David Wood, Co-Chair of the UK Node of The Millennium Project, and Puruesh Chaudhary, Chair of the Pakistan Node, participated in the “Global AI Now, Next, Never” – GAIN Summit, September 10-12, 2024, in Riyadh, where significant discussions on the future of artificial intelligence unfolded.

In a recent report on Day 1 of the event, Wood highlightes a provocative question: in the coming years, which countries will have the most significant impact on AI development and deployment? While the USA and China are often seen as leading AI influencers, Wood suggested that Saudi Arabia might emerge as a major player, potentially disrupting the current international AI landscape. Wood also explored how today’s AI leaders are deploying and scaling technology, envisioned future impacts on society and governance, and debated strategies to ensure a desirable AI future rather than a dystopian one. The event, described as a premier platform for global AI discussions, brought together experts and policymakers to shape the future of AI with ambitious goals.

In an absorbing panel discussion about the future of work on the 2nd day, Ana Kreacic from Oliver Wyman highlighted growing concerns about job security due to AI, noting that while younger generations globally and in Saudi Arabia are anxious, older workers are less so. Despite these fears, experts at the summit emphasized that AI can facilitate reskilling and innovation, making job transitions smoother. They stressed that AI could offer personalized training and support career advancement, countering the anxiety about automation replacing jobs. The real challenge, they argued, lies in adapting corporate culture and political systems to support these transitions effectively.

The event featured over 450 speakers from more than 100 countries and attracted over 32,000 attendees across its three days. This year’s summit saw a significant increase in scale compared to previous events in 2020 and 2022. Prominent speakers included Julie Sweet of Accenture, Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm, and Marc Raibert of Boston Dynamics, among others. The summit showcased a wide range of perspectives, from technical innovations to governance discussions, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a leading force in global AI. The event also highlighted the country’s proactive engagement in transitioning from oil dependency to a prominent role in the AI marketplace, marked by enthusiastic participation from both local and international delegates.

Read the whole reports by David Wood:

• day1: https://dw2blog.com/2024/09/10/a-disruption-in-the-international-ai-landscape/
• day2: https://dw2blog.com/2024/09/12/are-fears-of-technological-unemployment-misdirected/

Visit the website of the event: https://globalaisummit.org/en/Pages/About.aspx