Giorgia Meloni’s three-day trip to New York for the 79th general assembly of the United Nations was filled with various meetings and events. She met with CEOs of Google, Motorola, and Open AI to discuss the risks and potential of artificial intelligence as well as their companies’ investment plans in Italy. While no concrete agreements were made, there is a shared intention to invest in Italy to develop artificial intelligence, including in data centers, Italian startups, collaborations with university excellence, and providing expertise on AI to Italian businesses.
There are also potential investments from Elon Musk, not only in AI but also in space, with Starlink being one of the possibilities. Despite internal discontent within the Atlantic Council over Musk being a divisive figure, he will be presenting Meloni with the Global Citizen Award, as the choice was made several months ago due to a personal relationship and mutual respect between the two. Meloni’s focus at the event included AI, Africa, the Mattei plan, and reforming the UN Security Council to support a transparent, inclusive, and democratic approach.
Meloni will also participate in the global coalition summit against the threat of synthetic drugs, as well as address the general assembly with a focus on multilateralism, Africa, international crises (reiterating Italy’s stance on Gaza and Lebanon, supporting American mediation efforts), UN Security Council reform, AI, food security, and Italy’s presidency of the G7. Additionally, she will likely participate in a virtual event supporting Ukraine to reaffirm international support against the Russian invasion. Sources suggest that Rome does not expect any changes regarding the use of Italian weapons in Russia, with allies reportedly having no objections.
Meloni’s mission in New York began with meetings with Big Tech representatives and continued with various engagements at the UN general assembly. Her interactions focused on the potential for technology investment in Italy and discussions about artificial intelligence. While concrete agreements are still pending, there is a shared interest in advancing AI development in Italy through collaborations with universities, startups, and businesses. Possible investments from Elon Musk in the space sector, notably with Starlink, are also on the horizon.
In summary, Giorgia Meloni’s visit to New York for the UN general assembly involved meetings with technology company leaders, discussions about AI and investment opportunities in Italy, as well as participation in various events and speaking engagements. The visit highlighted the growing interest in technological advancements and potential collaborations with international partners, emphasizing the importance of leveraging AI for economic and social development. Meloni’s engagements at the UN assembly showcased Italy’s stance on global issues, including support for Ukraine against Russian aggression and efforts to reform the UN Security Council for a more inclusive and transparent approach to international affairs.
