The article details how the small English town of Warton, home to a BAE Systems factory, has become a focal point in the international competition to develop next-generation fighter jets powered by artificial intelligence. It explores the local and national implications of this technological race, highlighting the town’s long history in aviation now intersecting with cutting-edge AI development. The piece examines the geopolitical stakes, the ethical debates surrounding autonomous weapons, and the community’s mixed reactions to being at the center of this global contest. The full article provides deeper context on the technological ambitions and societal impacts of this new era of defense technology. Read the full article at: https://www.wired.com/story/the-small-english-town-swept-up-in-the-global-ai-arms-race/