FT News Briefing US companies love AI. But can’t say why
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Sep 24, 2025 The CEO of Eli Lilly criticizes the UK's drug pricing as a barrier to innovation. Trump’s more confrontational stance at the UN contrasts sharply with his earlier remarks. The OECD suggests potential interest rate cuts as the US economy slows. Meanwhile, many US corporations tout AI's potential but struggle to articulate its practical benefits, focusing instead on risks. Some firms do demonstrate tangible uses for AI in operations, raising questions about investor expectations and the true cost of implementation.
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UK Drug Pricing Risks Investment
- Eli Lilly's CEO says the UK is probably the worst country in Europe for drug prices and warns of fewer new drugs if prices stay low.
- Pharma groups are pausing or scrapping UK investments and pressuring the government to renegotiate rebate schemes.
US Withdrawal Creates UN Vacuum
- Donald Trump used his UN speech to lecture and criticise the organisation and allies, marking a stark tone shift since 2017.
- The US has cut UN funding and its stepped-back role leaves room for other powers, notably China, to expand influence.
US Funding Shapes UN Capacity
- The US funds a disproportionately large share of the UN's budgets, so withholding payments forces deep cuts and job losses.
- That fiscal pullback reduces US clout at the UN and invites other countries to fill the gap.