where they have total control of every byte and you have to rent computing time.

Where would this be? 'Cause it ain't here and now.

... unending writer's strike in Hollywood illustrates "the hunger that executives have for automating even creative work, and the lengths to which their workers will go to have some say in that disruption."

... the unrealistic self-worth the writers attach to their 'creative' abilities. "Lengths": read, demands.

Myself, I give a shit. Neither side is producing anything worth a fuck.

how AI companies can sometimes overstate the capabilities of their technology...

They are now being populated

Got a cite for that?

The Tory government policies are very unfortunate, pigheadedly ignoring basic math and reasoning. Backdoors do not work.

Several issues come to mind. Where is the City in this? I can't imagine all the financial infrastructure in the UK will be happy about weaker controls over security. What would Lloyds or Coutts say regarding government mandated backdoors?

UK has set a stronger policy of government support of the private sector with cybersecurity as well. They would be giving that up. NCSC and other governmental organizations and regulators have been remarkably effective at promoting a new path forward for the British economy. This places all their good work in jeopardy.

I must expect Labour will make hay of this as well. The Tories will be destroying good jobs. Britain cannot afford many more tech positions or firms leaving for the US or Canada.