Uncertain Futures and Connections Reimagined: Connecting Technologies

This program aimed to equip leaders with the necessary skills to address the rapidly changing world and the major global challenges we face today, including geopolitical tensions, climate change, demographic changes, and technological advancements. 

Skills required for leaders to navigate these challenges include visionary thinking, cross-cultural communication, interdisciplinary awareness, digital literacy, collaborative leadership, and global citizenship.

Leaders with these skills brought together diverse groups of people, bridged gaps between different disciplines, cultures, and ways of thinking, anticipated future challenges, and developed robust strategies to address them. They also promoted mutual respect, harnessing the power of technology, fostered partnerships and alliances, navigated uncertainty, embraced change, and worked towards the common good. By developing these skills and working together, we can build a better future for ourselves and future generations.

The goal of this Forum was to convene a network of Korean and global thought leaders to: 

•    Facilitate thought-provoking and inclusive discussion and foster exchange (on the themes identified) amongst a diverse group of interdisciplinary, intersectoral leaders to envision a better future. 

•    Encourage learning between network members and to transfer knowledge and experiences to societies of the future.

•    Generate action-oriented suggestions and recommendations that drive innovations and inspire global action to forge a better world.   

In an era of rapid technological advancements, the annual theme for 2024 of the KFAS-Salzburg Global Leadership Initiative, Connecting Technologies, invited us to explore how technology forms a complex web influencing economic growth, governance, societal equity, security, and environmental sustainability. The integration of AI and other technologies across all spheres of life presents unparalleled opportunities for progress. However, it also raised critical questions about the distribution of these advancements and their impacts on social equity. Policy makers and leaders are now faced with the dual challenge of catalyzing innovation while ensuring that the fruits of technological progress contribute to a fair and just society. This calls for visionary leadership and inclusive policies that bridge the gap between technological potential and equitable access and benefits for all.

Sub-Themes:

1. Technology, Growth, and Inequality: The Case of AI / The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a double-edged sword in terms of economic growth and societal inequality. While AI has significantly contributed to productivity improvements and innovation, leading to economic growth, it has also exacerbated income and wealth disparities. Studies indicate that AI-driven automation favors high-skill over low-skill labor, leading to a polarized job market and widening the income gap. According to the World Economic Forum, AI and automation are set to create 58 million new jobs by 2022, but the distribution of these opportunities often reflects existing inequalities. Furthermore, AI's impact on inequality is global, with developed nations harnessing more benefits than developing countries, potentially widening the global digital divide.

2. Big Tech and Governance: Market Power and Regulation / The dominance of Big Tech companies in global markets has raised significant governance and regulatory concerns. These entities, including Amazon, Google, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft, have amassed considerable market power, influencing economies, societies, and even political processes. The European Union has been at the forefront of regulating these giants, implementing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to protect consumer data. Additionally, there's a growing call for antitrust actions to curb their market dominance, as seen in the U.S. with the House Judiciary Committee’s investigation into Big Tech's market power. This tension highlights the challenge of governing entities that transcend national borders and have the power to influence both the economy and the information ecosystem.

3. Technology Ecosystem: Talent and Innovation / The talent flow in the technology ecosystem is characterized by a global migration towards innovation hubs. Silicon Valley, for instance, draws skilled professionals from around the world, contributing to its dynamism and diversity. However, this flow also creates challenges for countries losing talents, often referred to as 'brain drain,' impacting their potential for innovation and economic development. In response, countries and regions are developing new industrial policies to cultivate their innovation ecosystems. These policies range from investments in education and research to creating favorable tax and regulatory environments to attract startups and tech companies.

4. Economic Security: Technology Competition and Weaponization of Tech / The competition in technology, especially in fields like AI, cybersecurity, and telecommunications (e.g., 5G), has become a pivotal aspect of global economic security. Nations are increasingly viewing technological advancement as a strategic asset, leading to the weaponization of technology in geopolitical conflicts. The U.S.-China tech rivalry, encompassing issues from trade to technology transfer and the race for 5G supremacy, illustrates this trend. This competition raises concerns about the fragmentation of global tech standards and the emergence of 'tech blocs,' potentially hindering global innovation and cooperation.

5. Technology and Sustainable Development / The relationship between technology and the environment is complex, as technological advancements can both harm and help sustainable practices. On one hand, technologies like blockchain and AI offer innovative solutions to environmental monitoring, energy efficiency, and resource management, potentially aiding in the fight against climate change. On the other hand, the production and disposal of electronic devices pose significant environmental challenges, highlighting the need for sustainable manufacturing practices and circular economy principles. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize the role of technology in achieving environmental sustainability, calling for a balanced approach that harnesses technology's potential while mitigating its ecological impact.

September to November, 2024: On-Boarding Workshops
In online sessions, Fellows will focus on co-designing the goals of the program and building connections.

December 2024: Annual Forum
An in-person meeting in Salzburg will allow Fellows to undertake several activities intended to share their ideas and experiences, identify common areas of interest for collaborative action, and set both the on-going agenda and expectations for that action. The in-person meeting will also provide an opportunity to react to the needs expressed by Fellows during the online onboarding sessions for additional input on skills, deep sectoral or contextual knowledge, or motivation.

On-going: Continued collaboration via Salzburg Global’s online platform, Mobilize
Fellows will join Salzburg Global’s online network platform, Mobilize, as a means to begin virtual networking. The platform will also form the base for organizing and coordinating the collaborative initiatives of the teams and provide a space for on-going asynchronous debate in between other program activities.

Quarterly: Virtual Network Meetings
Quarterly online meetings of the core group will provide a space for Fellows to provide updates on the progress of their initiatives and request the input and support of the network as a whole.