Microsoft bets on AI healthcare

Key takeaways

European NATO members are considering increasing their defense spending target to 3% of GDP.
Microsoft is launching an AI health unit to address consumer health inquiries, leveraging existing expertise after Suleiman's tenure at Google DeepMind.
New EU and US regulations are pushing companies to confront human rights issues in their supply chains more rigorously.
Saudi Arabia's hosting of the World Cup comes with significant controversy concerning its human rights practices.

Summary

NATO Defense Spending Discussions

European NATO members are engaged in preliminary talks about potentially raising the defense spending target from 2% to 3% of GDP. The background to this discussion includes pressure from the incoming US President Trump, who has long urged European nations to contribute more to NATO. Additionally, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has prompted a reassessment of defense capabilities among European states.

Microsoft's AI Push in Healthcare

Microsoft is expanding into the consumer health sector by developing an AI chatbot aimed at answering health-related inquiries. Mustafa Suleiman, the head of Microsoft's new AI team, previously founded a health unit within Google DeepMind. The focus will be on creating a reliable product that addresses healthcare queries accurately, tapping into an under-resourced health system's desire for efficient solutions post-COVID.

Scrutiny of Human Rights in Supply Chains

New regulations from the EU and the US are shaping corporate responsibility regarding human rights. The EU's corporate sustainability due diligence directive, effective in 2027, requires businesses to identify and mitigate human rights abuses in their supply chains. Meanwhile, the US law focuses on forced labor in goods imported from China, particularly in the Xinjiang region. Both laws highlight a new trajectory for accountability in global business practices.

Soccer World Cup in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has secured the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup amidst controversy related to its human rights record and allegations of sportswashing. There are debates about whether hosting such a high-profile event could lead to potential reforms and improvements in the country's human rights situation.

Show notes

European Nato members are holding talks about increasing the alliance’s target for defence spending, Microsoft’s artificial intelligence head Mustafa Suleyman is building a team focused on consumer health, and US inflation ticked up to 2.7 per cent last month. Plus, new regulations on human rights are forcing global companies to address concerns about modern slavery and tackle problems in their supply chains.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Nato’s European members discuss 3% target for defence spending

Microsoft’s Suleyman hires ex-DeepMind staff for AI health unit

US inflation rose to 2.7% in November

New rules sharpen investment focus on modern slavery

Fifa set to confirm Saudi Arabia as host of 2034 World Cup

The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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