Why the Future of AI Won't Be Built in Silicon Valley Alone | Sasha Rubel (AWS) | Live from Geneva

Is the future of artificial intelligence being shaped in places the world isn't paying enough attention to? Recorded LIVE at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Sanjay Puri sits down with Sasha Rubel, Head of AI Policy for EMEA at **AWS**, to explore why the next wave of AI innovation may come from Africa, why trust is the biggest driver of AI adoption, and how governments should rethink sovereignty, regulation, and responsible innovation. Drawing on her unique background in medicine, anthropology, international policy, and AI, Sasha explains why AI is as much a cultural revolution as a technological one—and why countries must focus on skills, inclusion, and trust if they want to unlock AI's full potential. The conversation explores sovereign AI, AI governance, responsible AI by design, global AI standards, local language models, digital infrastructure, and how policymakers can balance innovation with regulation. Chapters 00:00 – Why trust is the biggest barrier to AI adoption 00:53 – From medicine and anthropology to AI policy at AWS 05:00 – AI is a cultural revolution—not just a technological one 07:38 – Will Africa become an AI creator or just a consumer? 08:23 – Why Africa is already leading global innovation 12:03 – Local languages, AI access, and digital inclusion 13:47 – What sovereign AI really means 17:23 – The three pillars of digital sovereignty 17:43 – Ukraine's cloud strategy and digital resilience 20:11 – Should every country build the entire AI stack? 22:43 – Data security, resilience, and national infrastructure 25:32 – Why global AI standards matter 27:05 – How regulation can slow innovation—or accelerate it 29:07 – Building a global language for AI governance 32:29 – Why the Global Majority is embracing AI faster than the West 33:19 – Responsible AI by design: Trust drives adoption In this episode: Why Africa should be seen as an AI innovator—not just an AI market The role of anthropology in shaping responsible AI What sovereign AI really means for governments Why trust is essential for AI adoption Local language AI models and digital inclusion Responsible AI by design vs. regulation after the fact The future of AI governance and international standards Why regulatory fragmentation hurts innovation Lessons from Ukraine on digital resilience How governments can compete in the AI economy without owning the entire AI stack Whether you're a policymaker, entrepreneur, AI researcher, technology executive, or business leader, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on building AI ecosystems that are trusted, inclusive, and globally competitive. Guest: Sasha Rubel, Head of AI Policy, EMEA, AWS Host: Sanjay Puri Podcast: Regulating AI Podcast Recorded LIVE at: AI for Good Global Summit, Geneva 👍 Like this video if you believe responsible AI and innovation should go hand in hand. 💬 *Question:* Should every country build its own AI—or should they collaborate on a global AI ecosystem? 🔔 Subscribe for conversations with world leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators shaping the future of artificial intelligence. #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #AWS #SashaRubel #AIGovernance #ResponsibleAI #SovereignAI #AIForGood #DigitalSovereignty #Africa #Innovation #PublicPolicy #SanjayPuri #RegulatingAI