Professor Tony Chan - Former President of King Abdullah University

Professor Tony Chan discusses the evolving role of the FII Institute amidst global geopolitical and geoeconomic changes, highlighting its emergence as a leading forum. He reflects on the global landscape of innovation, noting the US's historical leadership in innovation, China's growing capabilities, and Europe's regulatory role. He emphasizes the importance of funding and talent attraction in the US, while acknowledging China's increasing innovation, exemplified by developments like DeepSeek. Professor Chan also discusses the potential of AI, cautioning against over-reliance on current approaches and advocating for diverse technological advancements. He highlights the ambitions of Saudi Arabia and the UAE in developing their own technological ecosystems, stressing the need for internal development alongside foreign investment. The discussion concludes with a call for the Middle East to develop its own technological capabilities, such as creating its own Nvidia chips or Google.