Tools and Weapons: The Promise and the Peril of the Digital Age explores the challenges of balancing the enormous potential and the existential risk that emerging digital technologies pose to humanity.

Digitalization has infiltrated every aspect of our lives, and it will soon become as ubiquitous and fundamental to societal development as electricity.

While the tech revolution has undoubtedly brought many benefits, information technology can be easily hijacked and transformed into a weapon if it falls into the wrong hands.

Who bears the responsibility of creating an ethical framework where newly emerging tech can function without negatively impacting millions of lives?

Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, highlights the importance of collaboration between governments and multinational IT companies in building a safer future for everyone.

Regulators will need to strike a balance between the fast, disruptive developments that come with innovation, and maintaining the individual rights to privacy and safety.

Here, Smith offers his unique perspective as one of the leaders of the tech revolution, relaying experiences from his work with international partners on issues such as privacy, cybersecurity, big data, artificial intelligence, and human rights.