Constant learning is a wonderful aspect of life. Blessed are those who have access to knowledge, technology, and the means to absorb knowledge in life. Meeting distinct personalities for their amazing work and getting to know their journey towards their goals is fascinating. On these lines INDIAai got in touch with Jean Garcia Periche to understand his work towards AI and his thoughts on how AI is all set to make its mark in the field of diplomacy and geopolitics.

Jean García Periche is Co-Founder and Chief Government Officer of GENIA, an organisation pioneering AI Diplomacy and promoting regional development of Artificial Intelligence in Latin America. He is also the founder of Global Neo, which is developing frameworks for Smart Government and Global Governance. Jean holds the position of the President of the Centre for Political Innovation, that is incubating a new generation of leaders, working for Smart Cities and the sustainable development of communities. 

He is a Political Scientist and Economist with experience in Anthropology, Exponential Technologies, Public Administration, and Diplomacy.

Jibu: Jean, Can you please share GENIA's work around AI?

Jean: Through our work with GENIA we are aiming to include Latin America into the global development of AI. We are developing regional AI strategy for Latin America we are rolling out network of AI laboratories in the region. We are also developing a framework to seek international agreements to promote AI developments

Jibu: Can you throw some light on the role of AI in diplomacy?

Jean: With our work on AI diplomacy we are working with several governments in the region to promote research, development, agreements for governance and regulations, investment and more. Role of AI in geopolitics is definitely promising. Also, AI will add $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030, which makes AI the most valuable opportunity for the coming decades.

I also believe, based on the stats above, in terms of regional competitiveness, AI is fundamental factor and hence more than 50 countries including India are strategising their efforts around AI.

This also makes AI a hot topic and critical to IR as decision makers, policymakers are now being aware of AI and its strategic value in terms of polity objectives. It is now a priority for international businesses, governments, regions, nations to maintain a competitive edge in the AI revolution.

Jibu: With latin America not being proficient in terms of technological innovation compared to China, USA, and EU, what is the status of Latin America in terms of AI development?

Jean: I agree Latin America is still lagging behind in terms of the progress, however nations like Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico are showing significant progress and are doing good in terms of AI readiness. 

The main reason or problem for this lag according to me is the lack of regional efforts. National efforts definitely are important but are not sufficient when it comes to succeed in the current competitive scenario. Isolated efforts will not be enough for Latin America to lead in AI innovation and hence we are working to regionalise the efforts.

Jibu: Jean, you mentioned the exceptional progress that Uruguay is exhibiting in terms of technical progress, what are the factors driving it?

Jean: Uruguay for that matter has a political culture that is very organised and in terms of management the size of the territory and small population acts as an advantage. Also, private sector ecosystem is great which is helping it grow.

Jibu: Looking at the political instability in various nations in Latin America many countries fall under the category of being left out or are totally unprepared to take benefits of the fourth industrial revolution. How do you feel your work can address the issues in hand?

Jean: The fact is that political instability is the biggest obstacle in the AI progress in Latin America. Colombia actually is doing great which shall boost the other nations in the continent to look at AI as not a cost but as an investment. The benefits of AI adoption shall be considered by policymakers and governments in strategising to leapfrog in this industrial revolution. Changing the focus and model of governance is the key to get over the lag and make the most of the swift technological transitions.

Jibu: Countries like India countries and countries in Latin America have been victims of colonialization for centuries. Are we about to witness a similar threat, if we don’t act now?

Jean:  Absolutely yes! France recently in the introduction of its AI strategy said that it shall not become a cyber or digital colonialism of US or China. Hence, for France which has traditionally been a colonial country has this feeling, the situation is even intense of us at Latin American or even India. The idea is not to replicate or assimilate others, rather we need our own solutions and our own solutions.

Jibu: What is your opinion on both China and US using their own advantages in a race to make a lead in terms of being an AI superpower?

Jean: Yes definitely US right now is the super power but it will not be the only super power as China is coming up with fascinating progress I the field of AI. My only fear is that with both the countries getting into a war the rest of the countries in the middle might end up having to choose or follow China over US or US over China. Which is not a great situation for our own growths and this looks like being a part of cold war 2.0.

Jibu: What is the role your organisation is going to play to change the current scenario?

Jean: With GENIA we are trying to regionalise the developments of AI and create a real ecosystems which doesn’t exist so far through international coalition of governments, public and private sector, academia. We are planning to launch this coalition soon with our work oriented towards creating an AI ecosystem. We are hopeful and determined that it is for common good and peoples lives are going to be positively affected.