2026 is shaping up as a critical year for global AI governance, as artificial intelligence evolves at a pace that challenges existing international frameworks. The Global Digital Compact negotiations offer important lessons in translating technical complexity into political consensus, highlighting the need for multilateral cooperation and shared understandings to guide AI development responsibly. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that no single country can fully comprehend or govern AI alone, and stressed the importance of global collaboration to build safeguards, foster innovation, and ensure inclusive benefits.
The UN is taking a new approach to AI diplomacy, establishing mechanisms such as the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance. These initiatives aim to combine scientific evidence with political dialogue to create credible, inclusive governance models. The Compact builds on prior UN frameworks, including the 2020 Roadmap for Digital Cooperation and Our Common Agenda, pushing AI governance into the center of multilateral diplomacy and encouraging Member States to consider the global implications of the technology.
The negotiations demonstrated that consensus on AI governance is possible, even in a complex geopolitical environment. Informal, multistakeholder engagement—bringing together diplomats, technical experts, civil society, private sector actors, and UN entities—was essential to building shared understanding. These preparatory dialogues allowed participants, many new to AI governance, to explore technical challenges, real-world applications, and potential trade-offs without political risk, providing a foundation for agreement on broader governance principles.
The Compact also highlighted the UN’s unique role in ensuring global legitimacy for AI governance. By providing a platform where all Member States can participate, the UN helps prevent a governance landscape dominated by a few powerful countries or corporations. Inclusive participation ensures that AI standards and policies reflect diverse needs and perspectives, particularly from the Global South, while allowing multiple actors to maintain complementary roles. The UN’s function is to connect, harmonize, and accelerate cooperative efforts across different jurisdictions and sectors.
Finally, the negotiations underscored the importance of interoperability and coherent standards. Diverse assumptions and capacities among Member States create risks of fragmented AI governance, with incompatible rules, safety standards, and accountability mechanisms. Without harmonization, this fragmentation could exacerbate inequalities, weaken oversight, and increase security risks. Ensuring that AI systems, regulations, and evaluation frameworks work together coherently is therefore essential for effective global governance.
Looking ahead, the success of multilateral AI governance depends on the UN’s ability to deliver meaningful outcomes through the Scientific Panel and the Global Dialogue. Convening countries is only the first step; the UN must clarify standards, connect different efforts, and accelerate cooperation to manage AI responsibly. The Compact demonstrates that a coherent, inclusive, and actionable approach to AI governance is possible, but the speed of technological change makes swift and decisive implementation critical.
