Takeaways from Davos 2024 : AI Everywhere and the Rise of India

Hope you had a wonderful start to 2024!

This is my first newsletter of the year and I couldn't be happier to start the year with this exciting topic.

What an incredible experience it has been at World Economic Forum Davos 2024 ????????

Snow boots, hot chocolate, frozen hands, lots of insightful discussions and a mission to change the world!

That’s how I’ll describe my WEF Davos experience! :)

I am still reeling from the exciting conversations I had during my time at Davos and meeting inspiring people - world leaders, politicians, CEOs, entrepreneurs and change makers!

Here are some of my highlights and reflections from Davos 2024.

First starting with the highlights:

??Listening to Bill Gates and Nandan Nilekani share interesting nuggets. I have been a massive fan of both of them and seeing them in person was exciting. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

??Attending session by Sam Alt man, CEO OpenAI and Marc Benioff, CEO Salesforce sharing insights on how AI will augment humans and the need to regulate AI systems

??Meeting one of my favs, Leena Nair, who shared amazing insights on impact of AI on art and creativity

??Listening to Will.l.Am sing at an event hosted by Forbes and Global Citizen

?? But the best part was meeting incredible women leaders at The Female Quotient, WORLD WOMAN FOUNDATION, Swedish Lunch and 100 Davos Women Dr Anino Emuwa Shelley Zalis Rupa Dash?

I enjoyed sessions at WORLD WOMAN FOUNDATION focusing on accelerating gender parity as it is not merely a moral imperative but it is an absolute necessity for the prosperity and sustainability of our world.

The The Female Quotient also hosted Equality Lounge. The World Economic Forum estimates it'll take a WHOPPING 131 to close the gender gap, but we are most definitely not going to sit and wait THAT long to bridge the gap!

From Geopolitics, AI to climate change to sustainability to peace, Davos offered so many insightful discussions and chances to meet other change makers!

Here are some of my reflections from Davos

1] The buzz around AI and Automation:??

AI dominated all discussions.??

Every event, business, lounge had an AI component. I attended so many events and yet so many focussed on AI: AI for sustainability, AI for growth, AI for healthcare, AI for inclusion, AI for education.. the list went on!

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI / ChatGPT was referring to a term - artificial general intelligence, or AGI. This is technology broadly defined as an AI system that can carry out tasks to the same level as, or better than, humans.

The conversation ranged from how AI will redefine our economy and work lives. Yes, it's going to change society significantly, but the pace and extent of this change remain hotly debated topics.

I also spent sometime at AI House Davos immersing in AI personalities and meeting other AI leaders from around the world.

Imagine a future where it transforms healthcare, making it 10x more efficient for our incredible nurses and physicians.

More time with patients, more lives saved – the possibilities are massive! ?? It's not just about medicine; GenAI can be a game-changer for equality.

With natural language, it's accessible to all, closing gaps and creating opportunities.

AI and the Global Job Market

The Forum brought attention to how AI could affect jobs, a concern that's been around for a while.

They predicted that about 40% of jobs worldwide might be impacted by this. Wealthier countries are at a higher risk than developing ones. This means we need to be careful and thoughtful in our approach.

We should create policies that not only reduce the risks but also take advantage of AI's ability to create new job opportunities.

It's all about finding the right balance between advancing technology and safeguarding our workforce. We need to rethink our economic systems in a time when AI can do a lot of work without much cost.

Being human in the age of AI

As AI becomes more and more a part of our daily lives, we find ourselves asking a profound question: What does it mean to be human in a world filled with artificial intelligence??

Diverse Voices in AI:

There's an urgent need for more diverse voices in building the future of AI. If we want to build a world that represents us then we need to get real diverse people seat at the table!

2] India and Its Rising Influence:??

The other highlight from Davos was ubiquitous presence of India and its growing economy.

India has not only replaced China as the most populous country, but as the top choice for investment by the US and European countries.

The general consensus was that while India is well on its way to approaching the $30 trillion GDP target by 2050, it has the potential for even higher growth, given its young work force.?

India used this occasion to make a not-so-subtle statement about its superpower economic ambition.

It was great to see pop ups from various states in India and also run into renowned politicians : Hon Smt Smriti Irani, Minister of Women & Child Development, Hon Shri Eknath Shinde Chief Minister of Mumbai.

3] 2024: The year of Elections

2024 is expected to be a noisy year with national elections and more than half of the world going to the polls.

With over 4 billion people participating in democratic processes to elect a new government across more than 50% of the nations of the world, the winds of progress and change are palpable. ?

In such times, differentiating signal from noise is more crucial than ever. This year will challenge us to adapt and innovate in the face of global changes. The potential societal impact of such widespread engagement is staggering, prompting us to envision a world where the collective voice shapes the trajectory of nations.

This raises important issues related to ethics, how society is affected, and the complex relationship between technology and humanity. These topics have sparked intense debates and are pushing us to figure out our beliefs and values in this new era."

Wrap UP and Concluding Thoughts:

These insights from Davos 2024 are more than just reflections; they are a call to action.

We're standing at the brink of transformative changes, and it's up to us to steer them towards a future that benefits all.

As I unpack my snow boots and brace the winds in London, I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to attend WEF and meet incredible people in the past few days.?

I left Davos feeling energised and inspired. I am determined to continue to raise my voice in bridging digital skillgaps and ensuring responsible and inclusive use of AI.

Watch this space! :)

#WEF #Davos2024 #WomenLeadership