AI Governance: Why Global South Perspectives are Crucial

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly advances, global discussions on its governance often overlook the unique challenges and perspectives of the Global South. Ignoring these viewpoints risks creating frameworks that are unsustainable and incompatible with diverse realities. The key is ethical adaptation, not just adoption, to ensure AI benefits all of humanity. according to a 2023 report by the United Nations, digital inclusion is critical for achieving sustainable development goals, yet many AI governance discussions fail to address this issue adequately UN.org.

The Imperative of Including the global South

Global North frameworks often prioritize advanced infrastructure and corporate dominance, neglecting the digital exclusion and technological dependency prevalent in the Global South.Including Southern perspectives is not just about equity; it’s a strategic necessity. Technologies that disregard local needs face resistance and unintended consequences. When AI systems are shaped with Southern contexts in mind, they become more adaptable and resilient.

Did You Know? The Global South represents over 80% of the world’s population, making their inclusion vital for truly global AI governance.

It’s time to consider what happens when governance is shaped by those who live with the consequences of AI, and what the Global North gains by listening.

Beyond Adoption: The Need for Ethical Adaptation

Many developing countries view AI through a binary lens: adopt or fall behind. Though, adaptation is a crucial dimension. Ethical adaptation requires cultural fluency,ethical grounding,and social inventiveness. It means embedding technologies within a community’s values and needs, rather than imposing external frameworks. This approach is vital for both the Global South and the Global North.

Ethical adaptation enables smoother cross-cultural adoption, reduces unintended harm, and ensures technologies are scalable without erasing diversity. It also mitigates social risks like public distrust and resistance to perceived techno-imperialism. These risks can affect global supply chains and market readiness. Investing in ethical adaptation secures more stable and socially accepted routes to adoption.

The Global South should be seen as a source of wisdom, offering choice logics of care and community that enrich global governance debates.

reflective Networks: An Indonesian Case Study

Reflective networks are emerging to bridge the gap between global frameworks and local realities. One example is IADERN (Indonesia Applied Digital Economy & Regulatory Network). IADERN arose from the realization that conventional governance tools were failing to address the complex realities of the Global South. Discussions around AI frequently enough remain siloed, dominated by technical jargon and disconnected from local infrastructure and cultural values.

Rather of replicating global models, IADERN focuses on “scaling depth,” facilitating trust across academic, governmental, civil, and creative sectors. It serves as a translation zone where AI ethics and digital public policy are shaped with nuance and humility, grounded in local context. Their model involves listening from the edges and co-creating frameworks that are locally rooted.

IADERN’s Impact

IADERN’s grounded approach has sparked international interest,contributing to whitepapers with institutions in Australia and China,co-authoring research with academic collaborators from India,and speaking in Dubai on smart mobility and blockchain. They have also contributed to the Brown Journal of World Affairs, read by global policymakers.

Their most enduring impact may lie closer to home, including media advocacy to demystify AI for local communities, collaboration with ministries to develop risk-aware policies, and translation of complex regulations into public narratives. IADERN has also been involved in workshops and capacity-building with industry stakeholders, providing insights into AI adoption and digital transformation. This includes co-developing AI risk management recommendations with Indonesia’s National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) and creating AI literacy guides for civil servants with the Ministry of Communications and Informatics (Kemkominfo/Kemkomdigi).

These acts build resilience.

The Role of Southern Interlocutors in Global Frameworks

The world needs conversational bridges-actors who can shuttle between high-level policy and ground-level insight. The Global South, when speaking from its own reality, becomes a recalibrator of the global order.Interdisciplinary actors are central to this recalibration, designing policy from the ground up.

The future of emerging technologies must involve ethical adaptation from the ground up. When local contexts shape AI governance, the technology becomes more humane, sustainable, and secure. As concerns rise about AI’s unchecked development, models from the Global South that emphasize inclusion and trust can help mitigate those risks.

Pro Tip: Engage with local communities early in the AI development process to ensure their needs and values are considered.

Toward a Pluralist Future

We cannot build trustworthy AI if we ignore trust-building traditions outside the West. We cannot ensure inclusive governance if we exclude the very contexts that define inclusion. The future of AI governance must be written in Jakarta,Nairobi,and Medellín,not just Brussels or Silicon Valley.

This is urgent amid the race for AI dominance between China and the United States, where ethical reflection is often the first casualty. The path forward must begin with dialog and trust, not dominance.

What steps can be taken to ensure the Global South has a stronger voice in AI governance? how can individuals contribute to promoting ethical AI adaptation in their communities?

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about AI governance and should not be considered legal or professional advice. Consult with qualified experts for specific guidance.

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