WASHINGTON (May 18, 2023) – The Group of Seven leaders’ summit officially kicks off tomorrow in Japan, with China and Russia set to be key topics of discussion. According to The New York Times, the G7 leaders are also expected to wade into new territories with “the first conversations among the world’s largest democratic economies about a common approach to regulating the use of generative artificial intelligence programs like GPT-4.”
GW faculty experts are available to offer insight and analysis on a number of key topics set to be discussed at this weekend’s summit, including Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine, deteriorating U.S.-China relations as well as global China relations, and AI governance. If you would like to speak with an expert, please contact GW Media Relations Specialist Cate Douglass at [email protected].
AI Governance & Trustworthy AI
Susan Ariel Aaronson, research professor of international affairs, is the director of the Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub and a co-PI at the NSF TRAILS Institute on trustworthy AI. Her research focuses on AI governance, data governance, competitiveness in data-driven services such as XR and AI, and digital trade. She has been following the developments of the G7 digital ministers, noting that it appears the ministers are moving away from trustworthy AI to a more risk management approach.
China and International Tensions
Robert Sutter, Professor of Practice of International Affairs, is an expert on U.S.-China relations, China’s rise-domestic and international implications, Chinese foreign relations; Contemporary U.S. policy toward Asia and the Pacific, and political, security and economic development in Asia and the Pacific. Sutter’s government career saw service as senior specialist and director of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division of the Congressional Research Service, the National Intelligence Officer for East Asia and the Pacific at the US Government’s National Intelligence Council, the China division director at the Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research and professional staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
John W. Tai, professorial lecturer at the GW Elliott School of International Affairs, is a specialist on China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. He has advised the U.S. intelligence community and provided support to the U.S. Department of State. Earlier in his career, he served as an analyst at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. His research interests include Taiwan’s diplomacy, Taiwan’s relations with China and Hong Kong, and China’s effort to expand its global influence. Tai has also recently written about complex relations with China from South Korea's perspective, in which he discusses how many countries around the world are thinking about how to address China's growing threat and hostility without jeopardizing their robust economic ties (and for many countries, economic dependency) with China.
Russia and its War in Ukraine
Robert Orttung, research professor of international affairs, is an expert on comparative politics, Russia, Ukraine, energy security, federalism, and democracy. He can discuss Russian politics, Russian-Ukrainian relations and all issues related to urban politics in Eurasia. Orttung can also discuss Vladimir Putin’s legacy and governance as well as the future of Russia.
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