At the recent G7 summit in Canada, discussions primarily focused on economic opportunities related to AI, while governance issues for AI systems were notably overlooked. This shift towards prioritizing AI innovation and competition raises concerns about the risks associated with advanced AI capabilities that no single nation can manage alone.
At the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025 in Oslo, African leaders called for urgent action to develop sovereign and ethical AI systems tailored to local needs, emphasizing the necessity for fairness, transparency, and inclusion. Over 1,000 African startups relying on foreign AI models raise concerns about digital dependency, highlighting the need for transparent governance frameworks and local AI development.
As AI technology advances, the challenge of establishing effective regulations becomes increasingly complex, with different countries adopting varying approaches. This regulatory divergence poses significant compliance challenges for multinational companies deploying AI systems across borders.
China’s approach to artificial intelligence emphasizes the development of “embodied AI,” which interacts with the physical environment, leveraging the country’s strengths in manufacturing and infrastructure. This contrasts with the U.S. focus on cloud-based intelligence, leading to diverging models of AI development and potential implications for global technological standards.