In a secretive event shrouded in mystique and controversy, global elites are gathering in Portugal this weekend to deliberate on pressing issues, ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. This covert assembly, known as the Bilderberg Meeting, attracted a variety of heavyweights, such as Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, World Economic Forum President Børge Brende, and Stacey Abrams, a two-time failed Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Georgia.
The Bilderberg Meeting is an exclusive annual event to foster dialogue between North American and European elites. An estimated 130 participants representing 23 nations are set to attend the conference. Key attendees will range from financial titans and government officials to tech gurus among the broad sweep of sectors and disciplines at the summit.
Big names in AI to convene at secretive Bilderberg meeting https://t.co/C7SByk80Bp
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The meeting is hosted under the aegis of the Chatham House Rule, meaning that while attendees can utilize the information gleaned from discussions, they must not reveal the identities of the speakers or any other participants. This practice claims to promote openness and candid conversations. However, it fuels speculation about the nature of the discussions behind closed doors.
According to the meeting’s website, this private forum allows participants to “listen, reflect and gather insights,” unhampered by their official roles or pre-established positions. However, this liberty to converse freely has given rise to conspiracy theories, with some skeptics suggesting that these elites might be seeking to impose some form of ideological order on the world.
Participants from the Biden administration include former National Economic Council director Brian Deese and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines. On the tech front, the guest list includes luminaries like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Altman recently called for government regulation on AI, describing the recent advances as a “watershed moment.” The concern is that unregulated AI could fall into the wrong hands, leading to potential misuse of the technology. However, skeptics argue Altman seeks to protect his business by manipulating regulations.
Participants will also discuss geopolitical topics such as China’s growing influence, the global role of the U.S., and the ongoing wartime crisis in Ukraine. Those deliberations will reflect the intersection of technology and international politics, an increasingly relevant subject in a world that is becoming more digitized and interconnected.
