AI & Geopolitics
Buffett Symposium
AI has become a key driver of geopolitical competition, with countries vying for technological supremacy and economic dominance. The potential of AI technologies to revolutionize industries, enhance military capabilities and shape societal norms has far-reaching implications for the disruption of traditional geopolitical balances. As AI development accelerates, it poses unique and mounting challenges to governance frameworks, raising urgent questions about international regulation and cooperation.
What are the geopolitical risks and opportunities associated with AI development? What strategies are being developed to prevent the misuse of AI? How can states promote responsible and ethical AI development to shape the future of AI in a way that benefits humanity?
Our 2024–25 winter quarter Buffett Symposium on AI and Geopolitics convened leading strategists, researchers and policymakers to discuss the transformative opportunities and profound challenges that AI poses in geopolitics. Our speakers offered insights on how AI technologies influence global power dynamics, national security, economic development, international relations and more, exploring the role that international governance and cooperation will play in its future. Co-organized by the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, Northwestern Security & AI Lab (NSAIL) and Insight Centre at University College Cork.
- Deborah Cohen, Director – Buffett Institute for Global Affairs
00:08:33 - Presentation: The European AI Act
- Barry O’Sullivan, University College Cork
00:40:51 - Panel on International Governance on AI
- Yaron Gamburg, Institute for National Security Studies of Tel Aviv University
- Maria Vanina Martinez, Artificial Intelligence Research Institute at the Spanish National Research Institute, Barcelona
- Ruby Scanlon, Center for New American Studies, Washington, DC
- Moderated by Neha Jain, Northwestern University
01:57:33 - Presentation: AI, Deepfakes & Malign Ops
- V.S. Subrahmanian, Northwestern University
02:52:39 - Panel on Economic Impacts of AI
- David Bray, Loomis Council, Stimson Center, formerly US Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC
- Johan Harvard, Tony Blair Institute, London
- Sandeep Mehta, Ethical AI Governance Group, formerly The Hartford Insurance, New York City
- Moderated by Daniel W. Linna Jr., Northwestern University
04:15:09 - International Cooperation & AI
- Daniel Byman, Georgetown University and Center for Strategic & International Studies, Washington, DC
- Juha Heikkilä, AI Office at the European Commission, Luxembourg
- Romain Murenzi, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, formerly Rwandan Minister of Education, Science & Technology, & Information Communication Technologies
- Moderated by V.S. Subrahmanian, Northwestern University