“We desire a future in which human intelligence and machine intelligence empower each other.” Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Craig Mundie in Genesis, 2024
The last two months have seen intense global activity in the AI field, including the launch of Stargate, DeepSeek, the EU InvestAI initiative and the Canada AI Advantage package. Tensions between nations are high. The Paris AI Summit last week exposed major rifts in global AI governance, with the US and UK refusing to sign the final Summit Declaration. An upcoming summit has the potential to foster deeper understanding of the human brain-AI dynamics, leading to renewed close cooperation among G7 nations. This could also provide the impetus for the EU to stand up for its values to shape the future development of AI.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be an extension of our human capabilities and play a powerful role in improving brain health and fostering the creativity needed for innovation. As EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the Paris AI Summit last week: “The time has come for us to formulate a vision of where we want AI to take us, as society and humanity”.
In this context, a G7 Canada Brain Economy Summit has been proposed to prioritise investments in brain health and skills on the basis of coordinated efforts across research, innovation and policy. This presents a pivotal opportunity to explore the transformative potential of AI in fostering a thriving global brain economy, whilst securing safety in the face of powerful AI systems. After all, the most efficient computer on earth remains the human brain.
As Nobel prize-winning economist, Robert Shiller, previously noted, “The brain, the computer, and the economy: all three are devices whose purpose is to solve fundamental information problems in coordinating the activities of individual units – the neurons, the transistors, or individual people. As we improve our understanding of the problems that any one of these devices solves – and how it overcomes obstacles in doing so – we learn something valuable about all three.”
The proposal for a G7 Canada Brain Economy Summit comes after von der Leyen’s call for AI that is cooperative and “brings talents together from different countries, sectors and backgrounds”. With AI safety glaringly absent at the Paris AI Summit, the G7 Summit is an opportunity to address the need for responsible innovation, investing, research, education and public policy. All these are crucial to harnessing AI's capabilities while mitigating its risks.
The promise of AI
As we delve into the intricacies of the brain economy, it is imperative to recognise both the immense benefits and the potential drawbacks of AI. Generative AI has the potential to revolutionise productivity across various sectors. It is reshaping the future of work and has the potential to boost educational opportunities and outcomes, increasing the accessibility of quality and personalised education to all. By automating routine tasks, AI allows professionals to focus on more complex and creative endeavours. For instance, AI-driven tools can assist in content creation, design and data analysis, leading to enhanced efficiency and innovation.
AI is also poised to make significant contributions to brain health. In drug development, AI algorithms can analyse vast datasets to identify potential therapeutic targets and predict drug efficacy, accelerating the discovery process. Additionally, AI-powered diagnostics and patient monitoring can improve the accuracy and speed of detecting brain and mental conditions, enabling timely interventions and personalised treatment plans, thereby also improving clinical decision-making as well as patients’ self-management of their conditions.
Side effects may include…
At the same time, the extensive and uncontrolled use of AI can also have some potentially negative consequences. The pervasive use of AI algorithms in digital platforms can lead to addictive behaviours, as users become increasingly reliant on AI-driven recommendations. This raises concerns about cognitive liberty, where individuals' thought processes and decision-making may be unduly influenced by AI. Over-reliance on AI for information and decision-making can also erode critical thinking skills. As AI systems provide ready-made answers, individuals may become less inclined to engage in independent analysis and problem-solving, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities.
AI's capabilities can equally be exploited by malign actors to spread disinformation and engage in cognitive warfare. The weaponisation of AI poses a significant threat to societal stability, as it can be used to manipulate public opinion, disrupt democratic processes, incite conflict, and deplete mental health and well-being, particularly among young people.
The automation of tasks traditionally performed by humans can result in job displacements across various industries. While AI can create new opportunities, it is essential to address the potential socioeconomic impacts and ensure that workers are equipped with the skills needed for the evolving job market.
The AI-brain nexus has powerful potential
The G7 Canada Brain Economy Summit will play a crucial role in developing novel strategies for responsible AI integration. For Europe, this is an opportunity to seize upon the new growth-focused international narrative around AI as an opportunity not a threat. The EU should call for a high-level public-private brain economy-AI advisory group, to inform the work of the United Nations AI Advisory Body. It can be a constructive and collaborative dialogue amid tensions in AI innovation and policy among G7 members.
Moreover, in the context of the upcoming Summit, the EU should call for investment in responsible innovation, by encouraging investments in AI technologies that prioritise ethical considerations and societal well-being. The EU should also stress the importance of promoting interdisciplinary research to understand AI's impact on brain health and fostering educational programmes that equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to navigate an AI-driven world.
Whereas the AI Paris Summit was a missed opportunity to address AI risks and harms, the EU should use the upcoming G7 Summit as a platform to call for policies and foresight mechanisms that safeguard against the misuse of AI, protect cognitive liberty, and support workforce transitions in the face of automation. All of this while ensuring that AI acts to enhance the potential of other technologies and make a meaningful difference in science and industry – the process that Mario Draghi referred to as “AI verticals” in his competitiveness report.
With tensions between nations running high and global AI governance under pressure, the brain economy can act as leverage, with Europe leading the way. The EU is well positioned to broaden the discussion and include the brain economy as part of the global conversation. The G7 Canada Brain Economy Summit and other initiatives should aim to harness the full potential of AI to drive economic growth, enhance brain health, and ensure a sustainable and equitable future for all. For Europe, this a pivotal moment to strengthen its vision for the future of AI and reposition the EU in the global race to shape its development.
Harris Eyre is Lead and Senior Fellow for Neuro-Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and Executive Director of the Brain Capital Alliance and the Brain Economy Hub.
Elizabeth Kuiper is Associate Director at the European Policy Centre.
Paweł Świeboda is Senior Visiting Fellow at the European Policy Centre, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Future Generations and Co-Founder of the Brain Capital Alliance and Brain Economy Hub.
Frédéric Destrebecq is Executive Director of the European Brain Council.
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