Global AI Governance Landscape
The governance of artificial intelligence has emerged as one of the most contested geopolitical challenges of the 2020s. Key international frameworks include the OECD AI Principles (2019, 42 countries), the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI (2021, 193 countries), the EU AI Act (2024, first binding legislation by a major jurisdiction), and the Bletchley Declaration (2023, UK AI Safety Summit). India has positioned itself as a bridge between developed and developing nations, advocating for AI governance frameworks that prioritise access, development, and sovereignty — distinct from the EU's rights-based regulatory approach and the US's voluntary standards preference.
- OECD AI Principles (2019): First intergovernmental standard on AI; adopted by 42 countries including India
- UNESCO Recommendation on AI Ethics (2021): Covers bias, privacy, explainability — 193 member states
- EU AI Act (2024): First binding comprehensive AI law globally; risk-based classification (unacceptable/high/limited/minimal)
- Bletchley Declaration (2023): 28 countries including India; focused on frontier AI safety
- India's AI Governance Guidelines (2025-26): Seven principles including "Innovation over Restraint"; no standalone AI law in medium term
- India's regulatory approach: Light-touch, innovation-friendly; relies on sectoral regulation rather than omnibus AI law
● Tracked since February 16, 2026 · last seen March 13, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes