By Jesinta Adams

Yet another exciting session of the ‘Understanding AI Program’ presented by the Silkroad 4.0 Platform, the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES), European Perspectives, through the forthcoming Global Academy for Geo-politico-tech Futures (GPTF), and their consortium of partners (such as the D-8, ICCD, IAF, THC, Diplomatic Academy, Diplomatic Magazine, and the like), turned the focus on how AI is reshaping global security, defence strategies, and geopolitical power dynamics. This round of mesmerising and farfetched talks, under the theme of “Defensive Modernisation as the Technology Driver”, offered timely and insightful exchanges that bridged military innovation with ethical, legal, and global implications.

The 3rd round of mesmerising lectures explored various critical themes: how human presence-eliminating technologies are altering security doctrines, the geopolitical implications of multi-spatial tech reach, and the legal and ethical challenges in regulating AI across borders. Other discussion points included sovereignty and security in the digital age, the role of AI in major military confrontation theatres, and the urgent need for global governance frameworks to manage this transformation.

The first keynote guest, Ambassador Ali Goutali, of the Jeddah-based OIC, brought a diplomatic and scholarly lens to the conversation. With over two decades of ambassadorial service and a strong academic background, Ambassador Goutali reminded us of the dual nature of AI. He described AI as a force of promise — for knowledge-sharing among nations, early warning systems for pandemics, and enhanced surveillance — but also one of equal risk. Ambassador warned that AI, if unchecked, could dismantle governments and destabilise wisdom-based governance.

This top MENA diplomat from Tunisia called for the establishment of global conventions on AI use, similar to the Geneva Conventions, to protect humanity and maintain ethical boundaries. His conclusion was clear: more member states must actively engage in AI protocols to prevent future misuse.

Multi-spatial and multidimensional nature of future wars

In the second keynote, former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Croatia Admiral Davor Domazet-Lošo shared his insights on evolving military doctrines. A former combat commander, and later prolific author on military strategy, Admiral Domazet-Lošo explored the rise of information warfare. He warned that such warfare blocks a person’s ability to think independently — an effect that can be seen even among world leaders. He cited China’s AI capabilities as being significantly ahead of the United States and spoke of China’s “deep seek” AI system, which, in his words, embodies the true potential of artificial intelligence. He emphasised that AI-driven military strategy is now operating in hyper-real time, reducing detection and response time from one hour to mere seconds (doctrines of real time shifting to the network doctrines of hyper-real time). The goal for all militaries, he suggested, is to discover, decide, and destroy — faster than ever before.

Hyper-real time warfare naturally blurs the boundary between perception and action, where information dominance and computational speed become as critical as kinetic force. This doctrine will surely raise significant ethical, legal, and strategic challenges, including concerns over human oversight, escalatory dynamics and de-escalatory potentials, false data entries and accuracy and speed of mistake detection and correction – hence an entire reliability of real-time data streams.

Based on his previous exchanges (on the trajectory of Asian security) with the ‘Understanding AI’ program originator, prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, Admiral Lošo singled out the military theatre more neuralgic than the current ones in Eastern Europe and in the Middle East: “The hyper real-time potential of combat in Indo-Pacific, so packed with mega-demographies and mega-economies, hence projection drives is possible yet still avoidable. It would be a sobering study in technological velocity and strategic ambiguity to analyse every perspective thoroughly. Unlike the Adriatic or even Mediterranean, where engagements are relatively constrained by geography and proximities of all sorts, the Indo-Pacific – especially Malacca Straits and South China Sea – is a volatile mesh of overlapping claims, promising yet imperfect unmanned systems, (inadequately tested) hypersonic threats, and AI-driven targeting loops.

In such an environment – including the inner seas of archipelagic states of Indonesia and the Philippines, but also Malaysia and VietNam, decision cycles will be compressed to seconds, not hours, with autonomous swarms and satellite-linked ISR platforms dictating the tempo. As a former Chief-of Staff, admiral and combat army officer of a historic naval country (right between Ancient Greece and Roman Empire, Phoenicians and Venetians), I would note with high concern how conventional naval doctrine falters when even milliseconds of latency could determine the survivability of a ship—raising critical questions about control, accountability, and escalation in a digitally saturated battlespace where the line between provocation and war is algorithmically blurred.“

Takeaways from Singapore

The main speaker for the session was Lily Ong, a geopolitical and cybersecurity analyst from Singapore. A former Track I and Track II diplomat in the United States, Ong took a brief departure from her attendance at the Global Digital Forum to deliver a compelling presentation on how AI is transforming global power dynamics. She walked us through AI’s military applications — from automated defence systems and predictive analytics to offensive cyber operations and information warfare. Ong emphasised that AI is not only changing how wars are fought but also how power is projected and negotiated. Her talk also explored the ethical and legal questions surrounding AI-enabled warfare, and she challenged us to think about the shifting nature of trust, sovereignty, and responsibility in a hyper-connected world.

One of the most striking moments in her presentation was her response to a participant who asked why countries would pursue such advanced AI capabilities if they introduce greater instability. Her answer was sobering: “The genie is already out of the bag – there’s no putting it back.” Instead, countries — especially those in the Global South — must focus on keeping up, not only to stay relevant but to protect themselves. She stressed that education is key to this transformation and urged the Global South to come to the AI table so that they could contribute to capacity building through education, innovation, and shared expertise.

Ong concluded by accentuating that the new arms race formulated upon technological sovereignty would enable more actors – including smaller states and non-state actors – to shoot above their calibre, introducing a layer of complexity to the AI-enabled warfare environment.

The session closed with a unifying message from all speakers: the urgency for better global protocols, more inclusive international participation, and a deeper emphasis on education. The generational gap was also addressed, with a call for both the tech-fluent younger generation and the cautious older generation to learn about AI risks and opportunities — together. It is no longer an option to retreat – adaptation is imperative.

The third session of the extraordinary Program, unparalleled anyone in the world provided not only deep strategic insights but also a human-centred reflection on the challenges we face as AI advances at breakneck speed. From military use to global governance, the message was consistent: AI is here, and it demands collective oversight and responsibility.

The fascinating and content intensive voyage of knowledge sets its uncharted waters sail. It will reach its next mesmerising port of wisdom and insights on 12^th of June by hosting the new round of fascinating keynotes and lecturers.

About the author:

Jesinta Adams is a rising voice in the field of AI operations and data services. She is the Founder of SouthLoop Data Africa, a human-in-the-loop data labelling company focused on providing clean, accurate datasets for AI development while creating opportunities for skilled youth and women in the Global South.

She currently heads the invoice processing division at a US-based tech company, overseeing AI-driven data annotation, validation, and financial automation processes. She is a passionate advocate for digital inclusion, capacity building, and ethical AI.

By Mostafa Sayyadi & Michael J. Provitera

Business journalism is important to the vibrance of society and must be held at the helm of public reporting on issues that matter to people that care. Democracy across the globe is our intent with this opinion because without democracy we have conflict. Democracy is played out in the media by specifying the roles of business journalism to achieve an objective to create the paradigm of free speech coupled with true facts. Breaking the paradigm of democracy includes a distinct set of concepts that constitute legitimate contributions to social communication and development.

Business journalism provides guidance and inspiration using eight factors to engage citizens for success in achieving a higher level of democracy in a society. The critical role of business journalism in each factor emphasizes what, at minimum, needs to be conveyed by business journalists. For example, business journalism helps citizens reach goals and objectives that they may not consider otherwise, and, most importantly, knowledge and coverage of pertinent content helps people set meaningful goals in an engaging and effective manner. The factors we propose below provide a win-win scenario of democracy, sustainability, and citizen satisfaction. The goal here, is to develop- and -build democracy, inspire citizens, and increase their satisfaction with their society so that they can become more engaged and productive. Eight factors that contribute to democracy success and citizen engagement are:      

Political Equality

Business journalism offers a diverse pool of practical information on public issues. This practical information inspires citizens to be responsive and engaged in voting, running for office, or speaking on public issues. The positive effect of this factor is realized when the citizens feel empowered and are acting as agents of change for themselves, their significant others, and the communities in which they live.

Political Liberties

Leading people, speaking up, and being a role model as an informal leader is the intention of the business journalists. Alleviating anxiety for speaking freely and winning the hearts and minds of citizens that vote without intimidation.

Personal Liberties

Business journalism helps citizens feel the freedom of being a part of society and taking responsibility with free expression of personal opinions for the good of world stage.

Being Informed and Involved

Business journalism requires that information and communication shape societies for the better good. Involving every voice of every citizen as assessors of the status-quo to have a better-informed judgement when making suggestions for improvement in society at large.

Respect

Business journalism attempts to satisfy the desires of each citizen. Especially those that may lack a sense of respect towards the rights of others. Creating the best combination of information and common interest to instill a sense of respect all humanity.

Common Good

Business journalism is particularly effective in situations where citizens are lacking the drive, the wherewithal, and the to work on the common good of society to stimulate enthusiasm in a positive way.

Human Dignity

Business journalism sets the environment for protecting, upholding, and understanding the dignity of all citizens. Helping people to perform their personal best, even if it means refraining from hurtful speech or actions. Providing citizens, from all nations, with a clear and concise justification of respect toward all opinions with empathy.

Rule of Law

Business journalism clarifies the need for the golden rule, what one wants for oneself should be what one wants for society at large. Helping all citizens to be engaged to not only learn the rules of common law but also encourage them to implement these laws in their daily lives. Focusing more on the platinum rule that states that we should treat others the way they want to be treated.

In summary, business journalism is responsible in being a facilitator of knowledge and information that provides a common voice for democracy. With democracy, at its best, citizens may accomplish the eight factors noted above with effectiveness and efficiency. Business journalism’s role, therefore, is to assist citizens and encourage them to align with democracy. Thus, providing the support needed to ensure that each individual voice is heard, and personal aspirations are adhered to, for the common good of society at large. Satisfying each citizen’s desire to become a facilitator of change with the knowledge and information as it transpires, in real time, to be more effective at everything they touch. As an inspirer to make the world a safer and better place, the business journalist, builds equity, inclusion, and a voice of solidarity to people worldwide.

By Zhou Chao, Research Fellow for Geopolitical Strategy programme at ANBOUND

It is undeniable that, as of this year, the process of de-globalization has been unfolding for nearly a decade. The increasing divergence in global economic development patterns is now a widely accepted reality. When considering the countries and regions poised to take leading roles in the future global economic landscape, a range of perspectives has emerged. Some analysts predict that, thanks to its youthful population and growing economic power, India will solidify its position in the global economy. Others suggest that Southeast Asian countries, particularly Vietnam, will emerge as key players due to similar advantages. Additionally, some experts anticipate a promising future for the five Central Asian countries. However, in these discussions, the Americas seem to be somewhat overlooked.

In terms of the future global economic structure, the “Century of the Americas” should not be underestimated. Latin American countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, as well as North American countries, including the United States and Canada, will occupy a more important position in the global economic structure, with greater influence.

The past emphasis on the economic dimensions of globalization has been somewhat one-sided and superficial. This focus has led to the development of overly complex and extended global supply chains, which have proven vulnerable to disruptions from natural disasters and regional conflicts. Furthermore, the widening global wealth gap has contributed to growing dissatisfaction within nations over this narrow form of globalization. As a result, regionalization is likely to become a lasting trend, with the U.S. increasingly turning its attention and resources toward the Americas, its geographically closer neighbors.

For the Americas as a whole, the U.S.’ primary objective will be to effectively manage and integrate the entire continent both ideologically and economically. The economic strength of North America, particularly that of the U.S. and Canada, is indisputable. While Canada has developed some opposition to the U.S. on specific issues, such as trade disputes, there is comparatively little ideological divide between the two nations. Economically, Canada remains heavily dependent on the U.S., and its eventual full integration into the U.S.’s regional strategy appears inevitable. Consequently, the most crucial task for the U.S. is the integration of the Latin American region.

In terms of economic development and strategic integration, the Latin American region holds significant importance for the U.S.

To cite some examples of crucial resources, the Latin American region holds at least 65% of the world’s lithium reserves. It also holds 49% of the silver reserves and 44% of copper. In addition, the Latin American region is also rich in oil and gas resources. Effectively managing and developing these resources is of great strategic importance to the U.S., as it plays a crucial role in ensuring resource independence and reducing reliance on China. Moreover, the region plus the Caribbean represents a vast consumer market, accounting for 8.3% of the global population.

Latin America’s economic growth potential is particularly promising in countries like Brazil and Mexico, which are seen as markets with significant growth prospects. All these factors contribute to the U.S.’s strong interest in the region, offering attractive returns on potential capital investments.

Although some Latin American countries face internal political instability, the overall situation in the region remains favorable compared to other regions. Unlike some Southeast Asian nations, Latin America does not suffer from extreme internal military fragmentation or warlordism. While criminal groups pose concerns, their influence is not as destructive as extremist forces in regions such as Central Asia or the Middle East. The internal challenges in Latin American countries, mostly related to governance issues, are more remediable than those faced by some of the larger countries in other regions.

In terms of U.S. integration of the region, the key players will be Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. The success or failure of U.S. efforts to integrate the region will largely depend on the attitudes of these three nations. Mexico, while occasionally confrontational on issues like tariffs, has no significant ideological opposition to the U.S. Furthermore, Mexico’s economic dependence on the U.S. makes full integration into U.S. regional strategy highly likely. The country’s economic potential, especially its growing manufacturing sector, makes it an important partner for the U.S.

In Argentina, President Javier Milei’s recent radical reforms have already had a notable impact, further aligning the country with the U.S.’s regional strategy. His economic reforms, particularly in the monetary and financial sectors, have deepened Argentina’s integration into the broader American economic framework.

Brazil, on the other hand, is currently governed by left-wing forces, which create some ideological distance from the U.S. Despite economic challenges, such as low investment efficiency and heavy reliance on primary product exports, Brazil’s overall economic performance remains stable. While left-wing influence in Brazil is strong, right-wing factions still exert significant control at local and central levels. This suggests that Brazil could eventually pursue economic reforms that align more closely with U.S. interests, potentially integrating more fully into the U.S. regional strategy.

Other Latin American countries, with smaller populations and economies, will likely face less resistance to U.S. influence, making their full integration into U.S. strategy highly probable. Cuba, long isolated and suffering from internal economic struggles, has little capacity to obstruct U.S. plans for the region. Similarly, while Venezuela’s current political stability under Nicolás Maduro persists, the country’s relatively small size and limited resources prevent it from significantly impeding U.S. integration efforts.

Although Latin America faces numerous challenges, the U.S. is in a strong position to integrate the region, meeting its developmental needs through emerging economies within the Americas. For this vision to be realized, Latin American countries like Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil must have large, youthful populations, thriving manufacturing sectors, and stable social environments. These countries will need to effectively absorb U.S. capital, providing the foundation for sustained economic growth and prosperity.

Once U.S. capital, technology, and ideas reshape key countries within the region, Latin America’s economic and social development could experience significant leaps forward. This would not only strengthen the region’s international status and influence but also solidify its role as a central pillar in a resurgent global economy.