OAFP 6205 - International governance of Artificial Intelligence

Over the last three years, the advent of AI in public discourse and the rapid advancement of increasingly powerful AI systems, in particular generative AI, has brought the topic of artificial intelligence at the forefront of public policy internationally, as part of a “ChatGPT effect”. AI being depicted as either a revolutionary opportunity or a potential cataclysm for humanity, policymakers worldwide are contending with these dual narratives, striving to strike a balance between mitigating risks and fostering innovation, in the context of a global race between States for AI supremacy. In this respect, numerous laws, regulatory frameworks and initiatives have been flourishing globally, amongst which the EU AI Act, the G7’s Hiroshima Code of Conduct, various principles set forth by the UN, OECD and UNESCO, the Global Partnership on AI or the recent series of AI Summits. This proliferation of initiatives has led to a crowded and sometimes confusing landscape of global AI governance, while debates are still ongoing about the reality of AI risks and opportunities. More recently, calls for deregulation alongside desires to make AI more inclusive and impactful - particularly in the Global South - have emerged, further complicating the equation. In this context, this course aims to help students navigate this framework, enabling them to understand what AI is, its potential risks and impact, and the various regulatory approaches taken by policymakers, both at domestic level and multilaterally, to shape this technology. Students will develop a critical perspective on the debates surrounding AI governance, AI safety and the proliferation of international AI initiatives. Finally, they will gain practical insights into how decisions are made and international negotiations on AI unfold in dedicated fora (EU, G7, G20, OECD, UNESCO …). There are no prerequisites per se for this course, except a keen interest in digital policymaking and international affairs. It is designed to be taken by any student of the School of Public Affairs.

This course has been designed to be taken by any student of the School of Public Affairs. No pre-requisite is needed for the course per se, except an interest in digital policy and technologies, as well as geopolitics and international affairs.

As the Professor is located in Brussels, 6 sessions will be held in-person at Sciences Po while 6 sessions will be given online (Zoom). Even though it may vary throughout the semester, in principle, every other session will be held either in person or online.

Apart from the presentations/tests, there is no specific individual preparation needed for the sessions, except re-reading the last courses and preparing potential questions. Class participation will be highly appreciated and is important for this course to be as interactive as possible.