AI Over Rebuilding Trust? ~ Davos 2024 ~

Global media energetically broadcasting from the freezing -5°C outdoors

<Table of Contents>
▼Davos: Where Weather and Information Change Rapidly

▼2024: A Year Rocked by Elections

▼Main Theme: Navigating AI ~ Regulation and Misinformation ~

▼A Showcase Revealing the Middle East's Seriousness About Sustainability

▼Japan's Presence Under Scrutiny

▼Interest in AI Outweighs Rebuilding Trust

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Davos: Rapid Changes in Weather and Information

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, commonly known as the Davos Conference, took place January 15-19, a week earlier than usual. This year's theme was "Rebuilding Trust."

Corporate representatives had their preparations halted for about three weeks over the Christmas and New Year holidays, forcing them to rush preparations immediately after the break. Just before the conference, a peace conference on Ukraine was held, and it was announced that President Zelenskyy would participate, including at the Davos meeting.

Russia has not participated in the Davos meeting for the past two years, and Ukraine has been the central topic of discussion throughout the conference. I sensed a shift in the meeting's role, which had previously acted as a mediator by inviting parties from regions with past conflicts, like South Africa and the Middle East, to Davos to create a space for dialogue.

This year's Davos saw dramatic weather shifts: snow in the morning, clear skies at noon, and sub-zero temperatures at night. Yet discussions extended far beyond Ukraine. Participants navigated treacherous footing to gather the latest information.

2024: A Year Rocked by Elections

As is customary, just before the Davos meeting, the World Economic Forum's "Global Risks Report" and the "World's Top Risks" report from the Eurasia Group (the world's largest political risk consulting firm) are released. Then, during the meeting, Edelman (the world's largest PR firm) publishes its "Trust Barometer" (a trust survey, released January 16, 2024). This year, elections are taking place in countries like the United States and Russia that significantly influence global affairs. Consequently, all three reports pointed out that "the world will be affected by elections."

Main Theme: Navigating AI – Regulation and Misinformation

While ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East might suggest geopolitical risks would dominate, both the main conference and corporate events featured AI as the top topic. Similar to last year, discussions and information exchanges focused on regulations, such as mandating transparency for AI services, and the risk of misinformation spread using generative AI, which is likely to be heavily utilized in elections.

OpenAI's Sam Altman stated in a media interview that "AI progress requires energy breakthroughs, and we should use energy sources with minimal climate impact," citing nuclear power or affordable solar power as potential solutions. This underscored the significant power demands of AI.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella expressed "hope" and "optimism" about AI's future, but emphasized that countries must share a common understanding regarding the adoption of a set of industry standards. Nadella's session in the main conference hall was extremely popular, drawing large crowds eager to greet him.

AI House

For the first time this year, an AI House dedicated to AI was set up in the city center. Companies and research institutions shared information there, including an announcement that the University of Tokyo had agreed to collaborate with the University of Chicago and Seoul National University on quantum technology research and development. This research aims to combine artificial intelligence (AI) to advance the practical application of quantum technology.

A Showcase Demonstrating the Middle East's Serious Commitment to Sustainability

NEOM House

Diagonally across from the AI House was a showcase displaying some kind of model. Upon closer inspection, it was the Neom House, introducing Saudi Arabia's ambitious urban development project "Neom." It operated on a strict advance reservation system, so I couldn't get inside. From the outside, it looked like a condominium sales showroom. Speaking with someone who did enter, the main purpose seemed to be explaining the plan and finding business partners.

Watching the PR video, it seemed less about seeking investors and more about finding partners to advance the project together. Many staff members featured in the video were from outside Saudi Arabia, suggesting talent is gathering from around the world, drawn by business opportunities.

Reference: About Neom
https://ampmedia.jp/2022/09/19/neom/

While the Middle East is actively transitioning its economy beyond oil, it is also seriously committed to shifting toward renewable energy sources like solar power. Stakeholders from neighboring Middle Eastern countries, beyond Saudi Arabia which champions "Green Saudi," were also engaged in earnest discussions.

Japan's Presence Under Scrutiny

Concerns about Japan's declining presence have been frequently voiced in recent years, both by those participating on-site and by those following through Japanese media and social media. While the number of Japanese companies participating in the World Economic Forum has increased since the pandemic, the nature of Japan's messaging from Davos seems to have changed.

Regarding opportunities to encounter Davos-related topics domestically, since last year, TV Tokyo's YouTube livestreams have begun presenting the appeal of Davos from a unique perspective. Previously, coverage was mostly confined to morning news programs, making it difficult to access unless watching live television. The fact that these YouTube streams have garnered over 150,000 views indicates significant public attention and engagement with the information.

On the other hand, while ministers and Japanese corporate leaders did speak at public sessions in the main conference hall, particularly on Japan-related themes, there were no sessions moderated by Japanese journalists or others addressing global challenges.

Even the renowned "Global Economic Outlook" session on the final day featured no speakers from Japan this year. Japan's presence felt notably thin in the main conference hall sessions as well. At this globally watched venue, , we hope to see more active contributions from Japan on global challenges.

Interest in AI Over Rebuilding Trust

The focus of the world's top media gathered in Davos remains firmly on geopolitics. There is no end in sight for armed conflicts like the prolonged Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Palestine situation, and the situation surrounding Iran.

Moreover, the true sentiments of corporate executives gathered in Davos seemed to be more about "discussing topics directly relevant to their own businesses, such as AI," rather than the conference's theme of "rebuilding trust."