Archive · 3 Sep 2026
G20 Agrees on Principles to Guide Emerging Technology
The G20 countries agreed on shared ideas for handling new technologies.
These ideas are called the Carolina principles.
They encourage governments to fund basic research and help new inventions reach the market.
They also support using new technologies in a safe and trusted way.
The principles say governments should use existing rules when possible.
New rules may be needed when a technology creates problems that older rules did not consider, such as large-scale drone deliveries.
Officials also discussed artificial intelligence in government and how technology may change jobs.
Technology companies and researchers, including representatives from NVIDIA, SpaceX, Meta and Google DeepMind, took part in the meeting.
G20 members reached consensus on principles governing emerging technologies after two days of negotiations in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The Carolina principles call for investment in foundational research and stronger routes for developing and commercialising discoveries.
The framework encourages trusted technology adoption and recommends new regulations only when existing sector-specific rules do not address novel issues.
US officials said the principles could apply across different political and legal systems and support productivity, competitiveness and quality of life.
The ministerial discussed artificial intelligence, technology standards, government services and workforce changes, with executives and researchers from major technology organisations participating.
- Who
- The G20 countries, including the United States, reached the agreement; US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House science advisor Michael Kratsios announced it.
- What
- They endorsed the Carolina principles for emerging technology and a broader G20 innovation ministerial statement.
- When
- At the conclusion of a two-day G20 Innovation Ministerial; the articles do not provide specific dates.
- Where
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
- Why
- The principles are intended to accelerate innovation, investment and economic growth while encouraging responsible technology adoption.
- Agreement
- G20 members reached consensus on a new innovation ministerial statement.
- Framework
- The agreement includes the Carolina principles for emerging technology.
- Research
- The principles call for government investment in foundational research.
- Commercialisation
- They seek stronger pathways for developing and commercialising discoveries.
- Regulation
- They recommend using existing sector-specific rules where appropriate and creating new rules for novel considerations.
- Topics discussed
- The ministerial addressed artificial intelligence, technology standards, government services and workforce changes.
- Participants
- Representatives from NVIDIA, SpaceX, Meta, Google DeepMind and other technology organisations and institutions addressed the meeting.