Programme / Thematic session II/b – The Interplay Between and Regulation of Rapidly Developing Technologies

Summary of the session by session rapporteur Dr Bálint Hartmann, Senior Research Fellow, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Electric Power Engineering:

The session on “The Interplay Between and Regulation of Rapidly Developing Technologies” explored the dynamic relationship between emerging technologies and the regulatory frameworks that govern them. As innovation accelerates, technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology and quantum computing are increasingly converging, creating both opportunities and complexities.
This interplay often leads to unanticipated ethical, societal, and environmental implications, demanding nuanced regulatory responses. Reflecting on this issue, the panellists emphasized the importance of foresight on technology in their opening pitches. As Clarissa Rios Rojas (International Science Council) pointed out, "diplomatic talks and policy don't have the same speed as science and technology do".
A central challenge lies in fostering international cooperation, given the global nature of these technologies and the divergent regulatory approaches of various countries. One of the success stories is the "UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence", which is applicable to all 194 member states of UNESCO. Still, as AI is agnostic, risks of misuse are present. There is a need for transparent mechanisms to build public trust, since benefits are limitless, but so are the risks.
Yanan Sui (Tsinghua University) brought into the discussion the aspect of risk anticipation. As he pointed out, the field of AI dominantly relies on open sourcing, which not only accelerates the development of the technology, but allows the incorporation of the knowledge of agencies as well, thus providing a certain safeguard. In his reply, Thomas Hartung (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) voiced his doubts on slowing down AI development. As he said, "this year's AI is eight times more powerful than last year's", which also means that as soon as a new model is developed, it gets to be deployed. He also added that on the positive side AI liberates researchers and recreates a healthier work-think balance.

Discussing questions from the floor, the panellists emphasized stakeholder inclusivity, and anticipatory governance to ensure regulations remain relevant. The session provided insights into effective models of regulation and the roles of policymakers, industry leaders, and scientists in co-creating solutions.