Powell McCormick calls AI transformation a “group sport”
Dina Powell McCormick, Meta Platforms Inc.’s new president and vice chairman, stated that artificial intelligence demands cooperation among technology companies to prioritize “humanity” during her Axios interview since assuming the role. Powell McCormick, speaking at Axios House Davos, characterized AI as a “transformation” for the human race and advocated for industry alignment on “core values” to ensure the technology’s safety and productivity.
Powell McCormick, eight days into her new position, has a background spanning technology, finance, and government, having served as a Goldman Sachs executive and a senior official in both the George W. Bush and Trump administrations. She and her husband, Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), co-hosted an AI-energy summit in Pittsburgh last summer. The event convened technology CEOs, investors, labor leaders, and government officials to address the energy and workforce demands of AI growth.
Powell McCormick stated that AI development is a “group sport” requiring collaboration among “hyperscalers,” energy providers, and governments. She noted that the Pittsburgh summit brought together executives, including BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who agreed that the next phase of computing would necessitate 500,000 electricians in the United States, creating new jobs in areas that have experienced job losses. She noted her decision to join Meta stemmed from her admiration for CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the company’s board, believing a “transformation in humanity” is underway through AI technology.
Powell McCormick emphasized that AI’s trajectory depends on human judgment, urging careful and responsible guidance of the technology toward a productive and peaceful future. She posited that AI’s risks and benefits necessitate coordination among competitors despite ongoing market share battles. She called for technology companies to collaborate on shared “core values,” including safety standards, energy consumption, and regulatory approaches, aiming for a “prosperous” and “peaceful” future. She also said her contacts at other companies have shown eagerness to partner with Meta.