Thousands of tech innovators and thought leaders gathered at Web Summit Vancouver last week, where discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) dominated the stage. Among the voices calling for urgent action on AI governance was Bethany Edmunds, a leading expert from Northeastern University, who emphasized the need to address regulatory gaps in this rapidly evolving field.
💡 Why it matters: As AI reshapes industries from healthcare to finance, Edmunds warned that current frameworks are struggling to keep pace. "We’re building planes while they’re already in the air," she told CGTN’s Dan Williams, highlighting risks like algorithmic bias and data privacy concerns.
🌍 Global collaboration is key: Edmunds stressed that solving AI’s challenges requires cross-border cooperation, comparing the effort to climate change negotiations. Her talk resonated with young entrepreneurs and students in attendance, many of whom are already developing AI-driven startups.
🚀 What’s next? While acknowledging AI’s potential to drive innovation, Edmunds urged tech leaders to "prioritize ethics alongside efficiency"—a message that sparked lively debates at after-event networking sessions.
