Davos 2024: Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, Yann Lecun among speakers as AI takes center stage at WEF

This year, the spotlight shines brightest on artificial intelligence (AI), a technology already shaping our world and poised to revolutionise it further.

In the snow-capped Alps, the Swiss town of Davos hums with anticipation as leaders of industry and state are set to gather for the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which kicks off from January 15-19.

This year, the spotlight shines brightest on artificial intelligence (AI), a technology already shaping our world and poised to revolutionise it further.

The WEF, in its latest Global Risk Report 2024, stated that AI-generated disinformation and misinformation pose risks to upcoming elections in the US, the UK, and India over the next two years.

The WEF annual meeting will also see a conversation with Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella and WEF chairperson Klaus Schwab.

Here are some of the sessions by key speakers at Davos 2024 focused on AI:

Technology in a Turbulent World

As technology, including AI,  becomes increasingly woven into our lives and drives development, questions about safety, human interaction and trust become crucial for addressing both benefits and risks.

In this session, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Accenture CEO Julie Sweet will explore how technology can amplify our humanity while navigating challenges like safety and trust.

The Expanding Universe of Generative Models

AI pioneer and DeepLearning.AI founder Andrew Ng, Cohere co-founder Aidan Gomez, and Turing Award winning French computer scientist Yann LeCun will discuss cutting-edge research and applications in generative AI models, exploring how novel techniques and approaches are shaping the risks and opportunities associated with these models.

Generative AI: Steam Engine of the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

Generative AI's explosive development has propelled it to one of the fastest-growing and most impactful innovations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Some predict its effect on global value chains will be similar to the steam engine's impact during the Industrial Revolution.

The session will feature speakers like UAE Minister of State for AI Omar Sultan Al Olama, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.

AI: The Great Equaliser?

Unequal access to AI and its benefits could hinder progress in crucial sectors and regions.

This session, featuring Google President and CIO Ruth Porat and UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill, will discuss the urgent need to bridge the gap between AI's potential and its practical implementation as adoption accelerates.

360° on AI Regulations

Global leaders have called for international collaboration to steer AI development towards human well-being rather than exploitation.

This session, with speakers like Microsoft Vice Chair Brad Smith, European Commission's VP for values and transparency Vera Jourová, and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy director Arati Prabhakar, will explore how global players can collaboratively craft forward-looking AI governance frameworks.

The Battle for Chips

Export bans on specific advanced chips, including those used in AI development, have intensified the global struggle for semiconductor industry dominance.

Speakers like India's IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Chip Wars author Chris Miller will discuss the impact of these restrictions on innovation and the competitive landscape in advanced chipmaking.

Hard Power of AI

From diplomacy to defence, AI is significantly altering geopolitics.

This session will see Meta's Global Affairs president Nick Clegg, WEF managing director Jeremy Jurgens, and IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva discuss the geopolitical implications of AI, including shifts in data ownership and infrastructure, and their impact on sovereignty and global power dynamics.