New global order: AI CEOs as heads of nation-states

[highplainsdem]

Source: Axios

It was a historic, even jarring, scene that captures a once-unimaginable geopolitical ordering. The world's most powerful heads of state gathered in the French Alps this week for the annual G7 summit, with the CEOs of America's dominant AI companies seated and treated like heads of nation-states themselves.

Why it matters: This is the future many leaders and AI CEOs envision — heads of state and the masters of tech in constant discussion, and sometimes conflict, over who controls AI, its rules, and its application to governing and world security.

-snip-

Altman was swarmed on Wednesday as he entered the summit room in Évian-les-Bains for a working lunch with the heads of actual states, with ministers and cabinet members from around the world straining for a look.

-snip-

Amodei, Altman and Meta chief AI officer Alexandr Wang each posed with Macron for bilat photos with the French flag behind them, in the chair typically occupied by a president, prime minister or chancellor.

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Read more: https://www.axios.com/2026/06/20/ai-tech-moguls-g7

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From tech journalist Gil Duran:

They still can’t quite say it, but the establishment press is getting so, so close to grasping the situation.

I think I predicted 2027 as the year when even the New York Times will take this stuff seriously.

I’m an optimist!
www.axios.com/2026/06/20/a...

— Gil Durán (@gilduran.com) 2026-06-20T15:40:57.158Z

[lostnfound]

1. "All three urged Western powers to work together to be sure democracies continue to dominate AI." Hmm. Really?.

“The working lunch was closed to the press. But I've confirmed key remarks by each of the three AI titans. All three urged Western powers to work together to be sure democracies continue to dominate AI.“

Really? Where would find one of those things? “Democracies”? What is this thing you speak of?

‘Closed to the press’ is part of the problem. And amusing, since they more or less own the press already.

[fujiyamasan]

2. It is hilarious

The whole idea of corporate elites hanging out with leaders of nation states in closed doors meetings, talking about ‘democracy’.

[DFW]

3. A friend of mine lives about a 15 minute drive from the airport they all used to arrive and depart from.

They all went by helicopter or other local means to get over the border to France, but on his side of the border, everybody couldn't wait for all of them to just get lost.