Who gets to shape AI? UN debate centres on power, trust and inclusion

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-30T21:51:16.629Z • Permanent link

Google's AI ethics board, co-chaired by Dr. John Langford, a renowned AI ethicist, and Dr. Oren Etzioni, a well-known AI researcher, has been under scrutiny lately. The board's proposed framework for AI development and deployment has been met with skepticism by some, who argue that it does not go far enough in addressing concerns around bias, accountability, and transparency. In a recent UN debate, the topic of AI governance took center stage, with representatives from various countries and institutions vying for influence.

Representatives from the European Union, led by the European Commission's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, emphasized the need for a unified, EU-wide approach to AI regulation. The EU's proposed AI strategy, published in April 2021, aims to promote the development and deployment of AI in ways that respect human rights and democratic values.

Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Science and Technology has been promoting its own AI strategy, which focuses on the development of high-performance computing capabilities and the creation of a global AI talent pool. The Chinese government has also been actively courting international cooperation on AI, with a series of high-profile visits by top officials, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The implications of AI governance are far-reaching, with significant impacts on companies, research communities, and markets worldwide. For instance, the European Union's proposed AI regulations, which are currently under review, could have a major impact on the tech industry, particularly on companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook, which have significant AI operations in the EU.

Research communities, such as the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), have also been vocal about the need for more transparent and accountable AI development and deployment practices. The AAAI's proposed guidelines for AI development, which emphasize the importance of human-centered design and explainability, reflect a growing recognition of the need for more responsible AI development.

In the markets, the rise of AI-driven trading platforms has created new opportunities for investors, but also raised concerns about market volatility and the potential for AI-driven market manipulation. The development of AI-driven trading platforms has also created new challenges for regulatory bodies, which must balance the need to promote innovation with the need to prevent potential abuses.