On June 27, 2024, the GeoTech Center, in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), hosted a conference titled “An allied approach in the age of AI: Working together to shape the global future of responsible AI.” This event brought together leaders from government, industry, and international organizations to discuss strategies for advancing responsible artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and governance. 

Opening 

Fred Kempe, president and chief executive officer of the Atlantic Council, set the stage for the event and emphasized the significance of the current moment, stating, “We are at an inflection point in geopolitical conflict, compounded by technological revolutions.” His statement underscored the urgency and importance of addressing AI governance in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape. 

The opening continued with a fireside chat featuring Dave Levy, vice president, worldwide public sector at AWS, highlighting the transformative potential of AI. Levy described AI as a “generational technology” and stressed the need for collaboration between the industry and the public sector to establish guardrails around AI. Unlike previous American tech revolutions, which were public sector-led, AI’s resources are predominantly in private hands. Levy pointed out that AWS can enhance the missions of US partners through cloud infrastructure, thereby accelerating workforce development. He also noted that while AI has the potential to solve challenging, under-resourced problems, prioritizing and building capacity remains difficult. 

AI with allies: Aligning governance strategies 

The first panel, “AI with allies: Aligning governance trategies,” chaired by Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, board director and vice chair of the Scowcroft Center at the Atlantic Council, explored how the US and its allies can synchronize their AI governance efforts. While there is broad agreement on principles, including a risks-based approach to regulation, are the US and its allies prepared to encode this alignment into standards and institutions?  

Speakers emphasized that AI governance is a shared imperative. Koichi Ai, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC, highlighted the importance of asking the right questions, alongside finding the right answers. He emphasized that while technologies can address various challenges, maintaining a moral and ethical compass is crucial, especially given the simultaneous global impacts of AI due to globalization. Alessandro Gonzales, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC, cited an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report indicating that 60 percent of global jobs will be affected by AI. He warned of increased inequality both within societies and between countries, stressing that AI governance requires participation from the international community, not just governments and companies. Finally, James Rosco, deputy head of mission to the USA at the British Embassy in Washington, DC, advocated for linking AI with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasized the responsibility to engage beyond developed states, while still securing competitive advantages through tighter alliances. Finally, Ambassador Stephen Lang, deputy assistant secretary for international information and communications policy at the US Department of State, called for “digital solidarity” to create ecosystems that enable partners to innovate collaboratively.  

Strategic innovation: Harnessing AI for national security 

The second panel, “Strategic innovation: Harnessing AI for national security,” examined AI’s role in national security amidst the global race to lead in AI. Moderated by Graham Brookie, vice president of technology programs and strategy at the Atlantic Council, the conversation delved into innovative approaches to AI adoption, exploring collaborative efforts between cutting-edge AI companies and government agencies. David Nelson, foreign and defence policy counsellor at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC, discussed early use cases of AI, acknowledging their challenges yet useful nature. He noted the varying levels of capacity, comfort, and attitudes toward AI adoption among the Five Eyes alliance. Avery Alpha, principal deputy under secretary for intelligence and analysis at the US Department of Homeland Security, stressed the need for human oversight to build trust in AI insights. Alpha highlighted AI applications for open-source intelligence (OSINT) and the integration of AI into classified environments, using it to screen individuals from adversary nations exploiting the immigration system. She cautioned against fully embracing AI without understanding its risks. Paul Myler, deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Australia in Washington, DC, emphasized that “at its core, the Five Eyes partnership is about data sharing and always has been.” He cited collaborations with Japan and India on maritime domain awareness, which could be enhanced by AI tools. Myler also acknowledged the vast amounts of data being collected by China and the need for collaboration on data-dependent applications, including health and climate change. 

Applications for governments: Leading responsible AI by example 

How should governments lead by example in their use of AI technologies? How are government agencies encoding accountability, transparency and trust in their planned deployments of AI systems, and what measures should be taken to ensure that the acquisition process incentivizes suppliers to prioritize these features? The third panel, steered by Ambassador Anthony Gardner “Applications for governments: Leading responsible AI by example,” addressed how governments can exemplify responsible AI use.  

Sunayna Tuteja, chief innovation officer at the Federal Reserve System of the US, emphasized that existing protocols and processes can be repurposed for generative AI, indicating that AI governance does not start from scratch. Similarly, Amir Bagherpour, managing director at Accenture Federal Services noted that there already is a “laundry list of requirements” that are necessary for being in regulatory compliance, which serves as a starting point for AI governance. Ambassador Gardner then posed the critical question of who should be involved in rulemaking for AI. Matthew Graviss, chief data and artificial intelligence officer at the US Department of State, likened responsible AI development to a “rising tide that lifts all boats,” underscoring the collective benefit of collaborative efforts. 

AI in action: Building resilience as AI rapidly transforms the future 

How can AI be developed and utilized in ways that prevent exploitation and misuse, particularly in sensitive areas that are critical to democratic processes? Closing the event, the final panel, “AI in action: Building resilience in the age of AI,” focused on strategies to prevent AI exploitation and misuse. The panel was moderated by Michael Greenwald, global head of financial innovation and digital assets at AWS.

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