Closing and end of conference

Event report

[Read more session reports and live updates from the OECD Going Digital Summit]

Mr Andrew Wyckoff (Director for Science, Technology and Innovation, OECD) wrapped up the conference. Wyckoff began by quoting Alan Turing, who is considered by many to be the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence (AI): ‘We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty that needs to be done.’ It is clear that we need to keep analysing, discussing, and preparing for a tomorrow which will be very different from today. There is an urgency to take action to ensure that the transformation is shaped for the good of humanity at large, and not just the select few. Wyckoff expressed his optimistic belief that this will happen not only because of the engagement of participants during the Digital Summit itself, but also because of the engagement the project has seen over the last two years.

Digital issues are high on the agenda across the globe, at the UN, G20, G7, EU, APEC, and the OECD. The OECD stands ready to assist governments, businesses, and individuals, as well as work with other international organisations to prepare for the new digital economy and society.

Wyckoff thanked the participants and speakers that attended the summit; the expert advisory group; the steering group; stakeholders; Ambassador Sharrok (Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the OECD); OECD directors and team; the Going Digital co-leader, the science, technology, and industry (STI) core team; the measuring transformation team; and others.

By Andrijana Gavrilović