Investment in artificial intelligence
The global landscape of international production is undergoing a major restructuring, driven by geopolitical tensions, strategic competition among major powers and a rapid increase in artificial intelligence related investment.
Firms now face a more fragmented and politically influenced operating environment, in which cross‑border investment decisions are shaped not only by efficiency and market access but, increasingly, by risk-management considerations related to, for example, supply‑chain resilience, technological security, and exposure to shifting trade barriers.
At the same time, fast‑growing investment in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure is intertwined with industrial policy priorities and national security concerns, reinforcing broader shifts in policy orientation and corporate behaviour.
These dynamics are reflected in emerging trends in global foreign direct investment, including a move towards investment in geopolitically aligned and intraregional markets, intensifying competition in strategically important industries and accelerated supply‑chain restructuring.
Together, the developments point to a more contested and fragmented global investment landscape, in which Governments rely more heavily on industrial policies, screening mechanisms and security‑related measures and in which the balance between efficiency, resilience and national security is being recalibrated.
Against this backdrop, UNCTAD seeks to clarify the scale and nature of the shifts, assess their implications for developing economies and propose policy considerations to guide international dialogue.
Inputs from experts
Experts nominated by member States are encouraged to submit brief papers (approximately 5–12 pages) as contributions to the work of the meeting. The papers will be made available at the session in the form and language in which they are received.
Papers should be submitted to the UNCTAD secretariat in advance of the meeting, addressed to diaeinfo@unctad.org
Participation
This meeting is open to all member States of UNCTAD. Other organizations, including specialized agencies, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations in the general and special categories, as well as academia, research institutions and the private sector, may participate as observers.
Registration
Online registration is mandatory for all those wishing to attend the meeting and is required for inclusion in the list of participants.
Logistics
The session will be held with in-person participation in room XII. Those who cannot attend the meeting in person will be able to listen to the live audio stream. The link to listen live will be sent to registered participants, at the email address used for registration, one hour before the start of the session
