“Unless we build AI under shared values and oversight, we risk giving power to systems beyond our control.” - Stuart Russell, AI pioneer
Strengthening the call for a global compact
India's PM Modi appealed at the G20 summit in Johannesburg for a “global compact on artificial intelligence (AI)”. As AI grows rapidly around the world, governments can sense the risks, ranging from deepfakes and misinformation to criminal or terrorist misuse. Governments now find the need for robust human oversight, safety-by-design systems, transparency, and a firm ban on harmful uses of AI.
Cooperation and inclusion needed
Cooperation on a global scale is the need of the hour. The United Nations has initiated a universal platform for a “Global Dialogue on AI Governance” to promote safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems, and encourage open innovation under coordinated international oversight. India released its own AI guidelines, underlining safety, accountability, transparency, and responsible innovation.
Fragmented regulation
But even after governments, corporations, and organizations releasing guides, frameworks, and principles, there is no single global regulatory standard. Most nations from the Global South remain on the sidelines, lacking a voice in shaping the rules. This results in confusion and troublesome operating standards.
Uneven participation and power imbalance
Only a few countries currently hold the computational resources and expertise to build advanced AI models, pushing the developing nations into the risk being excluded from meaningful participation in global governance. Without accessible open-source models, affordable computing and public digital infrastructure, many countries will simply remain bystanders, deepening global inequities.
Shared standards for responsibility
The world now needs shared safety standards, coordinated independent audits for high-risk AI systems, transparent data practices, and strong bans on harmful AI use. Developing countries must have access to open-source models, affordable computing, and public-digital infrastructure to adapt responsibly and not be left behind.
Summary
A truly global AI compact is urgently needed as nations rush to adopt AI without unified rules. Without coordination, many countries, especially in the Global South, will lack a voice and suffer unequal access to the benefits or protections of AI. Transparent standards and inclusive governance can create safer, fairer AI.
Food for thought
If powerful AI continues to develop mostly in a handful of countries, can a global compact truly ensure fair representation and shared benefit for all?
AI concept to learn: AI governance
Understanding AI governance helps you see how rules, standards and oversight influence how AI is developed and used. It shapes who benefits from AI, who is protected from its risks, and what rights individuals and societies have in an AI-powered world.
[The Billion Hopes Research Team shares the latest AI updates for learning and awareness. Various sources are used. All copyrights acknowledged. This is not a professional, financial, personal or medical advice. Please consult domain experts before making decisions. Feedback welcome!]
COMMENTS