WPL at the World Economic Forum

Women Political Leaders will host side sessions at World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos. This annual meeting engages the world’s top leaders in collaborative activities focused on shaping the global, regional and industry agendas.

Is the glass half full, or is it half empty? Is inclusive growth challenged by technology and geopolitics, or does innovation improve opportunities? Who sets the parameters, takes the leadership, and generates trust in this transformative age?

Institutions were not designed for the digital age. Experts, authorities and regulators today are outscored in credibility by peers, friends, colleagues and fellow users, a trend facilitated by tech platforms. Artificial Intelligence systems (and the platforms and IoT sensors which feed data into them) are impacting governments, enterprises, individuals and institutions. The technology-driven change has massive consequences for the way we live, love, work, bank and consume. Innovative platforms are becoming the new institutions. However, their lack of legibility and transparency creates a fog of understanding over how AI and IoT are shaping society.

The big questions in urgent need of answers are: how do we design decision-making that effectively incorporates algorithms? How can we ensure that a digital environment is a driver of inclusion, economic development and social progress?

This session is organised in cooperation with EY.