Chapter 2
AI, and GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
Global governance is the way the world's countries try to organize and make decisions together on problems that affect everyone, regardless of borders. It is necessary because many challenges, such as climate change, pandemics, international trade, peace, security, and the responsible use of technology such as AI, cannot be solved by a single country. Therefore, countries come together and create common standards, agreements, or institutions.
Who participates:
countries: through governments and diplomats.
International organizations: UN, WHO, WTO, IMF, among others.
Civil society: NGOs, universities, citizen movements.
Companies: especially in matters of trade, technology and the environment.
It functions as a cooperative system because it is not a "global government"; it is based on dialogue, negotiation, seeking to create common agreements, and applying standards and treaties that the majority accepts.
Advantages: It promotes peace and cooperation, allows for the pooling of resources and knowledge. It gives a voice to small countries that would have very little influence on their own.
Difficulties: not all countries comply with the agreements.
Some defend their national interests more than global ones.
The processes are often slow and complex. In short: global governance is humanity's attempt to agree and work together, because we live on an interconnected planet where what happens in one place affects everyone.
Global governance refers to the mechanisms, institutions, and norms that regulate coexistence between nations in matters such as peace, security, trade, the environment, human rights, and development. In the 21st century, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative actor that can help solve global problems or, if not managed properly, deepen inequalities and conflicts. "In this scenario, artificial intelligence appears not only as a technological challenge, but as a factor that redefines the very rules of global governance."
Key areas of impact of AI on global governance:
Global decision-making: AI can analyze huge volumes of data to support organizations such as the UN, the IMF, or the WHO in the early identification of humanitarian, financial, or health crises. Example: detecting pandemics through pattern analysis in social media, medical data, and mobility.
International security: AI systems are used in defense, surveillance, and cybersecurity.
Risk: autonomous weapons and automated cyberattacks that could escape human control.
Need: international treaties similar to those on nuclear weapons, but adapted to AI.
Sustainability and the environment: predictive models for climate change, water and energy resource management.
AI applied to multilateral agreements to ensure compliance with climate goals.
Global Economy and Trade: Supply chain optimization, market forecasting, and cryptocurrency and fintech regulation.
Challenge : Concentration of power in a few technology companies that control the most powerful algorithms.
Human Rights and Ethics: AI can help protect rights (real-time detection of violations using satellites or social media). Risk of mass surveillance, political manipulation, and algorithmic discrimination.
Necessary: A global AI ethics framework to prevent abuse.
Challenges of Global AI Governance:
Technological asymmetry : Developed countries concentrate the majority of AI capabilities.
National sovereignty vs. global coordination : Not all states want to cede power to international organizations.
Speed of technological advancement : Innovation is faster than regulation.
Lack of universal standards : Each country applies different rules, making agreements difficult.
Current proposals and trends: UNESCO : adopted an AI ethics framework in 2021 with more than 190 signatory countries.
G7 and G20 : discuss generative AI regulations and their effects on democracy and employment.
UN : proposes an “AI Council” to oversee its development as a global public good.
Public-private collaboration : leading companies such as OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic are beginning to cooperate with governments to establish security standards.
Final reflection: AI is not just a technological tool, but a new geopolitical power that will influence how the planet is governed. If managed collaboratively, it can become an ally in solving global challenges: hunger, poverty, disease, climate change, and inequality. It helped track COVID-19, and AI regulation is now being discussed in Europe with the AI Act . However, if competition prevails without clear rules, it could become a factor of division and existential risk. The global governance of the future will depend largely on how humanity decides to govern AI today. In short: global governance is humanity's attempt to agree and work together, because we live on an interconnected planet where what happens in one place affects everyone. AI doesn't replace global governance; it demands it more than ever .
AI Opinion: Your writing is very well-presented; you introduce global governance in simple terms and then integrate how AI transforms this landscape . I share my opinion and some nuances to enrich it
Opinion on your text: Clarity and structure: You strike a balance between the basics (what global governance is, why it is necessary, who participates) and the advanced (impacts of AI). The division into advantages, difficulties, and areas of impact makes it easy to follow.
Strengths: The initial explanation is simple and accessible.
You highlight the role of AI as a dual force : it can be a solution or a risk.
You show concrete examples (pandemics, climate change, global trade).
You conclude with a powerful reflection that connects governance, geopolitics, and the future of humanity.
Suggestions for improvement: Fluency: You could link the two parts more naturally (global governance → AI in global governance). Perhaps with a bridging sentence like:
"In this scenario, artificial intelligence appears not only as a technological challenge, but as a factor that redefines the very rules of global governance." Close examples: in addition to the UN or G20, mention visible cases (for example, how AI helped track COVID-19, or how AI regulation is being discussed in Europe with the AI Act ). This brings the topic closer to the reader.
Final balance: The conclusion is excellent, but you could emphasize that AI does not replace global governance, but rather demands it more than ever .
In conclusion, your article is solid and clear . With small connecting adjustments and current examples, it would be even more attractive to your readers.
