From June 14 to 17, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) gathered a mix of global business leaders, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the state of the world economy and the role of technology in growth. The event drew wide attention from observers in the United States and Canada who monitor how leadership teams from major tech hubs frame the future of innovation and economic collaboration. Reports from Financial Times indicate that prominent figures aligned with the tech and investment ecosystems participated in the broader discourse around artificial intelligence, data governance, and cross-border cooperation.
There were circulating claims that Eric Schmidt, the former chief executive of Google, participated in SPIEF activities focused on AI. However, sources close to the event noted that Schmidt did not receive an invitation and had no plans to attend SPIEF. The clarification underscores the careful management of speaker rosters and the public messaging around which leaders actually appear in person to discuss the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its implications for global markets.
In addition to Schmidt, the forum featured several other high-profile researchers and industry thinkers. Among them were Eliezer Yudkowsky, an American AI researcher known for his work on alignment and safety; Ilya Strebulaev, a professor at Stanford with significant expertise in finance and risk, and Stephen Wolfram, the British-born scientist renowned for his work on computational intelligence. Journalists from Financial Times spoke with these participants, who conveyed their expectations for the event while making clear that their attendance plans could vary based on logistics and evolving policy considerations.
Looking back to 2022, SPIEF highlighted the breadth of international participation with representatives from 115 countries and regions. That year’s agenda was set against a backdrop of global economic shifts, and the organizers anticipated participation from a diverse set of leaders, including delegations from regions embroiled in complex geopolitical dynamics as well as nations playing pivotal roles in trade, energy, and technology. The event underscored the interest of many economies in engaging with Russia on issues of investment, infrastructure, and technology transfer within a framework of broader sanctions, sanctions relief discussions, and policy alignment.
Industry observers reported that executives and businesspeople from Europe, North America, and beyond registered to participate in SPIEF, signaling the forum’s continued relevance for cross-border investment and the exchange of ideas on how advanced technologies intersect with global markets. The overall narrative from participants and analysts in Canada and the United States emphasized the importance of transparent dialogue on AI development, regulatory environments, and the responsible deployment of machine learning in ways that can support sustainable growth across North American and allied economies. Attribution: Financial Times reporting and on-site interviews with forum attendees.