Project
AI urgently needs governance and regulation and due to the transboundary nature of Artificial Intelligence, that governance needs to be global.
The Trust started to address this aim working with partners in the World Federalist Movement’s Transnational Working Group on AI (TWG on AI). This led to a series of papers and events, some through the TWG on AI, and others direct.
A. Papers and blogs
A first step was the production of a joint report setting out both the problem and a proposed way forward, with clear policy recommendations on governance and regulation 'Effective, Timely & Global - The Urgent Need for Good Global Governance of AI'
This was followed by another report by the One World Trust, AI Global Governance – What are we aiming for? , building upon the first, but somewhat broadening the future pathway – not wishing minor differences to prevent collaboration towards a shared goal.
Other Papers have explored specific proposals, Including: 'AI and Global Regulation: Can Mathew Scherer's National Proposal be Implemented on the International Level?' and a Baruch Plan for AI
B. Webinars
Working with the TWG on AI, a series of interviews has been held with leading individuals operating within the AI Ethics, Governance and Regulation space.
A second series of webinars was held with the TWG on AI in the form of panel events organised with partners around the world and with speakers sharing their different perspectives on the need for AI governance and the need for that governance to be global. Surveys were held of the participants views, indicating the aspects of AI most in need of effective governance.
C. Engagement with negotiations
Working with the TWG on AI, the Trust has been engaged with international negotiations in two fora:
Council of Europe: the TWG on AI has had observer status at, and been actively engaging with, the Council of Europe’s Committee on AI (CAI) since January 2023.
The Council of Europe's Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law was formally approved by Ministers in May 2024 and became the first binding international treaty in this field.
United Nations: the UN Secretary General referred to the need for AI governance in reports such as his "Road Map for Digital Cooperation" and his "Our Common Agenda report". The former led eventually to the formation of a High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence with an interim report by December 2023 and a final report at the start of the Summit of the Future in September 2024.
The strand that embraces AI was the Global Digital Compact (GDC) which was duly approved at the Summit of the Future.
The One World Trust submitted its recommendations and contributed orally, via the TWG on AI or as the One World Trust to:
D. The way forward
More and more in 2024 it became clear that a race is on- a commercial race between tech companies and a geopolitical race between the leading AI states. This provides the worst possible environment for developing high risk products. Governance is still far behind.
The Global Digital Compact was approved at the Summit of the Future and co-facilitators have been appointed to establish the modalities of the two key institutions proposed relating to AI, namely a multidisciplinary Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
The One World Trust submitted recommendations as part of the WFM TWG on AI, but the process is far too slow.
Several proposals have been put forward by various parties such as a Narrow Path by Control AI and Tool AI by the Future of Life Institute – or a Baruch Plan for AI.
Supporters of these different solutions need to work together to put a stop to this hectic and potentially catastrophic race. The One World Trust Chair appeared on a London Futurists panel discussing the way forward.
