Key Insight

Throughout history, multilateral efforts have resulted in nations working together toward a shared purpose.

Why It Matters

With debates about the future of CRISPR, ocean plastics, climate, autonomous vehicles, A.I., and space exploration reaching fever pitch, there will be new multilateral science and technology acts proposed.

Examples

The Geneva Conventions, the League of Nations, International Monetary Fund, United Nations, and World Health Organization started as a result of multilateral agreements between sovereign nations. After somewhat recent revelations that a pair of genetically engineered twin girls had been born in China, some now wonder whether international norms are enough.

What’s Next

Now that many fields of science and technology have started to produce transformational new developments, lawmakers, researchers, and ethicists are calling for some kind of consensus, proposing international deliberations that could lead to international treaties and protocols.

The Impact

Proposals to create multilateral initiatives on artificial intelligence, genomic editing, and blockchain could prevent future conflict between researchers, companies and countries.

Watchlist

American Association for the Advancement of Science, International Social Science Council, International Union of Biological Sciences, United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Economic Forum.