Governing Artificial Intelligence in a Fragmented World
Quick Look
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming global sectors and governance, raising the fundamental question of how to govern this powerful technology in an interconnected yet fragmented world, necessitating new institutional designs.
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Why It Matters
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming various global sectors and government decision-making, prompting a fundamental question about its governance in an interconnected yet fragmented world.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the world at extraordinary speed. It is reshaping manufacturing, finance, healthcare, education, scientific research and even the way governments make decisions. While AI advances at an unprecedented pace, one fundamental question has come to the fore: how to govern intelligence in an interconnected yet increasingly fragmented world?
These differences often dominate headlines. They may also obscure a more important reality. All three recognise that AI is becoming too powerful, pervasive and interconnected to be treated as ordinary technology.
Throughout history, transformative technologies have repeatedly forced societies to redesign institutions. Industrialisation transformed labour regulation. Global finance gave rise to international banking standards. Climate change has required entirely new forms of international cooperation. As institutional economist Douglas North observed, institutions evolve as changing economic conditions create incentives and uncertainties that existing rules can no longer manage effectively. AI may represent the latest example of this process.
Open Questions
- How will existing institutions adapt to AI's challenges?
- What specific new forms of international cooperation will emerge for AI?
