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How AI is transforming cybersecurity
She notes that half of cyber incidents now involve ransomware or extortion and warns that attacks once considered business risks have become “a societal challenge,” targeting hospitals and critical systems with life-or-death consequences.
Monaco calls on governments, the private sector, and civil society to “pool our resources, pool our expertise” to build collective resilience against these growing threats.
She spoke with GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis at the 2025 Paris Peace Forum panel, “Collective Resilience in the Age of AI,” part of GZERO Media’s Global Stage series with Microsoft.
Jacinda Ardern on AI's role in countering extremism online
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says AI can be both a force for good and a tool for harm.
“AI has either the possibility of…providing interventions and disruption, or it has the ability to also further harms, increase radicalization, and exacerbate issues of terrorism and extremism online.”
Ardern highlights the Christchurch Call initiative, which brings together over 130 organizations to address emerging technology risks. “We need smaller operators to have access to these tools,” she said, noting the creation of open-source initiatives like Elevate and algorithmic research projects aimed at understanding and disrupting pathways to radicalization. She also points to Catalyst, a project tackling the intersection of gender-based violence and online extremism.
She spoke with GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis at the 2025 Paris Peace Forum panel, “Collective Resilience in the Age of AI,” part of GZERO Media’s Global Stage series with Microsoft.
Preventing conflicts before they start, with María Fernanda Espinosa
“It means building peace, having a very strong and well-equipped intellectually oversight machinery, to have a scenario-building machinery, to have early warning systems in place,” she tells GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum. Espinosa calls for a “refocus, not austerity,” to strengthen the UN’s early warning systems and invest in prevention. “One dollar in prevention saves a thousand in response,” she notes.
Turning to climate, she urges faster action ahead of COP30 in Brazil, warning that progress “is not matching the science.” Latin America, she says, must lead with resilience and unity despite political divides.
This conversation is part of GZERO Media’s Global Stage series, presented in partnership with Microsoft.
Jacinda Ardern and Lisa Monaco on cybersecurity, AI, and protecting democracy
In an era characterized by rapid technological advancement, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence present both challenges and opportunities.
At the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, GZERO’s Tony Maciulis engages in an insightful conversation with Dame Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Lisa Monaco, President of Global Affairs at Microsoft, discussing strategies for a secure digital future.
Ardern reflects on the Christchurch terrorist attacks and the subsequent global initiative she led, known as "The Christchurch Call," aimed at eliminating terrorist and violent extremist content online. She asserts, "We can't let crisis be the catalyst for future cooperation," highlighting the need for cross-sector collaboration to counter online extremism.
Monaco examines the shifting cyber landscape, observing, "AI is both a tool and a weapon," and emphasizes the importance of a coordinated international response.
The panel discussion sheds light on proactive measures and partnerships necessary for safeguarding digital spaces and ensuring democratic integrity.
This conversation is part of GZERO Media’s Global Stage series, presented in partnership with Microsoft.
AI access, policy, and education
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.
Why the UN needs women in leadership
Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet says global leadership needs a different kind of leader.
“Sometimes when I see wars, I feel there’s too much testosterone over there,” she said. “Leaders put in front issues that are not the most important thing… it’s more about who wins.”
Bachelet called for “empathetic leadership,” which she described as the ability to put yourself in the shoes of the other to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation.
When asked if she would consider leading the UN herself, she confirmed: “I will run for Secretary-General.”
Bachelet spoke with GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis at the 2025 Paris Peace Forum panel "Updating the UN at 80: From Mandates to Impact," part of GZERO Media’s Global Stage series with Microsoft.
Updating the UN at 80: A panel conversation from the 2025 Paris Peace Forum
As the UN reaches its 80th anniversary, pivotal questions arise: How can it evolve to address contemporary global challenges? What reforms are essential for maintaining its relevance?
At the 2025 Paris Peace Forum, GZERO Media's Tony Maciulis led a lively panel discussion on the urgent need for organizational reform. The conversation featured top UN officials and global partners reflecting on both the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasizes the need for efficiency and transparency to rebuild trust in the UN, stating, "UN needs to be relevant so people can trust them."
Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Executive Director of GWL Voices and former UN General Assembly President, calls for action on a "new financial compact," urging collaboration between public, private, and civil sectors to govern global commons effectively.
Marjeta Jager from the European Commission called for bold reforms: "We need to merge, sometimes cut, we need to do the system consolidation."
Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang, Founder and President of the Center for China and Globalization, highlights China’s commitment to supporting multilateralism and stressed the role of peacekeeping.
With discussions of reform, the panel echoes the need for collective action to address global complexities, envisioning a future with a possible female Secretary-General for effective empathetic leadership.
Putting "power back into people" with AI
Her foundation aims to help nations in the Global South build sovereign AI systems to bridge the gap in AI advancements and promote equitable access to cutting-edge technology.
Shields also warns of AI’s darker side, noting its role in amplifying online harms for children and calling for a universal “age signal” to make digital spaces safer. Still, she remains optimistic: “We can do things so much more efficiently, so much more humanely, and in ways that put power back into people.”
This conversation is presented by GZERO in partnership with Microsoft.