As AI adoption accelerates globally, questions of equity and access are coming to the forefront.

Speaking with GZERO’s Tony Maciulis on the sidelines of the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, Chris Sharrock, Vice President of UN Affairs and International Organizations at Microsoft, discusses the role of technology in addressing global challenges.

“Not every country is starting from the same point,” Sharrock says, highlighting the risks of an “exponential divergence” between advanced economies and the Global South. Drawing on his experience in both government and the private sector, he emphasizes the importance of dialogue across public, private, and nonprofit sectors to shape effective policy.

Sharrock also reflects on AI in education, urging careful integration of AI tools alongside human learning.

This conversation is part of GZERO Media’s Global Stage series, presented in partnership with Microsoft.

More For You

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung leaves after giving a speech on the Government's first supplemetary budget bill of 2026 at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, 02 April 2026.
JEON HEON-KYUN/Pool via REUTERS

South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party is poised to win 11 of 16 municipal races, a reversal from four years ago when the now-disgraced PPP dominated. But Lee’s surging popularity has foreign policy ramifications.

Chris, an Army veteran, started his Walmart journey over 25 years ago as an hourly associate. Today, he manages a Distribution Center and serves as a mentor, helping others navigate their own paths to success. At Walmart, associates have the opportunity to take advantage of the pathways, perks, and pay that come with the job — with or without a college degree. In fact, more than 75% of Walmart management started as hourly associates. Learn more about how over 130,000 associates were promoted into roles of greater responsibility and higher pay in FY25.