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Global Stage virtual events return this fall

We're back!

On Wednesday, September 15th, Global Stage returns to the UN General Assembly for a series of critical discussions facing governments, societies and economies.


GZERO Media and Microsoft launched the virtual series in 2020, during the peak of the pandemic, to ask tough questions and determine how united countries were in the fight against COVID-19.

12 months on, progress has been fitful. The delta variant has forced many countries back into lockdown; the virus has taken an extreme toll on fragile communities and developing nations; the disparity in access to vaccines between rich and poor countries is extreme; and the IPCC claims that climate catastrophe is on track. The pandemic has exacerbated racial, gender, and socioeconomic inequality and pushed many into unemployment and poverty.

Join us for live virtual events together with world leaders in politics, business, science and technology to debate how to achieve digital equity, whether inclusive recovery is a realistic goal, the growing threat of disinformation, and priorities for COP26.

Stay informed about further Global Stage discussions: sign up for updates and reminders about GZERO Media's events.


Digital Equity: Should Internet Access Be Free for Everyone?
Wednesday, September 15, 11am ET

  • Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary General (moderator)
  • Amaka Anku, Practice Head, Africa, Eurasia Group
  • Jessica Rosenworcel, Acting Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission
  • Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director, ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau
  • Vickie Robinson, General Manager, Microsoft Airband Initiative
  • Vuyani Jarana, Chairman, Mobax Group


Unfinished Business: Is the World Really Building Back Better?
Wednesday, September 22, 11am ET

  • Susan Glasser, staff writer and Washington columnist, The New Yorker (moderator)
  • Ian Bremmer, President and Founder, Eurasia Group & GZERO Media
  • Brad Smith, President and Vice Chair, Microsoft
  • Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Dr. Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
  • David Malpass, President, World Bank Group

Infodemic: Defending Democracy Against Disinformation
Wednesday, October 13, 11am ET

  • Yasmin Green, Director, R&D, Jigsaw
  • Ginny Badanes, Director of Strategic Projects, Cybersecurity & Democracy, Microsoft
  • Matt Masterson, Non-Resident Policy Fellow, Stanford Internet Observatory
  • Nina Jankowicz, Director of External Engagement, Alethea Group & Global Fellow, Wilson Center
  • Kevin Allison, Director, Geo-technology, Eurasia Group
  • Richard Stengel, former Under-Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Obama Administration

Climate Crisis: is net zero really possible?
Tuesday, November 2, 11am ET

  • Gerald Butts, Vice Chairman, Eurasia Group
  • Katharine Hayhoe, Director, Climate Science Center
  • Naoko Ishii, Director, Center for Global Commons
  • Lucas Joppa, Chief Environmental Officer, Microsoft
  • Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Government of Canada

Click below to add all GZERO Media events to your calendar:

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As AI begins to understand us better than we understand ourselves, who will decide how it shapes our world? Ian Bremmer cautions, "The winner or the winners are going to determine in large part what society looks like, what the motivating ideologies are."

How society plays an active role in shaping the future with AI

Who really shapes and influences the development of AI? The creators or the users? Peng Xiao, Group CEO, G42 argues it’s both. “I actually do not subscribe that the creators have so much control they can program every intent into this technology so users can only just respond and be part of that design,” he explains at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Global AI Summit.