The impressive acceleration of productivity powered by artificial intelligence is transforming numerous domains, including the traditionally deliberate operations of international diplomacy and policymaking. Previously detailed and time-intensive processes are now compelled to operate at unprecedented speed, propelled by AI’s expansive computational capabilities. This shift was a focal point of discourse at the BRIDGE Summit held in Abu Dhabi, an event that assembles a diverse assembly of creators, policymakers, investors, technology experts, media professionals, and cultural influencers worldwide to deliberate on future media trajectories.
However, stakeholders at the summit cautioned that the urgency imposed by AI’s rapid pace introduces significant risks. Elizabeth Churchill, a professor specializing in Human-Computer Interaction at the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, articulated concerns about the pressing demands on decision-makers to act swiftly based on data that may be unverified or unverifiable. Moderated by Nikhil Kumar, executive editor at TIME and media collaborator with the summit, Churchill highlighted the tension between the velocity of AI-enabled decision-making and the reliability of underlying information.
Drawing from her extensive experience in senior roles at prominent technology companies such as Google and Yahoo, Churchill chose academia to pursue research dedicated to developing transparent and "interrogable" AI tools. She advocates for content systems integrated with effective "watermarking," enabling decision-makers to immediately assess the trustworthiness of information. According to Churchill, current deficits in information quality reflect fundamental design flaws that permeate the tools deployed across a range of diplomatic dialogues involving multiple stakeholders.
Technology adoption rates and infrastructure differ markedly across global regions, influencing how AI impacts various societies. Kate Kallot, chief executive officer and founder of Amini, a data infrastructure startup, has concentrated efforts on augmenting technology access in Africa and other Global South markets. She observed that many parts of the continent remain data-scarce, necessitating the development of localized data ecosystems to hasten sustainable development efforts.
Kallot emphasized the relationship between regional starting points and the pursuit of equitable technology deployment. She asserted that recognizing the magnitude of developmental catch-up required is crucial when addressing technological equity on a global scale.
Noam Perski, executive vice president at Palantir Technologies – a Denver-based software organization known for its involvement in governmental data-mining projects – underscored the geopolitical implications of AI’s origins and creators. He described the contemporary landscape as potentially dominated by bifurcated ecosystems centered around China and the United States, while also considering an emergent "tripolar" configuration with the Middle East’s ongoing investment in cutting-edge technologies.
Perski highlighted the practical application of AI technology as the critical factor, focusing on areas such as public safety, counterterrorism, and sustaining business operations within the competitive global economy. He stressed that the true test lies in how these sophisticated tools are integrated and employed in real-world contexts to address complex challenges.
Localization emerges as an imperative in technological advancement, particularly across varied cultural environments where acceptance of disruptive innovation varies. Perski referenced Palantir’s global footprint to illustrate that cultural receptivity plays a substantial role in the successful implementation of AI technologies.
Complementing this view, Kallot encouraged technology developers, especially those based in Silicon Valley, to confront and dismantle biases and narratives that marginalize the Global South. She argued that Africa should not be relegated to an afterthought within the global AI discourse, emphasizing the need for inclusive design and adaptation processes to enable wider adoption and benefit.
On a broader scale, Churchill asserted that the conversation on emerging technologies must pivot towards the examination of value systems and the enhancement of AI literacy among diverse populations. She maintained that increasing awareness and understanding are essential for effective human oversight and governance.
Churchill concluded with a call for active engagement by individuals and collectives in shaping AI policies and governance frameworks. She warned that the absence of such involvement bears responsibility for potential inequities and hazardous outcomes arising from AI systems that lack transparency and fairness.