SECRETARY BLINKEN: So I think all of us are learning from the COVID experience, and we had to adapt during that time, and one of the things that we had to adapt to was working at home. And one of the most interesting questions we’re looking at now, all of us, is: what lessons do we take from this that apply even after COVID is over? And I think there’s a real demand from people around the world, including young people, who want to have more flexibility, who want the ability, for example, to work at home. But it’s not just young people – it’s people of all ages who want to find ways to get a better work-life balance, who want to be able to have the flexibility to spend time with their family – or maybe their young children, maybe their elderly parents – and technology can enable that and having these flexibilities built in can enable that.
QUESTION: Glad to hear that and very – pleasure – my pleasure to meet you.
QUESTION: This is at, like – in three years’ time. But what do you think?
QUESTION: So the first question is going to be about, like, the technology issue and the sustainability issue, that – the U.S. is the world leader in both sides, right. How do you think these two issue can go well together, technology and sustainability?
QUESTION: Yeah.
QUESTION: Like hybrid working?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: It’s wonderful to be back actually seeing, talking to colleagues from around the world. And look, we did adapt during COVID. Everyone got used to Zoom more or less.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Oh, it’s —
QUESTION: Yeah.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you.
QUESTION: Okay. Thank you so much. And what about the blockchain technology? How do you think it can help enhance, like, the security level in people life?
If we do that, whether it’s AI, whether it’s blockchain, whether it’s quantum, whether it’s any of the new technologies we’re talking about, then we’ll have progress for everyone. We have to make sure that it’s inclusive, that it brings everyone in. And ultimately, what’s so powerful about technology when it’s used in the right way is it connects people, and those connections hopefully produce good things.
If we do that, whether it’s AI, whether it’s blockchain, whether it’s quantum, whether it’s any of the new technologies we’re talking about, then we’ll have progress for everyone. We have to make sure that it’s inclusive, that it brings everyone in. And ultimately, what’s so powerful about technology when it’s used in the right way is it connects people, and those connections hopefully produce good things.
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Yeah.
QUESTION: How do you feel?
SECRETARY BLINKEN: Like this.
