Generative AI is rapidly evolving: How governments can keep pace

The economic potential, transformative impact and rapid adoption of GenAI have led governments at all levels to invest in examining how to secure AI innovation in their jurisdictions while mitigating the technology’s risks and preventing harm.

Various task forces, committees and multistakeholder initiatives, such as the UN’s High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, have been set up to study and recommend appropriate government action. Additionally, numerous proposed AI-related bills are under consideration globally and some jurisdictions have already passed regulations, such as in the European Union, China and at the state-level in the United States.

The stakes of getting GenAI governance right are high but the task is no small feat and public-private cooperation is key to achieving this.

Policymakers and regulators contend with several compounding socio-technical and geopolitical complexities that can cloud effective government action. For example:

Over the past year, the World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Alliance has united industry and government with civil society and academia. The global multistakeholder effort has laid the groundwork for a pioneering framework with implementable strategies for resilient GenAI governance.

As policymakers worldwide continue to learn more about GenAI's promises and concerns, this report provides a roadmap for the development of agile, holistic and adaptable AI policy that will create a responsible AI ecosystem, facilitating economic opportunity while respecting human and individual rights.

“The report provides policymakers and regulators with a comprehensive 360-degree framework for the governance of generative AI, examining existing regulatory gaps, governance challenges unique to various stakeholders, and the evolving needs of this dynamic technology,” says Cathy Li, the Forum’s head of AI, data and metaverse.

Arnab Chakraborty, chief responsible AI officer at Accenture, shared the importance of this report:

“Accenture is proud to serve as knowledge partner to the Forum and the Alliance on this initiative. This report represents a critical milestone in the global conversation around comprehensive generative AI governance, moving beyond calls for responsible governance, alignment of principles and multistakeholder collaboration, and towards concrete mechanisms for action.”

Nita Farahany, a professor at Duke University and an alliance member, highlighted the report's practical format: “The three-pillar structure (Harness Past, Build Present, Plan Future) provides a clear roadmap for addressing the complexities of [GenAI]. Each section is well organized and offers actionable insights, which will be invaluable for policymakers and regulators.”

Another member, Miho Naganuma, a senior executive professional at the NEC Corporation, highlighted how the report will benefit industry members by “enabling their communication with policymakers and regulators.”

Effective national strategies for promoting responsible AI innovation require timely assessment of the current regulatory levers to tackle the technology’s unique challenges and opportunities. Before developing new AI regulations or authorities, governments should:

Policymakers and regulators cannot ensure resilient GenAI governance alone – industry, civil society and academia must also provide input. Governments should use more than just regulations to cultivate whole-of-society GenAI governance and cross-sector knowledge sharing by:

GenAI’s capabilities are rapidly evolving alongside other technologies. Incorporating preparedness and agility into GenAI governance is necessary alongside cultivating international cooperation. Governments must develop national strategies that consider limited resources and global uncertainties and that feature foresight mechanisms to adapt policies and regulations to technological advancements and emerging risks. This necessitates the following key actions:

The 360-degree framework is designed to support policymakers and regulators in developing holistic and durable GenAI governance. However, the specific implementation of the framework will differ between jurisdictions, depending on their national AI strategy, the maturity of AI networks, economic and geopolitical contexts and individuals’ expectations and social norms.

Policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and civil society are invited to reference the recommendations within this framework to drive GenAI, which contributes positively to our world and ensures a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.