In our good news round-up, we feature three positive stories from across the week.
From a historic AI treaty aiming to keep technology on the right side of humanity, to groundbreaking strides in healthcare, this week has brought a series of positive developments that showcase ingenuity, international cooperation, and hope for the future. Here are our favourite positive stories from the week of 2 to 8 September, 2024.
Breakthrough drug brings new hope to those with rare tumour-causing disease
Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, a rare genetic condition that affects just 800 people in the UK, now has a treatment available for use on the NHS. The drug, belzutifan, which is taken as a pill three times a day, could dramatically improve the quality of life of people in Britain living with the incurable disease — which causes successive tumours to grow in major organs.
The genetic condition causes the body to overproduce proteins which starve cells of oxygen, causing normal cells to turn into tumour cells. People with VHL often don’t live past their 60s, due to fatal brain or spinal cord tumours.
NHS patient Rachel Amner, 49, from southeast London, said: “My grandfather was blinded by VHL tumours before dying from a brain tumour. Between myself and four family members with VHL, we’ve had over 20 major surgeries, including 12 brain surgeries, three spinal surgeries, the removal of a kidney, pancreas and three eyes removed — my cousin lost both and is now totally blind.
“Living with VHL means that our family lives with the anxiety of not knowing where the next life-changing blow is coming from.
“Belzutifan gives us the reassurance of stabilising our conditions without crushing our life hopes with further tumour diagnoses.”
The only treatment for the condition before belzutifan was major surgery or radiotherapy.
Read more of the story here.
MUST-WATCH PROGRAMME: Rare Conditions: The Stories Behind the Stats
Primark partners with Verte to launch in-store ‘Swap Shops’ for pre-loved fashion
Primark is introducing a new sustainable fashion initiative in collaboration with circular clothing company Verte, launching its first in-store Swap Shops as a trial during London Fashion Week.
The pop-ups, launching throughout September in select Primark stores across the UK — including London, Manchester and Birmingham — allow customers to exchange adult clothing items, and refresh their wardrobes in an eco-friendly way, rather than buying new.
The first Primark ‘Swap Shop’ event kicks off on Friday 13th September at Primark in Westfield Stratford, London, as a part of London Fashion Week’s City-Wide Celebration 2024.
The pilot program aims to explore how swapping could become a permanent feature in Primark stores.
Founder of Verte, Jessica Brunt said: “Swapping is a great way to access pre-loved in an affordable and inclusive way and the more people who are exposed to the idea, the better it is for the planet and for the future of shopping.”
Read more of the story here.
Countries sign world’s first legally-binding treaty on AI
On Thursday this week (5 September, 2024), several countries, including EU member states, the UK, and the US, signed a landmark international treaty on AI. The treaty, known as the AI Convention, seeks to ensure that companies and organisations adhere to human rights and the rule of law when using AI technologies.
This serves as the world’s first international, legally-binding treaty; a legal framework that is distinct from the EU AI Act, which specifically regulates the development, deployment, and use of AI systems within the European Union.
The treaty is the result of two years’ work by the Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI), bringing together 46 Council of Europe member states, the European Union, and 11 non-member states such as Argentina, Canada and Japan, alongside representatives from the private sector, civil society, and academia.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “This convention is a major step to ensuring that these new technologies can be harnessed without eroding our oldest values, like human rights and the rule of law.”
“Artificial Intelligence has the capacity to radically improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of public services, and turbocharge economic growth[…]. However, we must not let AI shape us – we must shape AI.”
While critics have noted that the treaty’s enforcement is limited to monitoring without sanctions, it represents a significant global step in regulating AI amidst various national and regional initiatives.
COMING SOON: AI & Big Data: Empowering Tomorrow
