Exiger and Axios to Host Landmark Event on AI, Trade, and the New Rules of Power

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and shifting geopolitical dynamics, understanding the complex interplay between artificial intelligence, global trade, and power structures has become essential for business leaders and policymakers alike. Recognizing this critical need, Exiger, a global leader in AI-powered supply chain and third-party risk management solutions, has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Axios, the renowned digital media company, to host what promises to be one of the most significant gatherings of minds in this space.

The upcoming high-level event, titled “AI, Trade, and the New Rules of Power,” aims to bring together thought leaders, industry executives, government officials, and technology experts to explore how artificial intelligence is fundamentally altering the landscape of international commerce and reshaping traditional power dynamics on the global stage.

The Convergence of Technology and Global Affairs

This strategic partnership between Exiger and Axios represents a timely response to the unprecedented challenges and opportunities emerging at the intersection of technology and international relations. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at a breathtaking pace, its implications for global trade, national security, and economic competitiveness have become increasingly pronounced.

“We’re at a pivotal moment in history where the rules governing global power are being rewritten by technological innovation,” said Brandon Daniels, CEO of Exiger. “This event will provide a forum for meaningful dialogue about how AI is reshaping supply chains, trade relationships, and ultimately, the balance of power between nations and corporations.”

The collaboration leverages Exiger’s deep expertise in AI-driven risk management and Axios’s reputation for delivering smart, efficient news and analysis on the topics shaping our world. Together, they aim to create a platform for nuanced discussions that go beyond surface-level analyses to explore the profound implications of these technological shifts.

A Comprehensive Exploration of Critical Themes

The event will address several interconnected themes that are central to understanding the evolving global landscape:

AI as a Geopolitical Force

Artificial intelligence has emerged as more than just a technological innovation—it has become a geopolitical force multiplier with the potential to reshape international relations. Nations with advanced AI capabilities are gaining significant advantages in areas ranging from economic productivity to military readiness.

The summit will explore how countries are positioning themselves in the global AI race and the implications of this competition for international cooperation and conflict. Particular attention will be paid to how AI development is influencing strategic relationships between major powers like the United States, China, and the European Union.

Supply Chain Resilience in the Age of AI

Recent global disruptions have highlighted the vulnerability of international supply chains, prompting businesses and governments to reevaluate their approaches to supply chain management. Artificial intelligence offers powerful tools for enhancing visibility, predicting disruptions, and optimizing logistics networks.

Experts from Exiger will share insights on how AI-powered solutions are enabling organizations to build more resilient and transparent supply chains. Discussions will cover practical applications of machine learning for supply chain risk management, including the identification of hidden risks and opportunities in complex global networks.

Trade Policy and Regulatory Frameworks

As AI transforms industries and markets, policymakers are grappling with the challenge of developing appropriate regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with security concerns. The event will feature discussions on emerging approaches to AI governance and their implications for international trade.

Key topics will include export controls on AI technologies, data localization requirements, intellectual property protections, and the development of international standards for responsible AI deployment. Participants will explore how these regulatory developments are shaping competitive dynamics and market access in the global economy.

Economic Security and National Competitiveness

The intersection of AI, trade, and national security has given rise to new conceptions of economic security. Nations increasingly view technological leadership as essential to maintaining their competitive position and protecting critical infrastructure.

The summit will examine how governments are incorporating AI into their economic security strategies and the implications for businesses operating in this evolving landscape. Discussions will address issues such as foreign investment screening, technology transfer restrictions, and the protection of critical supply chains.

Distinguished Speakers and Participants

The event will feature an impressive lineup of speakers representing diverse perspectives from government, industry, academia, and civil society. While the full roster has yet to be announced, participants can expect to hear from senior officials involved in trade policy and technology governance, executives from companies at the forefront of AI innovation, and leading scholars studying the geopolitical implications of technological change.

The organizers have emphasized their commitment to ensuring a truly global conversation, with representation from both established and emerging economies. This diversity of viewpoints will enrich the discussions and provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how AI and trade issues are perceived across different regions and contexts.

Interactive Format Designed for Meaningful Exchange

Moving beyond the limitations of traditional conference formats, the Exiger-Axios event will employ an innovative structure designed to facilitate substantive dialogue and practical insights. The program will include:

• Executive Briefings: Concise presentations providing data-driven analyses of key trends at the intersection of AI, trade, and geopolitics.
• Moderated Discussions: In-depth conversations among experts exploring the nuances of specific issues and potential approaches to addressing emerging challenges.
• Interactive Workshops: Hands-on sessions allowing participants to engage with AI tools and frameworks for analyzing supply chain risks and trade patterns.
• Networking Opportunities: Structured and unstructured time for attendees to connect with peers and build relationships that extend beyond the event itself.

This thoughtfully designed format reflects the organizers’ understanding that complex issues require multifaceted approaches to discussion and analysis. By creating spaces for both formal presentation and informal exchange, they aim to catalyze insights that might not emerge in more conventional settings.

The Strategic Vision Behind the Partnership

Exiger: Pioneering AI for Risk Management

For Exiger, this event represents a natural extension of its mission to transform how organizations navigate complex risk environments. As a company that has pioneered the application of artificial intelligence to supply chain and third-party risk management, Exiger brings valuable expertise on how technology can enhance transparency and resilience in global commerce.

“At Exiger, we’ve witnessed firsthand how AI is revolutionizing the way organizations understand and mitigate risks in their global operations,” noted Carrie Wibben, President of Government Solutions at Exiger. “This event provides an opportunity to share these insights while also learning from others who are approaching these challenges from different angles.”

The company’s involvement underscores its commitment to fostering informed dialogue about the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, Exiger aims to contribute to the development of approaches that harness the benefits of AI while managing associated risks.

Axios: Delivering Smart, Efficient Analysis

For Axios, the partnership aligns with its mission to provide audiences with trustworthy information and analysis on topics of consequence. Known for its distinctive approach to delivering news that is both substantive and accessible, Axios brings valuable expertise in translating complex issues into formats that resonate with busy decision-makers.

“The intersection of technology, trade, and geopolitics represents one of the most important and rapidly evolving stories of our time,” said Jim VandeHei, co-founder and CEO of Axios. “Through this collaboration with Exiger, we’re creating a platform for the kind of thoughtful, forward-looking conversations that can help leaders navigate this complex landscape.”

Axios’s involvement ensures that the insights generated during the event will reach a broader audience, extending the impact of the discussions beyond those physically present. The media company’s expertise in digital communication will also enhance the event’s virtual components, making it accessible to participants regardless of location.

The Broader Context: AI’s Transformative Impact on Global Trade

To fully appreciate the significance of this event, it’s important to understand the profound ways in which artificial intelligence is reshaping global trade and economic relationships. Several key developments illustrate the magnitude of this transformation:

Automation and the Future of Work

AI-powered automation is altering comparative advantages in global trade, with implications for employment patterns and economic specialization. Countries with advanced AI capabilities may gain advantages in sectors previously dominated by nations with lower labor costs, potentially disrupting established trade relationships.

The event will explore how these shifts are affecting different regions and industries, with attention to both economic opportunities and distributional challenges. Discussions will address policy approaches for ensuring that the benefits of AI-driven productivity gains are broadly shared.

Data Flows and Digital Trade

As AI systems depend on access to large datasets for training and operation, the governance of cross-border data flows has become increasingly consequential for international trade. Restrictions on data transfers can impede AI development and deployment, creating new forms of trade barriers.

Participants will examine emerging approaches to balancing legitimate concerns about privacy and security with the need for data mobility to support innovation. The implications of divergent regulatory frameworks for global AI development will be a central focus of these discussions.

Strategic Technology Competition

Major powers are increasingly viewing AI leadership as essential to their long-term strategic interests, leading to more assertive policies aimed at developing domestic capabilities and restricting adversaries’ access to critical technologies. This competition has significant implications for global supply chains and technology ecosystems.

The event will provide a forum for analyzing how strategic technology competition is reshaping trade patterns and investment flows. Particular attention will be paid to the challenges facing multinational companies operating in an environment of heightened geopolitical tensions.

Practical Takeaways for Attendees

Beyond facilitating high-level discussions on abstract concepts, the Exiger-Axios event is designed to deliver practical insights that participants can apply in their professional contexts. Attendees can expect to gain:

• Strategic Foresight: Enhanced understanding of how AI and geopolitical developments are likely to shape the business environment in the coming years.
• Risk Management Frameworks: Approaches for identifying and mitigating risks associated with AI deployment and shifting trade patterns.
• Compliance Guidance: Insights on navigating complex and sometimes conflicting regulatory requirements related to technology and international commerce.
• Innovation Opportunities: Perspectives on how organizations can leverage AI to enhance their competitive position in global markets.
• Network Development: Connections with peers and experts facing similar challenges across different sectors and regions.

These practical elements reflect the organizers’ commitment to ensuring that the event delivers tangible value beyond intellectual stimulation. By bridging theory and practice, they aim to equip participants with tools and insights that can inform strategic decision-making in an increasingly complex global landscape.

The Timing: Why This Event Matters Now

The decision to host this event comes at a particularly consequential moment in the evolution of AI technologies and global trade relations. Several factors make this timing especially significant:

Accelerating AI Development

Recent breakthroughs in areas such as large language models, computer vision, and reinforcement learning have dramatically expanded the potential applications of AI across industries. These advances have heightened both excitement about AI’s transformative potential and concerns about its disruptive effects.

As organizations and governments grapple with the implications of these technological developments, there is an urgent need for forums that can facilitate informed dialogue about responsible approaches to AI deployment and governance.

Evolving Trade Tensions

The global trading system is experiencing significant strain, with increased use of tariffs, export controls, and other restrictive measures affecting technology flows. These developments have particular relevance for AI, which depends on global supply chains for hardware components and international collaboration for research advancement.

The event provides a timely opportunity to explore how stakeholders can navigate this challenging environment while preserving the benefits of international cooperation and exchange.

Policy Momentum

Governments around the world are developing and implementing policies aimed at regulating AI and addressing related trade issues. From the European Union’s AI Act to various national AI strategies, these initiatives are creating a complex patchwork of rules with significant implications for global business.

By bringing together experts familiar with these policy developments, the event will help participants understand the evolving regulatory landscape and its potential impact on international operations.

Looking Forward: The Broader Significance

While focused on specific issues at the intersection of AI, trade, and power dynamics, this event also speaks to broader questions about the governance of emerging technologies in an interconnected world. The discussions and insights generated during the gathering may contribute to several important ongoing conversations:

The Future of Multilateralism

As technological competition intensifies, the capacity of multilateral institutions to establish common rules and standards is being tested. The event may offer perspectives on how international cooperation can be preserved and strengthened in an era of strategic rivalry.

Balancing Innovation and Security

Societies continue to grapple with the challenge of promoting technological innovation while managing associated risks. The discussions at this event may yield insights on approaches that can achieve this delicate balance in the context of AI and global trade.

Ethical Dimensions of Technology Policy

Decisions about AI development and deployment raise profound ethical questions about values, rights, and responsibilities. By incorporating diverse perspectives, the event can contribute to a more nuanced understanding of these ethical dimensions and their implications for policy and practice.

Conclusion: A Platform for Navigating Complexity

The upcoming Exiger-Axios event on “AI, Trade, and the New Rules of Power” represents an important contribution to ongoing efforts to understand and navigate the complex interplay of technology, economics, and geopolitics. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and facilitating substantive dialogue, the organizers are creating a platform for the kind of thoughtful exchange that is essential in an era of rapid change and uncertainty.

For business leaders, policymakers, and others concerned with these issues, the event offers a valuable opportunity to gain insights, share perspectives, and build relationships that can inform strategic decision-making. In doing so, it exemplifies the kind of cross-sectoral collaboration that will be increasingly important as we collectively work to harness the benefits of technological advancement while managing associated challenges.

As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries and reshape global relationships, forums like this will play a crucial role in fostering the shared understanding and coordinated approaches needed to ensure that these powerful technologies serve human flourishing and the common good. The partnership between Exiger and Axios represents a promising step in that direction, bringing together complementary expertise to illuminate one of the defining issues of our time.