Colombian President Gustavo Petro emphasized at the World Governments Summit the risks of AI for job displacement and social tensions, linking it to the climate crisis. He urged for regulatory frameworks to manage these threats and proposed a global authority for oversight. Urrego called for prioritizing human creativity to combat mechanization’s challenges, stressing the importance of international cooperation for sustainable development.
At the World Governments Summit, Colombian President Gustavo Petro Urrego emphasized the urgent need for international cooperation to tackle the dual threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change. He warned that the rapid advancement of AI could lead to job displacement for millions of workers and intensify social and ethnic tensions globally. Urrego called for action, highlighting that without regulations, the rise of AI could exacerbate job losses and increase global migration due to uninhabitable environments resulting from climate change.
Drawing a link between AI’s role in productivity and fossil fuel dependency, he cautioned that without proper management, we risk catastrophic environmental consequences—potentially displacing up to 3 billion people by 2070. Urrego advocated for an overhaul in global governance structures, asserting that the traditional nation-state approach is inadequate for addressing interconnected challenges. He proposed the establishment of a multilateral authority focused on regulating AI and overseeing climate crisis responses.
Urrego stressed that the burgeoning knowledge economy should be managed by public entities rather than private interests to avoid future economic and social upheaval. He further highlighted the crucial role of human creativity in counteracting the mechanization associated with AI, stating, “The only way to fight against artificial intelligence is through creation.” This underscores the need for policies that support worker protections and sustainable economic practices.
He concluded his address by issuing a call to action, indicating that failure to confront these issues could precipitate a crisis characterized by overproduction and environmental degradation, ultimately resulting in unprecedented global displacement. His remarks reinforced the necessity for a new era of international collaboration aimed at safeguarding both humanity and the planet.
The summit, themed “Shaping Future Governments,” continues until February 13, featuring participation from over 30 heads of state, 80 international organizations, and extensive discussions on major global trends and transformations.
President Gustavo Petro Urrego’s address at the World Governments Summit highlighted the urgent challenges of AI and climate change. He advocated for international cooperation and the formation of a global authority to manage these issues and protect workers. His emphasis on human creativity as a counterbalance to AI mechanization and the need for sustainable practices reflects a holistic approach to ensuring a viable future for humanity and the planet. Immediate action is critical to preventing potential crises from escalating.
Original Source: www.gulftoday.ae
