Policymakers, tech leaders discuss AI growth, workforce needs at G20 event in Chapel Hill
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- Global policymakers, technology executives and business leaders gathered in Chapel Hill on Wednesday for the second day of the G20 Innovation Ministerial, where discussions focused on artificial intelligence, economic growth and the challenges of supporting the technology's rapid expansion.
The conference at the Carolina Inn brought together commerce officials from around the world to explore ways emerging technologies can strengthen national economies and improve competitiveness.
"For this Innovation Ministerial, Chapel Hill is interesting because it's a critical corner of what we call here the Research Triangle. It's built on one of the great innovation economies in America because it couples world-class universities, advanced manufacturing with technology, skilled workers, and together with public and private investment," said US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Artificial intelligence remained at the center of the discussions, with leaders examining how governments and businesses can address issues ranging from regulation and cybersecurity to labor shortages and rising energy demands.
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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said countries may pursue different approaches to regulating and adopting artificial intelligence but argued the technology's economic potential makes participation essential.
"Many of you are going to take many different approaches of how you regulate AI, how you welcome it into your country, how you use it, but for sure I think it is non-negotiable that you have to use it," Altman said. "The economic growth and benefit to people that can come from this, the value to a country is too high to ignore."
The event also featured discussions on the infrastructure required to support AI development.
"We have this incredible industrial build-out of the likes of which we've never seen in the history of humanity, even more than the railroads of the 1800s," said Anthropic co-founder Tom Brown.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang echoed calls for countries to invest in AI infrastructure.
"In the end, what every single country will have to do is you need to recognize this is infrastructure," Huang said. "Just as with water, roads, electricity, the internet, every single country needs to build infrastructure, so that you can support your own local economy."
The conversation comes as data center proposals continue to generate debate in communities across North Carolina, including in the Triangle. Supporters argue the facilities are critical to AI development and economic growth, while opponents have raised concerns about environmental impacts and energy use.
"The Ratepayer (Protection) Pledge is something we signed up to, as have the other major labs," Brown said. "And that makes it that we bring on power behind the grid, behind the meter, and we can give it back to the grid as well."
Job impacts also remained a major topic.
A May survey from Bentley University and Gallup found that 79% of Americans said they believe artificial intelligence will reduce the number of jobs over the next decade, while 6% said they believe it will increase employment opportunities.
Technology leaders at the conference argued that AI is already driving hiring in several industries, particularly those tied to infrastructure development.
During a discussion with Lutnick, Huang said AI investment is creating employment opportunities across multiple sectors.
"AI is now generating jobs across every single sector, from chip fabs to computer plants to AI factories," Huang said. "Just the number of jobs that we're creating is just hundreds of thousands. And as you know, this year alone, we're going to invest close to $1 trillion into the world's, into the United States infrastructure. And that's generating enormous economic growth and, of course, a lot of jobs."
"I think this will be the greatest boom in entrepreneurship, and the creation of small businesses the world has ever seen," Altman added.
Outside the private sector, artificial intelligence is also being embraced by government agencies. OpenAI has launched a pilot program with the North Carolina Department of Commerce focused on redevelopment and economic recovery in communities affected by Hurricane Helene. The company is also working with the State Treasurer's Office on issues involving unclaimed property.
