Anchored in the wider digital revolution, artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform the economy, society, geopolitics, and the global political orders we know today. The AI revolution's impact inextricably combines very substantive opportunities (e.g., AI for Good) and serious societal risks (e.g., unemployment, bias, privacy, safety). The prospect to shape AI development toward capturing these opportunities and minimizing the risks will depend on national-level policy, industry practices, and international coordination and collaboration. However, a global governance approach must consider the unique dynamics and challenges present in AI development. This chapter presents some of the main challenges and dynamics in AI governance and novel global governance approaches to help ensure safe and inclusive AI that benefits society broadly.

Complex Dynamics of the Rise of AI Today

Balance beneficial innovation with mitigating societal risks

Governance approaches for AI must consider the complexity of striking the right balance between activating and supporting beneficial innovations and mitigating downside risks and adverse effects. Compounded with the urgency of issues faced by humanity today, such as rapid climate change, biodiversity degradation, and widespread global poverty, our problems are becoming increasingly complex in an interconnected global environment. As a “generalpurpose technology,” AI has the potential to boost innovation, productivity, and economic growth globally and support progress toward the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) and achieve other social and humanitarian milestones. For example, in healthcare, privacy and security may be traded off for more accurate diagnostics and personalized treatment. In transportation, autonomous cars can reduce fatalities and carbon emissions while displacing millions of jobs. Satellite imagery for humanitarian planning balances privacy with access to humanitarian aid.

Policymakers lag in rapid technological advancement

Lawmakers are increasingly unable to stay apprised and keep up with fastpaced technological trends. AI is highly systemic, complex, and volatile and its development is rapid and unpredictable. Policymakers are increasingly unable to stay up-to-date and to manage impacts and risks. Knowledge gaps in government and communication gaps between the government and technology sectors hamper smart policymaking. This can lead to even informed policymakers struggling to predict the impacts of policies.