Carney Says 'Strands' of a New World Order Could Be Woven at G7 Summit

Prime Minister Mark Carney believes the upcoming G7 summit presents an opportunity to begin weaving the "strands" of a new world order.

Carney articulated these thoughts during a discussion at Trinity College Dublin as part of a six-day European tour. His remarks follow a January speech in Davos, where he urged middle powers to unite against major global powers, a call that resonated internationally. This year's G7 meeting in Évian-les-Bains, France, will notably feature broader participation, including representatives from Gulf states, Kenya, Brazil, Egypt, and India. Carney stated that these additional partners will contribute a "broader perspective and a broader element of the solution," acknowledging that the G7 no longer holds the sole global influence it once might have.

Several critical issues are advancing rapidly, Carney noted, with artificial intelligence being a primary concern. He highlighted the lack of regulation surrounding AI, which poses risks related to child safety and systemic threats from cyber attacks. "The importance of sharing the defenses, having common standards, not releasing models that have that power before others are ready, that is an imperative. That is something I’m certain we will be discussing at the G7," he said.

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It’s a recognition that the G7, if it ever did run the world, no longer runs the world or pretends to.

The French government, leading the summit, has outlined its priorities, which include addressing major geopolitical crises, such as supporting Ukraine, and enhancing online protection for children. This aligns with recent legislative efforts in Europe and Canada concerning social media use by minors and the regulation of AI chatbots. Canada's proposed Bill C-34 aims to impose a duty of responsibility on AI companies, mandating measures to reduce harmful content and establish crisis intervention protocols.

While a comprehensive final communiqué is not expected, leaders are anticipated to issue issue-specific statements. Discussions are also slated to cover global macroeconomic imbalances, which the International Monetary Fund and France's G7 presidency identify as worsening and requiring China's involvement for resolution. China's industrial overcapacity is also expected to be a topic of conversation.

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The importance of sharing the defenses, having common standards, not releasing models that have that power before others are ready, that is an imperative. That is something I’m certain we will be discussing at the G7.