Artificial Promises or Real Regulation? Inventing Global AI Governance
The risks inherent to the unregulated use of AI, a key technology and vector of profound transformations within societies underline the pressing need to harmonize governance efforts at the international level. The Summit for Action on Artificial Intelligence to be held in Paris in mid-February could be an unprecedented timely occasion to agree on a global governance framework of AI for the public good.
Arising from the political and economic ambitions of a plurality of players with often divergent interests, the international framework of artificial intelligence (AI) is an acute reflection of contemporary geopolitical tensions.
The risks inherent to the development and mass adoption of AI, a key technology and vector of profound transformations within societies for health, education, employment or the environment, underline the pressing need to harmonize governance efforts at the international level.
Global governance of AI relies on the ability of state and non-state players to set common standards on technological risks, the boundaries to be drawn, and the principles to be safeguarded. These endeavors aim to promote the safe development of AI that is universal, adapted to cultural diversities, free from bias, and respectful of democratic values and fundamental rights and freedoms.
However, residual political, economic and legal challenges exacerbated by the limits of existing regulatory frameworks – in the face of increasing balkanization of governance approaches and fragmentation of the international community – considerably complicate the implementation of such an initiative.
Given the intrinsically evolving nature of AI, it is vital to build an adaptable and flexible “future-proof” governance framework capable of anticipating and adjusting to technical advances.
The Summit for Action on Artificial Intelligence to be held in Paris in February is an unprecedented timely occasion to agree on a shared vision of AI governance that is sustainable and inclusive. For decision-makers, it’s an opportunity to better grasp the evolution of practices, regulatory shortcomings, the interests influencing the agreements under construction, and the compromises needed to frame AI on a global scale in the years to come.
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Artificial Promises or Real Regulation? Inventing Global AI Governance
Author(s)
Laure de ROUCY-ROCHEGONDE
Director, Center for Geopolitics of Technology, Ifri
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Center for Geopolitics of Technology
Artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, cybersecurity, robotics, semiconductors, space... Technology, especially in the digital domain, is now deeply affecting all human activities and, by extension, international relations. The resulting political, strategic, economic and social issues manifest themselves at multiple political scales involving states, international organizations and private companies. The dynamics of international competition and cooperation are transformed.
It is to respond to these challenges that Ifri is launching the Geopolitics of Technology program in the fall of 2020, which builds on the work it already carried out on these subjects for several years.
The program takes a resolutely European approach to international issues related to so-called critical technologies. Its work is organized around four cross-cutting themes:
- Power: redistributions of power caused by new technologies, in particular digital; military and dual innovations; transformations of international competition;
- Sovereignty: definition of critical infrastructures and technologies; industrial and innovation policies in strategic sectors; opportunities and risks associated with international value chains;
- Governance: ethical and legal issues; interactions between companies, states, international organizations and users; public-private partnerships and GovTech;
- Society: political and social impacts of technological innovations; risks and opportunities for the future of work, health, the fight against climate change; connectivity and economic development.
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