AI Governance
Why is the Global South optimistic about Artificial Intelligence?
By Danish
The international community has received growing claims about the existential risks posed by accelerated development of frontier AI capabilities. This has triggered increased nervousness and distrust in AI. However, closer analyses of global sentiments suggest that this is not uniform. Global South countries have maintained much more positive assessments of the potential benefits of AI for sustainable development, while also putting forward their priorities on increasing equitable access to AI and fairly sharing its benefits, alongside the need for financing and capacity-building. By assessing the statements delivered by countries at the UN high-level week (22-28 September 2026), this brief surfaces the different sentiments between the Global South and Global North regarding AI. It provides some possible reasons for this divergence and suggests some ways forward to capture this optimism for generating positive AI impacts.
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South Centre Statement to the First Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance
Geneva, 6-7 July 2026
AI governance needs implementation of multilateral commitments, backed by financing & measurable progress. International cooperation & AI capacity-building for the Global South is key to leverage AI for development.
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Inputs to the Global Dialogue on AI Governance
South Centre
April 2026
These inputs have been provided in response to the letter by the Co-Chairs of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance dated 18 March 2026 requesting for stakeholders to share perspectives, priorities and proposals to inform the thematic focus, structure and preparations for the first Global Dialogue, to be held in Geneva on 6-7 July.
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Engaging the UN Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence for the Global South
By Danish
The UN General Assembly has set up the new Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence to assess how the development and deployment of AI technologies are creating risks, impacts and opportunities. Co-chaired by Maria Ressa and Yoshua Bengio, the Panel will be presenting its inaugural report in July 2026. This paper presents significant priorities for developing and least developed countries around AI impacts, benefit-sharing and governance, and provides some recommendations on how these priorities can be addressed by the Panel for promoting sustainable development in the global South.
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AI and the Global South: Impacts, Opportunities, and Policy Approaches
By Danish
Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to transform economies and societies worldwide, with significant implications for people and the planet. For developing nations, AI will bring both transformative benefits and risks, requiring a proactive approach to its regulation that builds safeguards while promoting innovation. This paper therefore provides an assessment of the potential multidimensional impacts of AI on the people and countries of the global South, particularly on their digital transformation, labour and industrial development.
The paper further emphasises the need for developing nations to consider flexible policy frameworks for AI governance, tailored to their own unique needs, priorities, and capacities. Emphasising the importance of multistakeholder engagement, such as through opportunities provided by the India-AI Impact Summit, the paper underscores the need for effective international cooperation to build safe, trustworthy AI that promotes sustainable development.
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