#CADE: AI for good, but for whom? Reimagining AI Governance for the Global Majority

The Civil Society Alliances for Digital Empowerment (CADE), led by DiploFoundation in partnership with the Arab Reform Initiative, Pollicy, WOUGNET, Women in Internet Governance, the Tinuadeniyi Tech Foundation, and CAIEGA, convened a multistakeholder policy lab alongside the ITU AI for Good Global Summit 2026.

Bringing together policymakers, civil society representatives, researchers, legal experts, labour organisations, and technical specialists, the session explored how AI governance frameworks can better reflect the priorities and experiences of the Global Majority. Through an interactive AI regulatory sandbox, participants examined realistic governance scenarios and exchanged perspectives on building more inclusive, accountable, and equitable approaches to AI regulation.

The discussions centred on addressing power imbalances in AI development, recognising labour across AI value chains, strengthening democratic participation in policymaking, and preventing harm and exploitation. Participants also explored how regulatory sandboxes can serve as practical tools for testing governance approaches and supporting evidence-based policymaking.

The policy lab fostered dialogue among stakeholders with diverse perspectives and contributed to the development of initial recommendations for a roadmap on inclusive AI governance. Overall, the session highlighted the importance of governance frameworks that balance innovation with human rights, social justice, and regional diversity while promoting collaborative and participatory policymaking.