- Technology Secretary chairs international talks on
opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies
- Global Forum on Technology is funded by UK, US and Spain,
with countries from Africa, South America, Asia and the European
Union all taking part
- Talks brings together like-minded countries to ensure the
development of emerging technologies such as engineering biology
and artificial intelligence remain responsible, values-based and
rights-orientated
As part of the United Kingdom’s ambitions to become an
international technology superpower, Technology Secretary will today (Tuesday 06 June)
visit Paris to chair talks at the world’s first Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Global Forum on Technology.
Announced last year by the UK and OECD,
the Global Forum on Technology has been set up to give
like-minded OECD
members and non-members a forum with technology industry and
academia. The inaugural event will foster greater international
cooperation on the rapid development of a number of scientific
and technological advancements.
The UK is a strong proponent for the Global Forum on Technology,
having already committed £2 million in funding, with additional
funding coming from other nations such as the US and Spain. The
UK’s funding will help organise and host further events and build
the evidence and analysis needed to foresee the long-term
opportunities and risks that are presented by emerging
technologies.
The Technology Secretary will formally open the inaugural event,
before chairing a high-level panel on shaping our future at the
tech frontier between government representatives from the US,
Spain, Ukraine, and OECD.
She will discuss how to achieve a responsible, values-based and
rights-oriented approach to technology, with a special focus on
emerging technologies. This includes developments such as the
metaverse, engineering biology, immersive technologies, and the
role of artificial intelligence’s role within all of these areas.
Technology Secretary said:
Closely collaborating with our allies on technology is the only
way we will truly harness its potential for the greater good,
while putting in place the cross-border guardrails required to
manage the risks that could come with it.
Today, the UK will take a driving seat at the inaugural Global
Forum on Technology, giving us and other like-minded countries an
unprecedented platform to shape the world’s future in technology.
Participants will not only include OECD
members, but also include non-OECDmembers
and organisations from around the globe, including emerging and
developing economies. Countries participating in the discussions
include Australia, Brazil, Senegal, Israel, Japan, Korea, New
Zealand, Ukraine, the USA and Turkey, with the European Union
also participating. They will also be joined by representatives
from global businesses, trade unions and civil society groups.
With challenges across the world in areas such as food, climate
change, biodiversity, security and the economy, the forum will
look to ensure the world can better make use of the opportunities
new technologies can delivery. From improving food security and
enabling affordable and clean energy that will lower consumer
bills, to enhanced healthcare and improved education and training
– all while avoiding the risks that come with them.
