Civil society groups call for more inclusive approach to global AI governance discussions
A civil society report on the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance highlights the need for broader participation, stronger human rights considerations and greater attention to inequalities between countries in future discussions on international AI governance.
A group of civil society organisations has published a report assessing the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, highlighting key issues raised during the meeting and recommending ways to make future discussions more inclusive and effective.
The report was developed by members of several civil society coalitions, including the Global Digital Rights Coalition, Global Digital Justice Forum, Global South Alliance, MAP-AI and civil society members of the Gender in Digital Coalition.
The first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance brought together governments and other stakeholders to discuss international cooperation, share experiences and explore approaches to governing AI technologies. According to the report, the meeting was an important step in creating a global forum for discussion but also revealed several gaps that need to be addressed.
Civil society groups highlighted concerns about unequal participation, noting that the perspectives of women, Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented communities were not sufficiently included. The report also pointed to uneven attention to human rights issues across discussions and limited opportunities for direct engagement between governments and other stakeholders.
The report emphasised that differences in AI capabilities and resources between countries, particularly between the Global North and Global South, require greater attention. Civil society organisations argued that future governance discussions should address these inequalities and ensure that international cooperation considers the diverse needs and experiences of different regions.
The groups welcomed the work of the Dialogue’s co-chairs and their efforts to bring together different stakeholders. However, they called for the next edition of the Dialogue to strengthen participation, incorporate human rights principles more consistently and ensure that discussions remain focused on inclusive and development-oriented approaches.
