Regulating Artificial Intelligence in a Fragmented World — Regula
Regulating Artificial Intelligence in a Fragmented World — Regula
Publish Date: 2026-02-09 08:04:00
Source Domain: natlawreview.com
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AI Governance vs. Rapid AI Development:
- AI is evolving faster than accompanying regulations can keep up, creating tension in effective governance.
- Sanjay Puri leads the Regulating AI podcast, addressing these challenges through discussions in Davos and the UN General Assembly.
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Inclusive Governing Approach:
- Governance is framed as an all-encompassing process affecting societies and democracies, not just institutions.
- Participants emphasize that diplomacy, policy, education, healthcare, and industry all need to engage in the conversation.
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Fragmentation in Practice:
- While fundamental principles like accountability and transparency can often align, differences often emerge in execution.
- Dr. Jess Coner illustrates four zones of AI maturity, emphasizing that convergence is a continuous journey that relies on literacy and foundational understanding.
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Coalitions of Willing:
- Given rapid AI advancements, waiting for universal consensus may be inefficient; thus, the concept of coalitions of willing is proposed.
- Such coalitions can prototype governance models that may be adopted by others, stressing shared constraints and responsibilities across diverse political systems.
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The EU AI Act:
- The conversation includes insights on the EU AI Act, emphasizing the need to balance innovation with safeguarding democratic freedoms.
- Brando Benifei highlights that certain AI uses, like mass biometric surveillance and AI-only predictive policing, are explicitly banned, and regulation must remain flexible.
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Role of Small States and Industry:
- Smaller states are seen as influential in AI governance due to their agility and neutral role.
- Collaboration between government and industry is underscored as crucial; they need governance that bridges profit-driven corporations and mission-driven governments.
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Responsive Governance:
- Ultimately, Dr. Jess Coner emphasizes that governance should be responsive rather than restrictive—knowing when to slow down, speed up, or become more responsive.
- The success of democratic AI governance relies on pace-matching, coalition-building, and shared responsibility.