Sudhir Tiku - The Geography of AI: Beyond Silicon Valley

Sudhir Tiku uncovers the geographical variations of Artificial Intelligence, and the role of the Global South in shaping its future. RGS-Singapore presents: "The Geography of AI: Beyond Silicon Valley" with Sudhir Tiku! The story of technology is too often told as if it begins and ends in Silicon Valley: a handful of research labs and companies are presented as the only stages where the drama of artificial intelligence unfolds. On the contrary, the rest of the world is cast in a supporting role, if it appears at all. This narrative is convenient, but also deeply misleading. Progress has never belonged to a single geography. The wheel, zero, irrigation, paper, and philosophy all emerged in what we now call the Global South, long before today's Global North imagined itself as the sole custodian of of innovation. The Global South holds scale, diversity, creativity, and urgency. It has the capacity to not just use AI, but to shape it as well. And in doing so, it may teach the world something deeper about intelligence itself - both human and artificial. This talk covers not just the geographical variations of AI, but also introduces the emerging importance of small language models. In many parts of the world, the future of artificial intelligence cannot depend solely on large language models requiring enormous computing power, energy, and constant high-speed connectivity. Smaller, specialised models can consume fewer computational resources, operate at the edge, and remain useful where internet access is intermittent or expensive. They therefore offer a compelling pathway towards more sustainable, affordable, and locally relevant AI, which is the need of the hour for the developing world. Date: 29 October 2026 Time: 7.30pm-8.30pm (Doors open at 7pm) Venue: Hollandse Club Singapore (22 Camden Park, Singapore 299814) Due to traffic congestion in the vicinity of the Hollandse Club during the evening peak hours, please allow extra travel time if you will be travelling to the venue via taxi or private transport.