Paddy Cosgrave claims Western dominance in innovation is over
Doha, Qatar – China is on track to take the lead in global technology over the next decade, according to Paddy Cosgrave, CEO of the international technology conference Web Summit.
In an interview on Al Jazeera Digital’s On The Record, Cosgrave stated that Western nations, particularly the United States, have lost their edge in technological leadership after decades at the forefront.
“For the last 50 years, the US led most technological advancements. But in the past 10 years, tech expertise has quickly spread across the globe,” he said.
He pointed to China as the future leader in this space, crediting its success to a strategic focus on collaboration between the state and private enterprises, which he described as highly effective.
Cosgrave criticized both the US and Europe for their response to global competition, saying they struggle when non-Western companies surpass them in innovation and performance.
The Irish tech entrepreneur also highlighted the Middle East as a key region for future technology growth, noting that emerging startups from the region will be a major focus at upcoming Web Summit events.
“When we first launched Web Summit, our attendees were primarily from Europe and North America. But in recent years, there’s been a noticeable rise in interest from the Arab world,” he added.
Qatar is set to host the next Web Summit from February 25 to 29, 2024. Cosgrave said the event will serve as a platform to connect global tech leaders with the region’s growing market.
“It will make clear that this region matters. If you’re in tech, you need to be here,” he concluded.
