AI Governance & Regulation
The rules, institutions, and processes that shape how AI is developed, deployed, and held accountable — from national laws to international frameworks and multi-stakeholder agreements.
Trajectory
Fragmentation into bloc-based, corporate-shaped rules
Main driver
Corporate interests displacing democratic process
Leading actors
OECD (US bloc), SCO (China bloc), US Big Tech
State in 2040
No global framework; corporate norms dominate
AI governance takes place largely within the two geopolitical blocs. The OECD acts as the main platform for AI governance in the US-led bloc. China uses the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to define political guidelines and AI standards for its partner countries. Governance is increasingly shaped by corporate interests rather than democratic processes, and international organisations struggle to keep pace.