Today marks the start of two major global events addressing technology, climate, and the pressing issues of our time: COP29 in Baku and Web Summit in Lisbon. These gatherings are bring together influential tech leaders, policymakers, and environmental advocates to tackle everything from AI’s environmental impact to social media’s role in polarizing politics.
With a projected 70,000+ attendees, government leaders, and business representations at both Web Summit and COP29, TF is previewing what’s on the the docket.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Web Summit: Lisbon’s Tech Extravaganza
Web Summit 2024 kicks off today in Lisbon, gathering tech’s biggest names and hosting discussions centered on artificial intelligence (AI), ethics, sustainability, and the impact of social media. Featuring notable attendees like Microsoft’s Brad Smith, Hugging Face’s Thomas Wolf, Qualcomm’s Cristiano Amon, and various government leaders, the conference promises critical conversations on technology’s role in shaping society.
- AI and Creativity: The event brings together tech innovators and creatives, including celebrities like Pharrell Williams and Imogen Heap, emphasizing the intersection of tech and artistry.
- Social Media & Polarization: Topics like misinformation and hate speech will be dissected. Football legend Gilberto Silva is set to address strategies for combating social media toxicity.
- Election Impact: The recent U.S. election of Donald Trump has ignited discussions on technology’s role in shaping public opinion and political influence, highlighted by activist DeRay McKesson’s talk on disinformation.
Web Summit also brings some tech fun with innovations like an AI cocktail maker, blending tech with everyday experiences and underscoring AI’s diverse applications in both entertainment and functionality.
A Return to Web Summit for Paddy Cosgrave
After stepping down last year amid controversy, Web Summit co-founder Paddy Cosgrave returns to his role as CEO. His absence followed backlash over comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict which led to high-profile speakers withdrawing from the summit. This year’s lineup still includes major players like Meta, Amazon, and former Wikipedia CEO Katherine Maher.
COP29: Technology Meets Climate Action in Baku
As the United Nations’ 29th annual climate summit unfolds in Baku, technology and AI are integral parts of the conversation. For the first time, COP29 will host a “Digitalisation Day,” dedicated to exploring how AI, data centers, and digital solutions impact global emissions. This year’s summit brings tech leaders and policymakers together in an unprecedented way, pushing digital solutions to the core of the climate agenda.
- AI’s Environmental Impact: AI-driven data centers consume vast amounts of electricity, adding to greenhouse gas emissions. A UN report shows AI and cloud computing have dramatically increased emissions since 2020. This summit aims to align the tech industry’s growth with sustainable practices.
- Sustainable AI Solutions: Solutions like nuclear-powered data centers and underwater cooling facilities are emerging as potential green options for AI infrastructure.
- Global Collaboration: For the first time, environment and digital ministers will meet to discuss AI’s dual role in both environmental challenges and solutions. Tomas Lamanauskas, deputy secretary-general of the UN’s ITU, highlights the importance of integrating digital initiatives into core climate strategies, ensuring technology supports, rather than harms, climate goals.
TF Summary: What’s Next
Both COP29 and Web Summit serves as vital inflections points for integrating technology with social and environmental agendas. Web Summit offers a platform for discussing technology’s role in public life, especially in light of the recent U.S. election. COP29 pushes for sustainable practices to mitigate technologies’ climate impacts. These events begin to framework methods by which technology can propel innovation, but further contribute actively to global social and environmental goals.
— Text-to-Speech (TTS) provided by gspeech