On commercial diplomacy, the United States is shifting assistance toward private-sector-led growth, including efforts with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Taiwan to connect every Pacific Islands Forum country to a trusted undersea cable network. A second Pacific Investment Summit is scheduled to be hosted in early 2027.
Failures involving agentic AI systems, he said, could disrupt essential services, fracture communications, destabilise critical infrastructure and undermine democratic institutions. Entire populations could lose access to clean water, heating and financial services.
Preliminary information indicates that he may have died from heart failure. Colleagues and family members said he had experienced health challenges, including episodes of convulsions and fainting, but the exact cause of death will be established by medical authorities.
The two-day conference taking place from November 7-8, 2024, themed Rebuilding Trust in Media in Times of AI, is meant to dialogue about public accountability, elections, AI, citizens' voices, and women in media.