Three news to start your week: November 6
France demands EU corruption-busting watchdog with teeth
(Politico)
France, which recurring scandals have shaken in recent months, wants the European Union to establish an independent watchdog body to combat corruption in EU institutions.
President Emmanuel Macron of France and Secretary of State for European Affairs Laurence Boone are putting out a proposal for an independent anti-corruption commission that would have the authority to monitor public officials' salaries and identify conflicts of interest. They are currently pressuring other EU nations to support the proposal.
To demonstrate their commitment to anti-corruption efforts, the European Commission proposed the establishment of an ethical council with aspirational objectives earlier this year but no enforcement authority to impose standards throughout EU institutions.
Lawmakers Press Costco on China Forced Labor
(Wall Street Journal)
Prominent US legislators are questioning Costco Wholesale about possible connections between merchandise sold in the company's stores and forced labor in China.
In a letter to Costco Chief Executive W. Craig Jelinek, Rep. Chris Smith (R., NJ) and Sen. Jeffrey Merkley (D., Ore.) demanded an explanation from Costco over why the company is selling seafood and security cameras that are allegedly connected to human rights violations in China's Xinjiang province and elsewhere. Smith and Merkley lead the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which consists of legislators and executive branch employees who keep an eye on China's human rights advancements.
Washington has increasingly singled out American corporations to demand information on supply-chain connections and other ties to China amid rising bilateral tensions between the two countries.
Joe Biden moves to compel tech groups to share AI safety test results
(Financial Times)
A sweeping order by Joe Biden aims to reduce the risks posed by Artificial Intelligence. It will require companies whose AI models potentially endanger US national security to disclose how they are maintaining the security of their products.
The US president signed the order last week, marking the broadest action the administration has taken to date against concerns posed by AI, ranging from competitiveness and consumer privacy to national security. The goal of the initiative is to mobilize various Washington-based agencies, such as the homeland security, energy, and commerce departments.
"To realize the promise of AI and avoid the risk, we need to govern this technology; there's no way around it," Biden said at an event at the White House on Monday.
