Artificial intelligence is no longer a niche issue—it is a defining force in international relations. From autonomous weapons and surveillance to AI-driven trade logistics and global health, its impact is as sweeping as it is unregulated. This pervasive influence underscores the critical significance of establishing robust frameworks for global AI governance to ensure its development and deployment align with ethical principles and societal well-being.   

Its reach is expansive, yet despite its vast implications, AI governance remains largely concentrated in the hands of senior policymakers, corporate leaders, and technocrats. The voices of the next generation—those who will inherit and advance this technology—are still notably absent from the global policy table. Youth Leaders Davos (YLD), a powerful initiative founded and led by the visionary global educator and entrepreneur April Swando Hu (Yale ’84), provided a unique platform to address this critical gap during the 2025 World Economic Forum week in Davos, Switzerland. In Davos, I joined youth leaders from across the globe to confront one of the most urgent challenges of our time: ethical and inclusive AI governance. This catalytic incubator of ideas, conceived by Ms. Hu’s commitment to fostering future-oriented leadership, transformed abstract interests into actionable conviction.

Participating in a specialized forum on the ethical implications of AI in healthcare diagnostics and a simulation exercise on international cooperation in regulating large language models served as critical launchpads for understanding the complexities and urgency of youth involvement in these crucial conversations. These experiences underscored how the future of global governance will be inextricably linked to the governance of artificial intelligence, demanding the inclusion of diverse perspectives to navigate its profound societal implications.

Global institutions have begun to respond: UNESCO introduced a global ethical framework for AI, the OECD offers AI policy observatories, and the EU’s AI Act marks a regulatory landmark. While these frameworks represent important progress, there remains an opportunity to integrate more diverse, youth-driven perspectives—especially from the Global South. Young people, who are both at the forefront of technological innovation and among those most impacted by its outcomes, bring vital insights that can complement the expertise of established policymakers and technocrats.   

This generational gap became clear during discussions where senior leaders contributed deep expertise on the technical and geopolitical dimensions of AI, while our cohort brought complementary perspectives rooted in ethical urgency, lived experience, and future-oriented thinking. We questioned how AI could reinforce structural inequities if left unchecked, and how algorithmic opacity might deepen divisions along socioeconomic and racial lines. Far from being idealistic, these concerns reflected a grounded understanding of how power and technology intersect.

International institutions can embed fairness, transparency, and sustainability into digital systems by adopting inclusive, human-centered design standards that prioritize equity across socioeconomic and cultural contexts. Fairness begins with representative data: AI systems must be trained on diverse, de-biased datasets that reflect global populations, not just data from dominant regions or demographics. To ensure transparency, institutions should advocate for algorithmic explainability—requiring developers to disclose decision-making processes and enabling public audits of AI tools deployed in high-stakes areas like healthcare and finance. Sustainability, meanwhile, demands regulatory alignment between technological innovation and environmental stewardship; this includes incentivizing energy-efficient AI models and embedding climate risk assessments into digital infrastructure development. Only through such principled and coordinated action can international institutions ensure that AI development aligns with the broader goals of equity, accountability, and long-term global well-being.

History offers precedents. Youth-led advocacy has long shaped global discourse—from the anti-apartheid movement to climate activism. More recently, figures like Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai have challenged international bodies to rethink who gets to speak and what solutions are prioritized. Yet when it comes to emerging technologies like AI, young voices are often sidelined in favor of corporate interests or state security agendas.   

What would a more inclusive model of AI governance look like? It would involve intergenerational collaboration, yes, but also concrete policy mechanisms: youth representation in multilateral AI forums, funding for grassroots AI education in underrepresented regions, and a global youth assembly to propose digital rights frameworks. Just as the Paris Agreement was shaped by civil society and indigenous voices, the future of AI demands broad-based legitimacy grounded in ethical pluralism.

Three key principles should guide international AI governance moving forward. First, self-aware leadership. Before we can regulate machines, we must interrogate our own values. Leadership development grounded in self-reflection, empathy, and humility is critical to resisting the technocratic temptation to govern from above. Second, cross-cultural intelligence. AI systems are trained on data, but values are shaped by culture. Building ethical AI requires deep, cross-cultural engagement that prioritizes local contexts and historically marginalized communities. Third, purpose-driven innovation. Innovation must serve people, not just markets. As the tech sector becomes increasingly globalized, international bodies must align AI development with public goods—healthcare, education, and climate resilience—rather than profit maximization.   

The principles of self-awareness, cross-cultural intelligence, and purpose-driven innovation, underscored during my time with Youth Leaders Davos during the 2025 World Economic Forum week, offer a vital framework for how the next generation can and must contribute to shaping the ethical trajectory of AI on a global scale. Given the profound and multifaceted impact of AI on the international order, the inclusion of youth perspectives in its governance is not merely desirable but an imperative for a future that is both technologically advanced and ethically sound.

Artificial intelligence does not represent an inevitable trajectory, but rather a domain shaped by intentional design. The principles and values that guide its development today will fundamentally influence the international order and societal structures of tomorrow. The insights gained at Youth Leaders Davos highlight the urgent need to empower young leaders in this critical endeavor.

Featured/Headline Image Caption and Citation: Annual Meeting Davos: Aerial photograph of Davos, Image sourced from Flickr | CC License, no changes made

ExxonMobil’s operations in Guyana are at the nexus of oil expansion, environmental responsibility, and legal entanglements. As the company seeks to broaden its footprint in one of the world’s fastest-growing oil regions, it faces opportunities and challenges that will shape its future in the South American country. President Irfaan Ali’s commitment to balancing oil production with environmental sustainability has highlighted the complexities of navigating rapid resource development while preserving ecological integrity. By advocating for Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and emphasizing the importance of reinvesting oil revenues into sustainable infrastructure and adaptation projects, Dr. Ali has set a benchmark for responsible oil governance. Additionally, the high-profile arbitration involving Hess’s assets in Guyana underscores the stakes for ExxonMobil, as the legal outcome could significantly influence its control over the lucrative Stabroek Block. Together, these factors bring Exxon’s ambitions into sharp focus, as the company must navigate both governmental priorities and legal disputes to secure its position in the region.

 ExxonMobil’s Expansion Plans in Guyana

Guyana’s offshore oil fields, discovered by ExxonMobil in 2015, have transformed the country into a burgeoning energy powerhouse. The Stabroek Block, operated by Exxon with partners Hess Corporation and China’s CNOOC, has become a crown jewel in the global oil industry. To date, approximately 11.6 billion barrels of oil and gas have been discovered in the block. Current production levels stand at around 391,000 barrels per day, with output expected to exceed 1.2 million barrels per day by mid-2027.

ExxonMobil, which owns a 45% stake in the Stabroek Block, is looking to further capitalize on Guyana’s oil wealth. In a recent arbitration, Exxon raised objections to Chevron’s $53 billion acquisition of Hess, claiming it has a right of first refusal to Hess’s 30% stake in the field under the Stabroek joint operating agreement. While ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods has emphasized the company’s contractual rights in the arbitration process, there is no confirmed public statement regarding a counter bid for Hess’s assets. The arbitration panel’s decision will significantly impact Exxon’s ability to expand control over the lucrative Guyana assets.

At the heart of this arbitration is whether Hess’s Guyana assets are so valuable that they warrant independent appraisal and a rethinking of the Chevron-Hess merger.  Analysts estimate that Hess’s share in the Stabroek Block accounts for 70% of the value of Chevron’s acquisition bid, underscoring the importance of this resource to global oil players.

The stakes are high for ExxonMobil. In 2023, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited reported a net profit of approximately GY$614.6 billion (US$2.9 billion), reflecting a GY$36.9 billion increase compared to 2022. 

Moreover, while ExxonMobil’s expansion might lead to short-term economic gains, the government must maintain strict oversight and transparency to prevent environmental degradation. Guyana’s rich biodiversity and role as a carbon sink must not be sacrificed in pursuit of oil profits. The decisions made today could have lasting consequences for future generations. The government and international partners must prioritize sustainable practices and ensure that the benefits of this newfound wealth are shared equitably among all Guyanese citizens. This is a pivotal moment for Guyana, and careful, ethical management of its resources will determine whether this chapter in its history becomes a success story or another cautionary tale of resource exploitation.

 Legal and Financial Stakes in Guyana’s Oil Riches

The stakes are high for ExxonMobil. In 2023, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited reported a net profit of approximately GY$614.6 billion (US$2.9 billion), reflecting a GY$36.9 billion increase compared to 2022 . The consortium, which includes Hess and CNOOC, collectively produced over 142 million barrels of oil in 2023. Guyana’s oil production is projected to exceed 1.3 million barrels per day by 2027, positioning it as a critical component of ExxonMobil’s long-term growth strategy.Gaining more control over these assets would bolster Exxon’s global standing and ensure a steady revenue stream for decades. Other companies involved in oil exploration and production in Guyana include Tullow Oil, CGX Energy Inc., and Repsol, alongside smaller operators focusing on blocks outside the Stabroek area.

Chevron and Hess maintain that the merger does not trigger a change of control under the terms of the Stabroek Block agreement, arguing that Hess will continue to operate its Guyana assets despite the corporate merger. The arbitration panel’s decision, expected to weigh heavily on the valuation of Hess’s assets, could set a legal precedent for future oil deals in emerging markets.

 Environmental Responsibility and Guyana’s Low Carbon Strategy

While ExxonMobil aggressively seeks to expand its oil operations in Guyana, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has emphasized the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability. In his recent interview at The New York Times Climate Forward event, Dr. Ali highlighted the importance of Guyana’s forests and biodiversity in global climate change efforts. He noted that Guyana’s forests, which store 19.5 gigatons of carbon and sequester 153 million tons annually, play a critical role in the planet’s ecological health.

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) aims to balance the country’s oil ambitions with environmental preservation. Under the LCDS, Guyana seeks to monetize its forests through the carbon credit market, generating revenue to support conservation efforts and community development initiatives. Separately, oil revenues are reinvested into sustainable development projects, such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education, with a particular focus on benefiting indigenous communities. Dr. Ali stressed that the strategy was developed through nationwide consultation, including with indigenous leaders, despite some groups’ concerns about the process’s transparency.

In the same breath, Dr. Ali defended Guyana’s right to exploit its oil resources to fund critical infrastructure and adaptation projects, such as sea defenses and drainage systems, as the country faces rising sea levels due to climate change. However, this approach underscores a paradox: the very oil production that contributes to global carbon emissions and accelerates climate change is being relied upon to fund solutions to mitigate its effects. Dr. Ali argued that oil will remain part of the global energy mix beyond 2050, but he also emphasized that Guyana’s carbon sink and low deforestation rate position it as one of the world’s least environmentally damaging oil producers.

ExxonMobil’s Expansion Amidst Environmental and Social Concerns

As ExxonMobil pushes to expand in Guyana, it must navigate a complex landscape of legal challenges and environmental responsibility. Critics argue that if not carefully managed, Guyana’s oil production could lead to environmental degradation and pose risks to local communities. There have already been concerns about potential oil spills and the adequacy of Guyana’s environmental oversight, with a recent court ruling calling the country’s Environmental Protection Agency “derelict” in its duties.

ExxonMobil’s efforts to expand in Guyana will require balancing these environmental concerns with its legal obligations, financial ambitions, and duty to maximize returns for its shareholders. The outcome of the arbitration with Chevron and Hess could allow Exxon to consolidate its control over the Stabroek Block, ensuring that it remains a key player in the global oil industry for years to come.

At the same time, under Dr. Ali’s leadership, Guyana’s government must manage the delicate task of leveraging its oil wealth to support sustainable development while protecting its invaluable environmental assets. How these dual priorities are managed will determine whether Guyana can become a model of responsible oil production in a world feeling the effects of climate change.

Conclusion

ExxonMobil’s expansion in Guyana is a defining moment for the company and the country. As the world moves toward renewable energy, Guyana’s oil wealth offers a rare opportunity for Exxon to strengthen its global position. However, the legal dispute over Hess’s assets and the broader environmental concerns expressed by President Dr. Irfaan Ali in his New York Times Climate Forward interview, present significant challenges. How ExxonMobil and Guyana navigate these competing interests will shape the future of the country’s oil industry and its role in the global energy landscape.

Exxon’s ambitions in Guyana are clear, but the path forward is fraught with legal, environmental, and social hurdles. The company’s ability to successfully secure greater control over Guyana’s oil assets, maintain profitability, and navigate its environmental responsibilities will depend not only on the outcome of its arbitration with Chevron and Hess but also on its ability to balance expansion with the environmental stewardship increasingly demanded by the global community.

Nonetheless, ExxonMobil’s expansion in Guyana should be viewed through a critical historical lens. Guyana should seek to buck the trend of resource extraction by foreign corporations, without adequate safeguards or reinvestment in the local economy, that has led to environmental degradation and economic inequality in many countries. Guyana, now poised to be a significant oil producer, must monitor and regulate this expansion to prevent such exploitation from reoccurring. The government and international stakeholders must prioritize transparency, environmental sustainability, and equitable sharing of profits to avoid repeating past mistakes. While the economic potential is significant, there is an urgent need for robust oversight to protect Guyana’s long-term interests, ensuring that its people and environment benefit from this wealth rather than being exploited by external forces. 

Featured/Headline Image Caption and Citation: ExxonMobil Logo, taken on Dec 30, 2015 | Image sourced from FMT | CC License, no changes made