The topic of artificial intelligence has become dominant at Davos, overshadowing even pressing issues such as trade tariffs and international competition. Unlike last year, when the Chinese company DeepSeek attracted attention with its AI model, this year's discussions covered a broader range of topics, including the application of AI, its risks, and its impact on workflows and society.
Here are the key points made by technology leaders in Davos.
Satya Nadella: "Using AI for real benefit"
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized that AI should serve real benefits for people, communities, and countries. He stressed that the use of AI should be aimed at improving lives, despite the uneven distribution of access to this technology around the world.
Nadella also highlighted the importance of creating the necessary conditions, such as attracting investments and developing infrastructure, to realize the potential of AI. He pointed out that major tech companies are actively investing, including in countries of the Global South, but the success of these efforts depends on policies that stimulate both public and private capital.
Dario Amodei: "It is necessary to control the sale of chips"
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, also shared his thoughts on the future of AI, emphasizing the importance of regulating this technology. He warned of the risks associated with the potential loss of control over AI after the creation of artificial general intelligence (AGI), when AI could compete with human capabilities.
In his opinion, preventing the sale of chips to China is a critically important step to ensure safety and control over the development of AI. He expressed concern about the implications for U.S. leadership in this area if the sale of AI chips, such as Nvidia H200, continues.
Amodei also noted that while AI is not currently having a significant impact on the labor market, changes are already being observed in the programming field, and in the future, AI could threaten entry-level jobs.
Demis Hassabis: "New meaningful professions will emerge"
Demis Hassabis, head of Google DeepMind, expressed a more optimistic view of the future. He suggested that new technologies will lead to the emergence of more meaningful jobs, although internships may become less common.
Hassabis urged students to use their time to master new tools that will become available, emphasizing that this could be more beneficial than traditional internships. He also warned that with the advent of AGI, the labor market will face new challenges, raising important questions about the meaning and purpose of work.
Additionally, he noted that in the context of geopolitical competition, AI safety standards are being developed too quickly, and he called for a more thoughtful approach to this issue to ensure safety for society.
