Teams chosen by a panel of faculty and technology experts will further refine their projects in the competition’s final phase.

Participating speakers include former NYC mayor David Dinkins, Gov. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, Barham Salih of Kurdistan, and many more.

Toomas Hendrik Ilves reflected on recent events in Ukraine and the Middle East, suggesting that some concerns did not go away with the Cold War.

He says the current atmosphere of confrontation and unwillingness of Russia and Ukraine to talk are reminiscent of the Cold War.

The governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority discussed the need to manage the country's resources to benefit all of its citizens.