Patrick Vallance is in the news as UK’s top science advisor, commenting on AI, pharma deals, and quantum tech amid UK-US trade tensions.
The UK government announced a £1bn investment in quantum computing to retain talent and compete with US AI dominance. Despite ambitious plans, many UK AI projects face delays and questionable investments, raising concerns over the true scale of infrastructure buildout and economic impact.
The UK and US have finalized a medicines partnership allowing British drug exports to avoid US tariffs and increasing NHS drug spending. Critics warn it risks NHS funding and transparency, while supporters highlight potential benefits for patients and the UK economy. The deal's details remain partly secret, raising concerns about oversight.
UK Biobank has identified listings of de-identified health and genetic records for its 500,000 volunteers on Alibaba platforms. The charity has paused access to its research system, revoked credentials for three Chinese research institutions, worked with Chinese authorities to remove listings, and has referred the incident to the Information Commissioner.