On Thursday, March 31st, 2022, the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center and the US Department of State officially kicked off the AI Connect program, a year-long initiative that brings together AI policy and technology experts from around the world to discuss the responsible design, development, and deployment of AI technologies.
AI Connect’s inaugural event featured a keynote lecture from Ramin Toloui, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. In his lecture, which touched on the history of AI policy as well as its current state, he stressed the global economic impact of AI and highlighted the need for AI policies to be human-centered and aligned with democratic values. Assistant Secretary Toloui also challenged participants to channel emerging technologies in a way that will bring out the best in people, society, and the economy.
Through collaboration and coordination, we can increase our common understanding and work together toward the development of needed measurement standards and related solutions for AI technologies.
Assistant Secretary Ramin Toloui
After the lecture, participants engaged in a lively discussion about their hopes and expectations for the AI Connect program, with several noting the strong representation of members from across the globe. Both participants and organizers highlighted interest in the networking potential of the program and in the in-person regional workshops, which will increase participants’ understanding of the policy and stakeholder ecosystems for AI technologies within their respective regions.
