Behind this 'research priorities' metric lie hidden costs and often ignored human realities.
The idea that simple priorities are enough to realize a round table on AI is an abstraction that does not account for true adverse incentives.
If stakeholders, such as lawyers or regulators, perceive that their participation in this round table diverts resources from their lucrative activities or generates regulatory uncertainty, the initiative is doomed to failure.
For example, research priorities on access to justice will not prevent lawyers from boycotting a discussion on AI if it risks eroding their fees or shifting their clientele without a clear counterparty.