GeoTech Center

In the last twenty years, one of the United States’ key exports has been the technology coming out of Silicon Valley—and along with it, its particular brand of innovation culture. Unsurprisingly, innovation has risen to the top of policy makers’ agendas around the world. Yet, creating carbon copies of Silicon Valley is not the answer. To compete in the increasingly global innovation arena, countries and companies are writing a new playbook.

“The journey to becoming a data-driven organization fit for the emerging AI economy is long and arduous,” argues Dr. George Zarkadakis. “Data trusts are an opportunity for collaboration between organizations to make that journey faster, less costly, and less risky. And they can make data-monetization rewards more handsome by co-developing marketable AI applications and giving third parties controlled access to members’ data. Moreover, a data trust can also help inspire creativity, cross-functional collaboration, and innovation, and can attract digital talent. As wearables, smart appliances, and 5G networks proliferate and combine into the ‘Intelligent Internet of Things,’ data sharing and collaboration will become the norm. Data trusts can help companies make the leap to this new era.”

We currently face a complex global food crisis, driven by COVID-19, locusts, natural hazards, and a global recession. However, greater awareness of risks and impacts may attract ESG money from the finance sector, while the agriculture industry can be critical both as a source of data and as a data dissemination network.

A roundtable discussion about policy priorities for technology and data after the United States’ 2020 election. Today’s globally-networked, technology-driven environment is complex and dynamic. The effects of its intersecting vulnerabilities, moreover, may cascade from one domain to another. For example, the emergence of a new virus can trigger trade restrictions, leading to worldwide health and economic effects that impair critical government and societal functions. To maintain and strengthen economic and national security, the United States and its allies must build a skilled workforce, develop new technologies, establish standards for acceptable uses of technologies, and create a governance approach to monitor, diagnose, and respond to such effects.

The United States’ Silicon Valley is home to a vibrant startup ecosystem that boasts of more funding, companies, and prominence than any other geography. Startup ecosystems provide more than just cultural touchstones—they create economic resilience, develop cutting-edge technologies, project geopolitical soft power, hone competitive advantage, and foster growth. But what are the benefits of developing this sector of the economy? What are the different tools and challenges for the public and private sector trying to grow it? What is its role in geopolitics, protectionism, innovation, industry lifecycles, and the pandemic recovery?

There is clear consensus that for there to be any chance of reversing the climate crisis, we will need the coherent collaboration and leadership of the world’s major powers. It is also clear that there are hard security implications should a state fail or collapse due to climate-induced pressures, as already seen in rising tensions and looming conflicts around the world. The technologies that can allow us to live with a much lower impact on our planet have existed for a long time, but what can we turn to or develop to help bring about the required changes in human behavior and consumption, and how can great powers around the world collaborate to create that change?

GeoTech Center and Commission Launch on 11 March 2020. Focused efforts on determining priorities for future investment and cooperation between public and private sector entities seeking to develop new technologies and data initiatives specifically for global benefit.

On-going, private deliberations of the GeoTech Commissioners. Focused efforts on how can either societies or markets characterize new technologies and data choices regarding measurable benefits to people, prosperity, and peace.

Data Salon Series on improving the State of Data Governance with experts from across sectors. Focused discussions on the Future of Work, Data, Trust, Space, and Health.

The first roundtable of the series was held in Paris and brought together high-level delegations from the United States, China, and Europe for a wide-ranging discussion on emerging technologies.

The Atlantic Council’s endeavor to evaluate the implications of modern technologies for society and politics continued in Brussels, where the event was co-hosted by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS).

Unlike previous gatherings where a majority of participants represented government institutions, the roundtable in Germany brought together business- and private-sector representatives. Together with policy experts, they discussed the emergence of new technologies, the rise of China, and the implications of a global AI race.

Two roundtables in Beijing and a third one in Shanghai brought together leaders from government, civil society, academia, and think tanks to discuss China’s role as a global citizen, the country’s use and development of artificial intelligence, and the implications of modern technologies for international relations.

Two digital roundtables with India brought together high-level experts to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and geopolitics of emerging technologies in the South Asian country. While the first focused on AI and health, the second centered on Sino-Indian relations.

The final roundtable of the Smart Partnerships Series focused on the African continent and how AI as well as other emerging technologies can be harnessed there for good.