In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, the United Nations has proposed a bold plan for global AI governance, launched on September 19, 2024. The initiative seeks to establish guidelines for managing AI’s risks and opportunities, addressing concerns over the role of tech giants, national governments, and the global community. Political scientist Ian Bremer discusses the urgent need for international cooperation to ensure AI is used for the greater good, rather than creating monopolies or fueling inequality. The report emphasizes the importance of using AI to meet global challenges like climate change and human rights, advocating for open-source AI, equitable access for developing nations, and global safeguards against AI misuse. The conversation explores the complexities of aligning private sector innovation with public interest, and the necessity of defining a clear governance framework for a technology that is reshaping society.

In this insightful talk, the speaker explores the role of capitalism in addressing climate change. While traditional capitalism has contributed to environmental degradation, “climate capitalism” offers a path forward by leveraging market forces, policy interventions, and technological advancements. Examples like India’s adoption of solar energy and China’s rise in electric vehicles showcase how government subsidies and market incentives can drive green innovations. However, the speaker argues that capitalism alone isn’t enough—governments must correct market failures by pricing pollution and enforcing climate policies. Success stories like Denmark’s Ørsted and the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act demonstrate how capitalism, when guided by smart policies, can help combat climate change and accelerate the transition to a zero-emissions future.

In this captivating talk, the speaker reflects on the vibrant wildlife and thriving biodiversity in the bustling city of Singapore. Moving to the city felt magical, with encounters of tropical birds, otters, and even snakes happening amidst towering skyscrapers. The return of otters to Singapore, after a long absence due to pollution, highlights the city’s successful conservation efforts. Singapore’s commitment to nature, exemplified by its transition from a “City in a Garden” to a “City in Nature,” raises intriguing questions about the role of cities as wildlife refuges. With dedicated “otter watchers” and innovative policies, Singapore demonstrates how urban spaces can coexist with and foster wildlife, offering hope for sustainable urban living.

In this heartfelt talk, a cartoonist reflects on using art and AI to explore family legacies and the nature of personal identity. Sharing her family’s powerful history—her grandmother’s survival of the Holocaust and her grandfather’s escape from Nazi-occupied Austria—she reveals how AI helped her connect with her grandfather, a man she never met, through a chatbot created from his writings. While AI didn’t resurrect him, it allowed her to time travel through his thoughts and experiences. This exploration underscores the complexity of human identity and how technology, like art, can help preserve and extend our legacies.

In this powerful speech, the speaker reflects on the transformative power of belief and the importance of overcoming self-doubt. They argue that our greatest regrets stem not from the things we did but from the things we didn’t do because we lacked belief in ourselves. Sharing their own journey from childhood entrepreneur to leader of the H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, they highlight the importance of creating spaces that nurture self-confidence and belonging. By fostering environments that encourage authenticity and ownership, they believe individuals—particularly Black and brown communities—can unlock their full potential and transform their lives and communities.

In this engaging conversation, a neuroscientist and a global banking expert explore the connections between anxiety, brain health, and financial well-being. They emphasize that anxiety, often seen as a negative force, can serve as a useful signal directing attention to what matters most. Shifting the mindset toward embracing anxiety as a tool for growth, they discuss how financial literacy, physical activity, and social connections are crucial for both mental and financial health. By cultivating curiosity, staying informed, and taking action, individuals can achieve long-term happiness and success in both personal and financial realms.

Sara, a talent manager, introduces imma, a virtual human created with CGI, who has gained popularity for her fashion and lifestyle posts on social media. Despite not being real, imma connects deeply with her audience, especially Gen Z, blurring the lines between virtual and real-life influencers. As virtual humans like imma become integrated with AI, they can engage in real-time conversations and impact real-world issues such as climate change and social justice. Sara envisions virtual humans as tools for fostering human connection and expression, urging us to embrace technology’s limitless potential for good.

Saamra, an entrepreneur who started her journey at 39, shares how she once believed entrepreneurship wasn’t for her, despite growing up with entrepreneurial parents. Today, she works to demystify entrepreneurship for young Black people by showing them multiple pathways to becoming business creators. Saamra highlights the importance of diverse role models, near-peer mentorship, and the power of social capital in shaping entrepreneurial success. She advocates for teaching young Black people how to build jobs, not just do them, as a way to close the wealth gap and boost the economy. Entrepreneurship, she believes, offers transformative potential for individuals and society.