G7 Science Academies urge action on AI, antibiotics, and agricultural production

The science academies of the G7 countries have issued joint statements and guidance to their respective governments in preparation for the upcoming discussions at the G7 summit in Puglia, Italy in June. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences collaborated with academies from Italy, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom to issue these statements. Under the guidance of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei in Rome, the statements address various topics related to agriculture.

One of the statements focuses on artificial intelligence and society. It emphasizes the importance of globally coordinated and inclusive governance to address the benefits and concerns associated with AI. The statements recommend steps to protect AI systems from cyber and physical attacks, enforce standards for AI-generated content, and promote equity in AI’s future by expanding access to high-performance computing.

Another key statement pertains to health issues. It calls for actions to combat antimicrobial resistance, strengthen national health systems, and mitigate the impact of climate change on health. The statement highlights the need for global initiatives to identify potential novel pathogens and their natural reservoirs in other species, given the weaknesses in health systems revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The security and safety of agricultural production is also addressed in the statements. Recommendations include investing in monitoring and rehabilitating microbial biodiversity in soil, adopting a management model that combines traditional and emerging knowledge and technology options, and promoting trade patterns that support sustainable agriculture and food systems.

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are independent, nonprofit institutions that offer objective analysis and advice to the nation on complex issues in science, engineering, and medicine. They were established under a congressional charter signed by President Lincoln in 1863 to provide guidance on public policy decisions related to these fields.