Protester Interrupts London AI Summit Over Big Tech Concerns

Embassy Residence Hosts High-Level Talks on Artificial Intelligence Policy

The AI (Tomorrow Summit) London event was organized in cooperation with the Yapay Zeka Politikaları Derneği (AIPA) and the Turkish Embassy in London, focusing on the economic and ethical consequences of artificial intelligence. Held at the Ambassador’s residence under the hosting of Turkey’s Ambassador to London, Osman Koray Ertaş, the gathering examined the impact of artificial intelligence on developing economies.

The panel, moderated by AIPA Vice President Kaan Turgut Özal, was attended by AIPA President Zafer Küçükşabanoğlu, Data Reply Partner Fabio Ardossi, TerraQuantum Managing Director and Global Trade Director Vishal Shete, Hoxton Ventures Partner Payton Dobbs, and UBS Wealth Management Director Amit Singh, alongside numerous invited guests.

Ambassador Ertaş stated in his speech that the panel demonstrated the importance Turkey gives to artificial intelligence studies, mentioning that the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy prepared by the Presidency’s Digital Transformation Office and other stakeholders constitutes an important step in this regard. Sharing that he prepared a section of his speech with ChatGPT to show that artificial intelligence has become a part of diplomatic efforts as well, Ertaş evaluated that artificial intelligence offers a brand-new world in the field of diplomacy.

Ertaş emphasized that thanks to AI-supported data analysis and predictive modeling, diplomats can gain deeper evaluations regarding complex geopolitical issues, reporting that artificial intelligence can facilitate bringing more strategic approaches to international relations. Ambassador Ertaş stated, Diplomats can use the real-time monitoring capabilities of artificial intelligence to quickly detect emerging crises, respond to them, and encourage proactive conflict resolution efforts. Pointing out that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated a digital diplomacy initiative that pioneered the creation of innovative platforms including the artificial intelligence application Hızır (chatbot) used to ensure the effective provision of consular services, Ertaş thanked AIPA President Küçükşabanoğlu and his team for their contributions to organizing the panel.

Economic Realities, Labor Shifts, and Global Disparities

AIPA President Küçükşabanoğlu touched upon the effects of artificial intelligence on economic growth, expressing that the world is developing very rapidly and artificial intelligence is transforming the world. Stating that it is not possible to have a strong economy without artificial intelligence today, Küçükşabanoğlu noted that artificial intelligence is inevitable for both Turkey and the world and will affect all sectors.

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Küçükşabanoğlu stated, Artificial intelligence will leave numerous people unemployed, but it will also create new jobs.

Protest Disrupts Panel Over Environmental and Security Concerns

Meanwhile, an event titled Artificial Intelligence Vision organized by a visual design application in London’s capital was protested by a group named “Pull the Plug,” which carries out actions against the impact of artificial intelligence on society, environment, and economy. A female activist who was a member of the group stood up from her chair and made a protest to the speakers. Causing the panel titled Why London, Why Now? to take a break, the female activist shouted, People are scared. People are scared when they hear that there is a 10 percent chance that artificial intelligence will destroy us all in the next 10 years. They are scared of 500 working data centers dragging two-thirds of the country into drought.

Recalling the cyber security tests conducted by OpenAI where artificial intelligence agents targeted systems in the infrastructure of the “Hugging Face” platform, the activist said, We all know what this means. At best, the guys holding this technology are incompetent. In the worst-case scenario, we are all heading toward a disaster. Emphasizing that despite what is happening, the future of artificial intelligence is discussed at the event while the fears caused by artificial intelligence are not spoken about, the activist stated, Where is the transparency? Where are the regulations? Where is the election? Is there anyone among us who holds a referendum or votes? No, because we all know what the answer is. Regulation! But regulations don’t make shareholders happy.

The activist stated that some activities regarding artificial intelligence should be temporarily halted, saying, Instead of the billionaires of big tech companies in Silicon Valley who do not look out for our interests regarding artificial intelligence, we need to ensure that ordinary people have a say. Underlining that citizens are the first to feel the effects of artificial intelligence, the activist asked, They are the ones who feel the effects of data centers first, but they are the ones who have a say last. Artificial intelligence is stealing from people. You are driving local communities into poverty and economically deteriorated conditions. Resources are running out. These are Silicon Valley billionaires. Do you really think they will look out for your interests? The activist, who caused the panel attended by fund representatives providing financing to entrepreneurs to be interrupted, was removed from the hall by officials while continuing her speech.

Regarding the protest, an explanation was shared by the Pull the Plug group on their accounts on Bluesky, an application established in the US against X company owner Elon Musk. In the statement regarding the Artificial Intelligence Vision event, it was characterized as A meeting where big tech investors and founders of artificial intelligence ventures meet, but we reject, where they optimistically discuss the future of artificial intelligence which is the future.