and circumstances ofFrancemovement in the direction of selfidentification as a Western economy. Based on an analysis of the foreign policy’s views and practical efforts of theFifthRepublic’s Presidents, the authors note the country's transition from opposing the expansion of partnership withGreat Britainand military cooperation with theUnited Stateswithin the North Atlantic Treaty’s framework to overcoming deep disagreements with NATO to restore membership in its military organization. The “Westernization” ofFrance’s security and defense policies is also explained by its move from national autonomy to understanding the importance of ensuring the country's sovereignty through active participation in European integration. Describing the “proWestern“ course ofFranceat the present stage, the authors pay attention to President E. Macron's skepticism concerning Euro-Atlantic solidarity and the deterioration of the conditions for transatlantic cooperation with theUnited States. According to the authors’ opinion, the current foreign policy strategy ofFranceis distinguished by Eurocentrism, as well as its desire for a strategic partnership with theRussian Federation.