A Tipping Point in the Tone of Tech Discussions?

Kicking off a busy month, the Tallinn Digital Summit (TDS) that convened leaders across governments, the private sector, and civil society on September 5 previewed several debates that will dominate international meetings for the months to come. Two topics drove many of the conversations–the buzz around generative AI and large language models, and Ukraine’s resilience amid the ongoing Russian invasion. Following years of tense debate surrounding technology, the more nuanced tone of discussions at TDS begged the question: could these two flashpoints provide the common ground we need to move past our entrenched positions for better collaboration across sectors when it comes to leveraging tech?

Discussions at TDS around AI’s potential for good vs. harm–as well as whether we should race to regulate–did not always fall along predictable sectoral lines, suggesting that common concerns around the existential and geopolitical risks may provide an opening for sectors that are often at odds. Also framing many of the conversations, Ukraine’s unexpected ability to resist the Russian onslaught has proven the power of partnering with the private sector, aligning interests to quickly galvanize political will and resources, and leveraging the resulting edge in technology for its resilience and very survival in a new frontline for democracy. If the more cooperative tone at recent AI talks between powerful tech industry leaders and U.S. lawmakers is any indication, it is possible that the high stakes of these unstable times are finally forcing a critical mass to think beyond what will be useful for industry, or just make our daily lives easier–but also serve the broader good. And this–considering and prioritizing the public interest– is much needed across the entire tech space.

Outlining the sobering geopolitical dynamics at play, Danish Tech Ambassador Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard asked: as we navigate a fragmented world where our interests are not aligned across the board, how do we make sure the rule of law, democracy, and opportunities we are fighting for on the front lines of Ukraine are instilled in the tech systems we are creating? There is clearly no easy answer. Palantir CEO Alex Karp urged heavy investment in tech and coalitions of partners to avoid adversaries exploiting our weaknesses. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stressed our strengths as open democratic societies focused on openness, responsiveness to citizens’ needs, resilience, and collaboration between governments and across sectors.

Indeed, in this post-pandemic era where tech developments are outpacing governments’ ability to react and creating new forms of haves and have-nots, democracies are under the spotlight to prove they can deliver for their citizens. This will require, among many other things, attention to our digital infrastructure and a serious focus on global tech governance.

The complexities are daunting, but there is reason for optimism. Turning the page with a more collaborative, cross-sector approach to tech will be crucial if we truly hope to maintain a competitive economic edge on innovation, nourish stable and open societies, manage our security, and preserve human rights and the rule of law.