Summit of the Future (September 22-23, 2024):
The summit is poised to be a crucial moment for global diplomacy and the establishment of international norms in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Global Digital Compact (GDC): World leaders and stakeholders will convene under the United Nations to advance the GDC, which aims to address the digital divide, support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and create a secure, inclusive digital environment.
A key focus of the GDC is to strengthen global governance of technologies, including AI, ensuring they align with fundamental rights and values.
Given the significance of digital technologies, India must actively engage and shape the international discourse on AI governance.
Geopolitical Contestation:
Two key AI-related resolutions were adopted, led by the U.S. and China, reflecting their geopolitical contestation in digital governance.
U.S.-led Resolution: Titled ‘Safe, Secure and Trustworthy AI for Sustainable Development,’
It promotes a harmonized approach to AI governance, focusing on shared ethical principles, data protection, and transparency.
This positions the U.S. to assert dominance in AI technology.
China-led Resolution: Titled ‘Enhancing Cooperation on Capacity Building of AI,’
It emphasizes equitable AI benefits, bridging the digital divide, and promoting an open, non-discriminatory business environment.
This positions China as a key player in global trade and technology standards.
The UN is emerging as the apex forum for harmonizing global AI standards, offering an inclusive platform for addressing challenges and promoting international cooperation.
India’s Diplomatic Legacy and Strategic Engagement:
India has a deep historical legacy at the UN, particularly in championing the interests of the Global South in areas like climate negotiations.
India played a key role in shaping global climate action, advocating equity and climate justice, and ensuring that developing countries' needs were considered in agreements like the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.
India’s experience in leading Global South negotiations and its engagement in the G-20 and Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) positions it to influence AI governance discussions at the UN.
India’s Strategic Positioning in AI Governance:
As a Global South country, India faces challenges such as limited computing infrastructure, data quality, and capital in the AI innovation landscape.
India must ensure that AI governance discussions include considerations of equity, accessibility, and fairness, similar to its approach in climate agreements.
India has successfully registered these considerations in the G-20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration and the GPAI Ministerial Declaration, emphasizing fair access to AI resources and equitable sharing of benefits.
India should use the UN platform to ensure that the voices of developing countries are heard, advocating for more equitable access to AI technology and institutional mechanisms for knowledge sharing.
India can redefine the model to be more inclusive, actively involving smaller NGOs, SMEs, and marginalized groups from the Global South in global AI governance discussions.
India should advocate for AI governance that respects human rights, aligns with international laws, and ensures inclusivity, fairness, and representation of diverse global perspectives.
Challenges in AI Governance:
The AI governance discourse is being driven by U.S. and China’s strategic interests, risking the sidelining of the Global South’s unique needs and perspectives.
The gap between developed and developing countries is evident in AI advancements, with developing countries lacking basic infrastructure and resources essential for AI development.
Addressing these challenges requires policies and frameworks that are informed by local contexts to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities.
India’s Leadership Potential:
India’s legacy of advocating for the Global South, along with its active engagement in international fora, positions it well to lead conversations on AI governance.
India’s active engagement will not only advance its interests but also contribute to a balanced and sustainable global digital future.
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