Good morning.
I’m in San Francisco for Fortune Brainstorm AI and our local CEO Initiative dinner. Join us via livestream for the conference, where we’ll talk about how AI is rapidly reshaping everything from supply chains to space exploration.
Here on earth, you can’t ignore how humans are rapidly reshaping the political landscape, most recently with the ouster of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after his government collapsed yesterday. Along with ending a dictatorship that began in 1971 under Assad’s father, the rebels have dealt a blow to Russia, Iran and Hezbollah.
Syria’s regime collapse could be a boon for business and democracy, or it could lead to further instability. The country’s 14-year civil war already sparked the worst refugee crisis since WWII. Now, U.S. troops will stay in Syria to battle ISIS in the hope that former jihadist leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani will embrace a more pro-Western world view. It won’t be easy: Much like Suharto did during his three-decade rule in Indonesia, Assad kept a tight grip on core economic sectors. That could make it tougher to rebuild.
Meanwhile, France's government also collapsed last week after a no-confidence vote forced Prime Minister Michel Barnier to resign after just 91 days. While the motivation and methods may be different, the collapse of France’s minority government also comes at a delicate time for its economy. Already burdened by rising debt, borrowing costs, and bankruptcies, its predicament has been exacerbated by a rolling wave of public-sector strikes. The collapse of France’s government is also a blow to the European Union, which was already dealing with the collapse of Germany’s coalition government last month. (However, pro-EU protesters have taken to the streets in Georgia.)
Technology didn’t cause the ouster of Assad or the collapse of France’s coalition government. But AI could transform society in a way that deprives people of jobs, spurring more unrest, frustration and a feeling of unfairness.
Every good leader tries to win the hearts and minds of the people they serve. After all, unhappy people tend to challenge the status quo. The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week set off a torrent of complaints about fairness in healthcare costs, making other leaders fearful for their safety. Trying to understand what’s driving some of the public reaction doesn’t make Thompson’s death any less tragic. As one CEO told me last week: “When people try to tell you something, I’ve learned it’s better to listen than dismiss what they have to say.”
More news below.
Diane Brady
diane.brady@fortune.com
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