Issue 170: The World Governments Summit Comes to Dubai
Welcome to Backstory, a weekly newsletter turning global technology shifts into a three-minute read. This week, we’re thinking about the WGS in Dubai. – Mary Ames, Director of Strategy
THE BIG TAKE
The World Governments Summit Comes to Dubai
The World Governments Summit just wrapped up in Dubai, where discussions among global leaders predominantly revolved around artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change. During the summit, Elon Musk raised concerns about AI, emphasizing the need for vigilance without providing specific strategies for navigating its benefits and risks. On the topic of climate change, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, president-designate of the COP28 summit, underscored the necessity for a significant shift in approach to address the escalating climate crisis effectively.
Pushing the debate forward. The WGS has grown into a pivotal global forum for addressing urgent issues confronting the international community. This year, the UAE led in pinpointing challenges and devising strategies to overcome them. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber highlighted the UAE's approach as the host of COP28, emphasizing humility, a strong sense of duty, and prompt action. He noted the stark necessity for a significant shift: "Global emissions need to decrease by 43 percent by 2030, a mere seven years from now. It's imperative that we undertake a substantial redirection."
Exponential growth. Discussions surrounding artificial intelligence and climate change are set to continue. The AI sector is anticipated to experience exponential growth and investment in the coming years, paralleling the accelerating pace of climate change. Following this remarkable summit, considerable efforts are necessary. The UAE will persist as a hub for innovation and solutions in these areas, yet addressing these challenges effectively will require enhanced collaboration between private entities and governments globally. The path forward is clear; now is the moment to act.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It is impossible to build one’s own happiness on the unhappiness of others.”
– Daisaku Ikeda, philosopher
CHART OF THE WEEK
This week, we are thinking about green energy. According to The Economist, the Mediterranean could be the next global hotspot of solar energy.
OUR VIEWS THIS WEEK
Prioritizing Digital Well-Being: In today's tumultuous times, with ongoing global challenges and the undeniable lure of digital devices, it's crucial to prioritize our digital well-being. The habit of endlessly scrolling through our phones not only feeds addiction but also impacts our mental health. Taking a proactive step, such as dedicating a mere thirty minutes daily to disconnect, particularly before sleep, can significantly enhance our mental state. For a deeper dive into effective strategies for maintaining digital health, explore the insights published by Xische on this vital topic.
Addressing AI Bias: The challenge of bias in AI and advanced algorithms transcends technical hurdles, anchoring deeply in human influence. The creators of these guiding algorithms hold the key to the problem and its resolution. This week, we delve into strategies for mitigating bias, highlighting the unique position of tech-centric smaller states like the UAE in spearheading such initiatives. Explore our analysis to understand their strategic advantage.
SPOTTED ELSEWHERE
Unlocking the secrets of the ancient world with AI. Researchers have successfully deployed AI technology to decode ancient Roman manuscripts in one of the most exciting developments in history and AI. The manuscripts have previously been too fragile to decipher properly, but we can now read them with the help of AI and some savvy researchers. As The Economist notes this week, this could be a tipping point in understanding our ancient past. Read the whole piece to learn more fascinating details about this landmark achievement.
ChatGPT gets a memory. Up to now, OpenAI’s popular ChatGPT AI platform hasn’t had a great memory regarding your interactions with it. That’s all changing with the latest release from Open AI. The company is rolling out a feature called memory, which will essentially be a detailed record of everything about you and the platform, from who you are to how you work. While this is bound to make the platform more efficient, it raises deeper questions about the human-AI relationship, as Wired covered this week in a fantastic write-up.