In a bid to establish the United Kingdom as a global technology powerhouse, Technology Secretary Chloe Smith embarked on a pivotal mission to chair talks at the inaugural Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Forum on Technology in Paris.
The event, which received significant funding from the UK, US, and Spain, brought together nations from various regions, including Africa, South America, Asia, and the European Union, to address the opportunities and challenges posed by emerging technologies.
The Global Forum on Technology, an initiative announced last year by the UK and OECD, aimed to provide a platform for like-minded countries, industry experts, and academia to collaborate on scientific and technological advancements.
This groundbreaking forum sought to foster international cooperation, promoting responsible, values-based, and rights-orientated development of cutting-edge technologies such as engineering biology and artificial intelligence.
The UK’s commitment to the Global Forum on Technology has been unwavering, with £2 million in funding dedicated to organizing and hosting events. Additionally, financial support from other countries, including the US and Spain, contributed to ensuring the forum’s success.
The funds will be instrumental in conducting research, analysis, and long-term foresight on the potential opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies.
At the inaugural event, Technology Secretary Chloe Smith assumed the role of not only opening the proceedings but also chairing a high-level panel discussion with government representatives from the US, Spain, Ukraine, and the OECD.
This esteemed panel focused on shaping the future at the forefront of technology and exploring the responsible and ethical implementation of emerging technologies.
Secretary Smith emphasized the importance of international collaboration in harnessing technology’s potential for the greater good while simultaneously managing the potential risks that may arise.
The Global Forum on Technology provided an unprecedented opportunity for the UK and like-minded nations to shape the future landscape of technology on a global scale.
The participating countries in the discussions included Australia, Brazil, Senegal, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Ukraine, the USA, and Turkey, with the European Union also actively engaged. The forum welcomed not only OECD members but also non-OECD members and organizations from around the world, including emerging and developing economies.
Furthermore, global businesses, trade unions, and civil society groups contributed valuable perspectives to the discussions.
With pressing global challenges in areas such as food security, climate change, biodiversity, security, and the economy, the forum aimed to leverage emerging technologies to create transformative solutions.
From improving food security and ensuring affordable and clean energy to enhancing healthcare and revolutionizing education and training, the responsible deployment of emerging technologies was paramount to avoid associated risks.
Technology Secretary Chloe Smith’s leadership and the collaboration among nations at the OECD Global Forum on Technology heralded a new era of international cooperation and responsibility in the face of rapid technological advancements.
With the world’s collective efforts, the forum sought to embrace the potential of emerging technologies while navigating the ethical complexities to forge a brighter future for all.
Sources: THX News, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology & The Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP.
