Jordan's King Abdullah laments tech's effect on dwindling attention spans in UNGA speech

Jordan's King Abdullah II cautioned on Tuesday that technology, especially artificial intelligence, is leading to shorter attention spans that could threaten global stability. The issue was a key point in both King Abdullah's remarks and those of US President Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. King Abdullah emphasized the rapid pace of technological change, noting how conflicts around the world can now be viewed on smartphones and mobile devices in mere seconds.

He stated, "One study shows that average screen attention has fallen from 2.5 minutes in 2004 to just 47 seconds today." The King stressed that "a screen is not the world," but highlighted the growing concern that "attention has become a scarce habit" and that its direction matters greatly. He lamented that many people have forgotten the situation of Palestinians and suggested that the world's dwindling focus affects how issues are addressed at the UN, with some conflicts receiving sustained diplomatic attention while others fade away.

Trump's speech was marked by his defense of AI, suggesting it should be rebranded as "superintelligence" rather than artificial intelligence. However, his stance on AI regulation drew criticism, with polls showing a high level of opposition to unregulated AI development and data center construction.