The 70th Bilderberg meeting commenced in Madrid, Spain, bringing together world leaders and industry magnates to discuss global issues, notably the "future of warfare." The secretive conference, which began on Thursday, has seen heightened security measures, including police drones, to protect high-profile attendees like the King of the Netherlands and NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The Bilderberg agenda covers pressing topics such as AI safety, climate change, and geopolitical conflicts involving Russia, China, and Ukraine. Notable participants include the CEO of Google DeepMind, the head of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and U.S. national security officials.
The meeting gathers influential figures from various sectors, including technology and defense. Palmer Luckey of Anduril Industries and Alex Karp of Palantir are present, both known for their contributions to military technology. Financial heavyweights like Ana Botín, chair of Banco Santander, and executives from Citigroup and Deutsche Bank are also in attendance.
This year's event is hosted by Ana Botín, with Marcus Wallenberg, chairman of Saab, expected to host next year in Sweden.