GS2 – Governance
Context
The UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General has urged the global community to adopt cohesive regulations for Artificial Intelligence (AI), citing concerns over job displacement, misinformation (such as deepfakes), and threats to social stability.
Why Global AI Governance is Urgently Needed
- Disjointed National Frameworks: AI regulations differ widely across countries, making it difficult to manage risks that transcend borders.
- Unequal Power Structures: A handful of nations and corporations dominate the AI space, exacerbating global inequality.
- Transnational Threats: The misuse of AI in conflict and for spreading disinformation presents serious risks to global peace.
- Civil Liberties at Stake: AI-facilitated surveillance and data profiling undermine democratic values and individual privacy.
- Lack of Legal Backbone: There is no binding international legal regime to oversee and regulate AI technologies.
Challenges in Achieving Global AI Governance
- Geopolitical Tensions: Rivalries, especially between global powers like the U.S. and China, obstruct consensus-building on AI norms.
- Concerns over Sovereignty: Nations fear that global rules might limit their technological autonomy and innovation capabilities.
- Inequitable Capacities: Developing countries often lack the institutional infrastructure and expertise needed to engage in global AI governance.
- Corporate Overreach: Big Tech companies exercise considerable influence, often sidelining state efforts to regulate AI.
- Institutional Gaps: No international organization currently has the mandate or enforcement authority to oversee AI governance at the global level.
Suggested Measures for a Way Forward
- UN-Led Dialogues: Organize semi-annual global forums under the UN to promote dialogue, share regulatory models, and align national efforts.
- Adaptive Regulatory Models: Encourage governance structures that support innovation while embedding ethical safeguards.
- Building Global Capacity: Set up AI training and research hubs in developing countries to close the skills and regulatory gaps.
- Common Standards Registry: Create a shared international platform for standard definitions and evaluation protocols.
- Independent Global Panel: Establish an expert panel to assess risks and formulate ethical frameworks for AI deployment.
- Global AI Access Fund: Launch a UN-supported fund to ensure inclusive access to AI benefits for underrepresented nations.
- India’s Domestic Step: Accelerate the finalisation of the Ministry of Electronics and IT’s (MeitY) draft AI legislation to balance regulation and innovation.