EU Approves Law to Regulate AI & This Robot Can Clear Space Debris | WEF | Top Stories of the Week

This week's top stories of the week include:

0:15 EU approves law to regulate AI – The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act will come fully into force in 2026. Experts say it could set a global benchmark for AI regulation. The Act categorizes AI systems according to their potential risks to people’s health, safety and fundamental rights. AI systems which the EU considers unacceptably risky will be banned outright.

2:00 This robot can clear space debris – The robot was developed by start-up Astroscale, with help from Airbus. It can grab old satellites and other space debris, then nudge them towards the Earth’s atmosphere where they burn up. Astroscale says a 'throwaway culture' has prevailed since the start of the space age. More than 9,000 tonnes of space junk is currently orbiting Earth, says NASA.

3:32 Coral bleaching impacts Thai fishers – Sommay Singsura is a fisherman in Chanthaburi province, Thailand. He has been fishing from Chao Lao Beach for 30 years, continuing the legacy of his father and grandfather. But rising sea temperatures are threatening his livelihood. Sea surface temperatures in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand have reached a record high of 32.73°C in May 2024. Underwater readings are even warmer clocking in at around 33°C.

6:48 Experts’ outlook on global economy – The outlook for the global economy is improving, according to our survey of more than 60 chief economists. Just 17% predict a worsening economic environment this year, compared with 56% who had a gloomy outlook back in January. The economists strike a note of ‘cautious optimism’.

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