Advanced technologies could “supercharge” societies, but they must be navigated responsibly, say experts.
Dubai-UAE:October 2024 – AI, quantum, biotechnology and other advanced technologies along with stronger global collaboration will help to reinvigorate humanity’s journey, according to thought leaders speaking at the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils (AMGFC24) today.
In a panel discussion on “Accelerating Development in the Intelligent Age”, Masood Ahmed, President Emeritus, Center for Global Development, said that despite periods of substantial development in the last few decades, there have been periods of stagnation.
“In the 1980s, many countries began to get their macroeconomic and structural positions in order, leading to significant improvements in life expectancy – up by 25 years in just that period. There was extraordinary progress during this time. However, recently, we have seen a slowdown in this trend,” he said.
Ahmed stressed the importance of forging strong global partnerships to drive development: “Currently, the number of displaced people is rising, highlighting our diminishing ability to cooperate globally. This lack of collaboration has made it significantly harder to address the challenges we once worked together to solve.”
The panelists agreed that as well as cooperation, technology could help societies and economies to regroup and meet specific challenges.
Megan Palmer, Director, International Genetically Engineered Machine Foundation, highlighted the applications of biotechnology and how its convergence with AI could benefit societies.
“These tools and technologies have the potential to supercharge the needs of many communities. For example, innovations in biotech can provide sustainable solutions and reduce waste,” she said.
But Palmer impressed on the need to ensure inclusivity in technological advancement: “We must address the challenge of ensuring equal access to opportunities. Many countries lack the basic infrastructure to foster innovation and development. We need to strike a balance between protecting intellectual property rights and guaranteeing access to emerging technologies that can have a meaningful impact.”
Palmer went on to say that nations must find ways to collaborate on solving challenges like conflict and climate change. She said: “This requires investment in coordinating technologies and sharing knowledge across borders. Wisdom and trust are essential in building cooperative frameworks. We have an opportunity here to create relationships that enable countries to grow together, ensuring that the potential of every individual is harnessed for the collective good.”
Ahmed added: “As we look to the future, the critical question is: how do we manage to explore climate change and harness emerging technologies? While we have numerous sessions discussing the importance of these technologies – especially AI – we must remember that wisdom will ultimately guide us in how we responsibly navigate this Age of Intelligence,” Ahmed said.
AMGFC24, is taking place from 15-17 October in Dubai. The 2024 edition features 30 councils and over 700 participants from 80 countries, including experts, thought leaders, senior government officials, and business leaders who are helping shape the agenda of the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos.
