World Beyond War

The first Global Dialogue on AI Governance will be a success if it establishes inclusive, transparent, and actionable frameworks that guide the ethical development and deployment of artificial intelligence at national, regional, and global levels. Success should be measured by the extent to which the Dialogue produces concrete recommendations that foster international cooperation, address risks such as bias, misuse, and inequitable access, and promote accountability among governments, private sector actors, and civil society. Another key outcome would be the creation of mechanisms for ongoing stakeholder engagement, ensuring that voices from civil society, academia, and the technical community especially from underrepresented regions like Africa are consistently included in policy discussions. This inclusivity is critical to ensure that AI governance frameworks reflect diverse perspectives and serve the global public interest. Finally, success would involve capacity-building initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms that equip all stakeholders, including governments and civil society organizations, to understand and manage AI's societal implications, particularly regarding human rights, security, and economic equity. In sum, the Dialogue should not only produce high-level principles but also practical, actionable guidance that enables effective implementation, fosters trust between stakeholders, and strengthens international collaboration to ensure AI contributes positively to society, peace, and sustainable developmen

• Safe, secure and trustworthy AI
• AI capacity-building
• Protection and promotion of human rights
• Transparency, accountability, and human oversight

Our selection reflects our priorities as a civil society organization focused on peace, security, and responsible governance. Safe, secure and trustworthy AI: Ensuring that AI systems are secure and reliable is critical to prevent misuse that could exacerbate conflicts, threaten human security, or undermine societal stability. This aligns with our mission to promote a safer, peaceful, and equitable global environment. AI capacity-building: Strengthening the knowledge and skills of all stakeholders, particularly in underrepresented regions like Africa, is essential for equitable participation in AI governance. Capacity-building enables governments, civil society, and technical communities to understand AI's risks and benefits and act responsibly. Protection and promotion of human rights: AI technologies must respect fundamental rights and freedoms. Prioritizing human rights ensures that AI deployment does not amplify inequalities, discrimination, or violations, and it guarantees that AI contributes positively to society. Transparency, accountability, and human oversight: To maintain trust and legitimacy in AI systems, transparent processes, accountability mechanisms, and meaningful human oversight are essential. These principles are crucial for responsible governance, enabling stakeholders to monitor and mitigate potential harms effectively. In sum, our priorities emphasize the need for responsible, ethical, and inclusive AI governance, grounded in security, human rights, and capacity-building. We believe these areas are urgent for active engagement, as they provide the foundation for AI systems that are safe, equitable, and aligned with global peace and development goals.

Yes, several cross-cutting and emerging issues should be considered to complement the thematic areas identified. A. AI and conflict prevention: AI technologies have significant implications for peace and security, including early warning systems for conflicts and misinformation management. Integrating AI in conflict prevention strategies can help mitigate risks before they escalate, a dimension not fully captured in the existing themes. b. Regional disparities in AI access and governance: Unequal access to AI technologies and governance expertise, particularly in underrepresented regions such as Africa, may exacerbate existing inequalities. Addressing these disparities through inclusive frameworks and support mechanisms is crucial to ensure global fairness and cooperation. C. Environmental and sustainability considerations: The environmental impact of AI, including energy consumption and electronic waste, is emerging as a critical issue. Sustainable AI development should be prioritized to align technology governance with global climate and sustainability goals. D. Intersection with peace, human rights, and security: AI's societal impact often intersects multiple areas simultaneously, such as human rights, governance, security, and ethical considerations. Holistic approaches are needed to ensure policies are coordinated and effective across these interdependent domains. In conclusion, these cross-cutting issues emphasize the need for integrated, inclusive, and forward-looking approaches to AI governance. Recognizing emerging challenges in conflict prevention, equitable access, sustainability, and multidimensional societal impacts will enhance the relevance, effectiveness, and legitimacy of global AI governance frameworks.

In Africa, governance gaps in AI pose both significant challenges and opportunities. Challenges: Limited regulatory frameworks: Many countries in the region lack comprehensive AI policies, leading to risks of misuse, biased algorithms, and weak oversight. Capacity gaps: There is a shortage of technical expertise and understanding of AI among governments, civil society, and local institutions, which hampers informed decision-making and responsible adoption. Equity and inclusion issues: Unequal access to AI technologies and data exacerbates existing social and economic inequalities, limiting the benefits of AI for marginalized communities. Transparency and accountability: Weak mechanisms to ensure responsible AI use increase the potential for ethical violations, discrimination, and misuse in areas such as security, governance, and public services. Opportunities: Peace and security applications: AI can support early warning systems, conflict prevention, and humanitarian interventions, enhancing regional stability. Capacity-building initiatives: Investments in training programs, public awareness campaigns, and collaborative platforms can empower stakeholders to manage AI responsibly. Regional cooperation: Developing shared governance frameworks and standards through regional bodies like ECOWAS can foster cross-border collaboration, trust, and harmonization in AI governance. Promoting inclusive innovation: With proper policies, AI offers opportunities to accelerate sustainable development, improve public services, and empower civil society to participate in decision-making processes. In conclusion, while governance gaps in safe, ethical, and inclusive AI use present significant risks, they also provide a strategic opportunity to build robust frameworks, strengthen capacities, and foster collaboration that aligns AI development with peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development goals in Africa.

The AI Dialogue can serve as a central platform for fostering international cooperation, enabling governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to collaborate on developing responsible and inclusive AI governance frameworks. By convening diverse stakeholders, the Dialogue provides an opportunity to share best practices, lessons learned, and harmonized approaches, reducing fragmentation and promoting mutual understanding across regions. It can also help bridge capacity gaps by identifying knowledge-sharing initiatives, supporting technical assistance, and facilitating joint research and training programs, particularly for underrepresented regions such as Africa. This inclusive approach ensures that all stakeholders, regardless of technical expertise or resources, can actively contribute to shaping AI governance policies. Moreover, the Dialogue can strengthen global trust and accountability by promoting transparency, ethical standards, and human rights-based approaches to AI deployment. By establishing a continuous mechanism for discussion, review, and monitoring, it can ensure that AI technologies are aligned with peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development objectives.

The AI Dialogue should build upon existing initiatives and partnerships such as UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, the OECD AI Principles, regional AI strategies in Africa (e.g., African Union's Digital Transformation Strategy), and multi-stakeholder collaborations like the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI). These frameworks provide valuable guidance on ethical principles, human rights, transparency, and inclusive AI development. The added value of the AI Dialogue lies in its ability to convene a truly global and inclusive platform, connecting stakeholders who may not engage regularly in AI governance discussions, particularly civil society organizations, academia, and technical communities from underrepresented regions. By fostering direct dialogue between governments, private sector actors, and international organizations, the Dialogue can translate high-level principles into practical, actionable recommendations that can be implemented globally. Additionally, the Dialogue can facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity-building, enabling countries and organizations to adapt international standards to their local contexts while addressing emerging issues such as AI in conflict prevention, security applications, and ethical dilemmas in data governance. Finally, the AI Dialogue offers a unique opportunity to coordinate and align existing efforts, reduce duplication, and identify synergies among initiatives. By doing so, it can strengthen international cooperation, build trust across stakeholders, and accelerate the development of robust, accountable, and human-centered AI governance frameworks that promote peace, security, and sustainable development globally.

Different stakeholders can contribute to the AI Dialogue by bringing their unique expertise, experiences, and perspectives. Governments can provide insights into regulatory challenges and policy implementation, while the private sector can share technological innovations, operational constraints, and best practices. Civil society organizations contribute by highlighting societal needs, human rights considerations, and community perspectives, ensuring that AI governance remains people-centered. Academia and research institutions can offer evidence-based analysis, ethical frameworks, and scenario modeling, while technical communities provide expertise on algorithmic design, cybersecurity, and standards. To maximize impact, the Dialogue should adopt a multi-layered and inclusive structure. Suggested formats include: Plenary sessions for high-level discussions and consensus-building on principles and priorities. Breakout workshops organized around thematic areas, enabling stakeholders to exchange experiences, identify gaps, and co-develop actionable recommendations. Interactive panels and Q&A sessions to ensure diverse voices, including underrepresented regions, can engage directly with decision-makers. Virtual and hybrid participation mechanisms to allow broader access, particularly for participants from regions with limited resources or travel constraints. Continuous engagement platforms such as online repositories, collaborative workspaces, and follow-up meetings to maintain momentum between in-person dialogues. By combining these formats, the Dialogue can foster inclusive, dynamic, and actionable discussions, ensuring that all stakeholders meaningfully contribute to shaping ethical, accountable, and globally relevant AI governance frameworks.

Voices from civil society, underrepresented regions (especially Africa, Latin America, and small island states), youth, and marginalized communities are often underrepresented in global AI governance discussions. Additionally, perspectives from ethical, humanitarian, and peace-focused organizations are frequently overlooked, despite their relevance to AI's societal impact. To include these perspectives, the AI Dialogue could: Establish dedicated seats or quotas for civil society organizations, community representatives, and participants from underrepresented regions. Implement scholarships, travel grants, and virtual participation options to remove financial and logistical barriers. Promote multilingual platforms to ensure non-English speakers can fully participate. Incorporate structured consultation processes, such as surveys, focus groups, and regional workshops, to gather insights from local communities before the main Dialogue sessions. Engage youth networks and grassroots initiatives as contributors to panels and workshops, ensuring emerging voices inform policy discussions. These measures would ensure that AI governance frameworks are inclusive, equitable, and informed by diverse lived experiences, which is essential for building trust, legitimacy, and effectiveness in global AI policy-making.

Innovative engagement formats can enhance participation, collaboration, and impact during the AI Dialogue. Effective formats include: Interactive hackathons or policy labs, where stakeholders collaboratively design solutions to specific governance challenges. Scenario-based simulations, allowing participants to explore the ethical, social, and security implications of AI decisions in real-world contexts. Roundtables with multi-stakeholder representation, enabling civil society, governments, academia, and technical communities to discuss pressing issues in smaller, focused groups. Virtual collaboration tools, such as shared workspaces, forums, and live polls, to engage remote participants and encourage continuous dialogue. Community storytelling and case-study sessions, highlighting the real-life impacts of AI on marginalized populations, ensuring discussions remain grounded in societal realities. Gamified engagement platforms, incentivizing participation through interactive challenges, quizzes, or collaborative problem-solving exercises. By combining these approaches, the Dialogue can create a dynamic, participatory, and inclusive environment that fosters meaningful contributions, encourages knowledge exchange, and generates actionable outcomes. These innovative formats ensure that discussions are not only high-level but also practically informed, bridging the gap between policy, technology, and societal needs.

Effective AI governance requires a combination of policies, practices, platforms, and collaborative approaches that ensure ethical, accountable, and inclusive use of AI. 1. Policies and regulations: The OECD AI Principles provide guidelines on fairness, transparency, accountability, and human-centered design. UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI establishes global norms for ethical AI deployment, including human rights protection and inclusive participation. 2. Practices: AI auditing and impact assessments help organizations evaluate algorithms for bias, security risks, and societal impact before deployment. Stakeholder consultation mechanisms integrate community feedback into AI development and policy-making, ensuring that marginalized populations are considered. 3. Platforms: Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) fosters international collaboration among governments, academia, and civil society to share best practices, conduct research, and develop responsible AI solutions. Open-source AI frameworks and repositories increase transparency and allow communities worldwide to adapt and monitor AI systems. 4. Approaches: Capacity-building initiatives, including training programs and knowledge-sharing platforms, empower underrepresented regions and civil society organizations to engage effectively in AI governance. Multi-stakeholder and regional cooperation frameworks, such as ECOWAS digital policy initiatives, encourage harmonized standards, cross-border collaboration, and inclusive participation. These examples demonstrate that effective AI governance is not only about regulations, but also about practical mechanisms for transparency, accountability, capacity-building, and collaboration. They provide concrete solutions for mitigating risks, promoting equitable access, and ensuring that AI technologies contribute positively to peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development globally.