Sound More Interesting at Cocktails Memo | January 31

Here are 25 talking points for better conversation at cocktails from news of the past week.

1. King Charles became the first British head of state to visit Auschwitz, to mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation.

2. China is set for a great reshuffling of local government ranks this year; roughly one-fifth of China’s local leaders are due to retire in 2025.

3. Brexit: A YouGov survey found just 3 in 10 Brits still think it was right to leave the EU.

4. Prostate cancer is now the most common form of cancer in England, according to NHS data. There were 55,000 cases in 2023, up 25% on five years before.

5. France reclaimed the Bocuse d’Or, a fine-dining competition.

6. 11 Baltic cables have been damaged in 15 months.

7. Denmark announces $2 billion Arctic security plan.

8. 92: The number of vessels that navigated Russia’s Northern Sea Route last year, up from 19 in 2016.

9. The EU AI Act’s first provisions take effect February 2.

10. Gen AI use: A recent Google-Ipsos survey across 21 countries found that 80 per cent of Gen AI users use it for communications and writing.

11. Vatican warns of AI evils, from deepfakes to ‘enslavement’: The church has issued a 13,000-word document warning governments about the potential consequences of emerging technology.

12. US Copyright Office declared Wednesday that the use of artificial intelligence tools to assist in the creative process does not undermine the copyright of a work.

13. Meta plans to invest as much as $65 billion on projects related to artificial intelligence in 2025.

14. Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly hunting for a home in Washington, DC.

15. WP: The 5 Democrats who make the most sense for 2028

5. John Fetterman

4. Kamala Harris

3. Pete Buttigieg

2. Gretchen Whitmer

1. Josh Shapiro

16. Union membership fell in 2024, hitting new low: Tthe share of American workers in unions dropped to 9.9 percent last year.

17. Project 2025: More than 30 out of Trump’s 47 initial executive actions as of Thursday afternoon match or partially align with ideas promoted in Project 2025.

18. Trump to address Congress on March 4: House Speaker Mike Johnson invited President Donald Trump to address a joint session of Congress on March 4.

19. Google says it will change Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’ in Maps app after government updates.

20. Spotify says it paid out $10 billion to the music industry in 2024 alone.

21. Super Bowl ads hit an eye-watering $8 million for 30-seconds.

22. Parlay bets delivered about 56% of sports-betting revenue after payouts for companies in the three states during that period, up from 50% in the same stretch of 2021.

23. Total online gambling revenues in the US is expected to reach $63 billion by 2030.

24. The NWSL has officially announced Denver as its 16th franchise.

25. At least five skiers have been killed in two avalanches in the French alps.

Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc

The AI governance gap: It is time for balanced oversight

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) demands our immediate attention as business leaders. Recent findings from Corporate Europe Observatory reveal a concerning imbalance in AI governance that should give us pause: over 55% of Europe's AI standards committee members represent corporate or consulting interests, mirroring similar patterns in the US.

As a global business navigating the AI revolution, you can see the tremendous opportunities and responsibilities ahead of you. The statistics are clear: According to recent polling, 79% of Americans support strict AI regulation. Regulation isn't just about compliance; it's about sustainable business leadership in an era where technology increasingly shapes society.

The current landscape presents a paradox: while tech giants lead crucial innovations in AI, their dominance in setting standards raises legitimate concerns about oversight. Major tech corporations have faced significant challenges with data privacy and information integrity despite their innovation capabilities. This track record underscores why diverse perspectives in AI governance are beneficial and essential.

What's at stake isn't merely regulatory compliance but the future of AI integration in global business. As leaders of multinational organizations, you must ask: Are we comfortable with a framework where industry giants effectively write their own rules? How can we ensure our AI adoption strategies balance innovation with responsible governance?

The solution lies in embracing a more inclusive approach to AI governance.

Global business leaders can create more robust and sustainable AI standards by supporting the integration of academic expertise, civil society insights, and public interest perspectives alongside industry knowledge. This isn't about impeding progress but ensuring that AI technological advancement aligns with societal values and long-term business sustainability.

Companies that champion responsible AI development will increasingly have a competitive advantage. As global business leaders, you can uniquely shape this trajectory. By advocating for balanced oversight now, you can help create a global AI ecosystem that serves both business interests and the broader public good.

The path forward requires proactive leadership from the global business community. Let's move beyond the false choice between innovation and oversight and advance an AI framework where both can thrive.

-Marc

The rise of Arctic competition: Why business leaders should pay attention

The Danish government's recent $2 billion Arctic security investment marks a pivotal moment in global strategic positioning that every multinational CEO should be monitoring.

This investment isn't just about military modernization - it's a signal of fundamental shifts in global trade routes, resource access, and international relations that will impact business operations for decades.

Why does this matter to business leaders?

The Arctic represents the intersection of several critical business factors: new shipping routes, untapped natural resources, and emerging geopolitical tensions. Denmark's move from using sled dog patrols to investing in advanced ships, drones, and satellites reflects this region's rapidly evolving strategic importance.

Three key implications for global business:

First, shipping and logistics leaders need to closely monitor the development of Arctic routes. As the ice melts and new pathways open, companies could save significant time and cost on Asia-Europe shipping. However, the militarization of the region could complicate access and increase operational risks.

Second, the intensifying competition between great powers in the Arctic will affect resource extraction and development rights. The region holds an estimated 30% of the world's undiscovered natural gas and 13% of undiscovered oil. Companies in energy, mining, and related industries must factor this new security environment into their long-term strategic planning.

Third, this military buildup signals potential regulatory and compliance challenges. As Arctic nations enhance their presence and oversight capabilities, companies operating in or through the region will likely face increased scrutiny and new regulatory frameworks.

Denmark's investment isn't happening in isolation. It comes amid renewed US strategic interest in Greenland and a broader NATO focus on Arctic security.

For business leaders, the Arctic is transitioning from a peripheral concern to a central theater of global competition.

The global business takeaway: We're entering an era where Arctic strategy needs to be part of every multinational's risk assessment and opportunity analysis.

It's becoming clear that the Arctic is no longer just a remote frontier—it's emerging as a critical nexus of global trade, resource competition, and strategic positioning. As business leaders, you must consider how these developments will affect our operations, supply chains, and market access in the coming years.

Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.

-Marc