During the 2026 Ethics and Tech conference at Seattle University, Amandeep Singh Gill, the United Nations’ Under-Secretary and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, addressed critical issues surrounding artificial intelligence. He highlighted the stark contrast in AI resource availability, noting that while big tech firms utilize millions of GPUs for training AI models, Africa, with its vast population of over 1.5 billion, has fewer than 1,000 GPUs accessible for local research.
Gill emphasized the concentration of technological power and wealth in specific regions, particularly in the United States. His remarks resonated with the audience, as he referenced the zip codes of major companies like Amazon and Microsoft, illustrating the geographic disparity in tech resources.
He described 2026 as a pivotal year for AI governance, stressing the need for a global approach to address emerging risks associated with AI systems. Gill warned that current advancements in AI could lead to systemic risks, potentially undermining cybersecurity, exacerbating armed conflicts, and eroding public trust through misinformation.
Furthermore, he raised concerns about the environmental impact of AI, noting that the energy demands of large models threaten global climate objectives.