Design Thinking Lab

As someone from Burundi, I strongly believe the success of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance should be measured not only by the quality of discussions, but by its ability to drive concrete, inclusive, and lasting impact. A key outcome would be the meaningful inclusion of underrepresented regions, particularly the Global South. As someone from Burundi, I believe the dialogue must amplify voices that are often excluded, ensuring that AI governance reflects diverse social, economic, and cultural realities.

• AI capacity-building
• Social, economic, ethical, cultural, linguistic and technical implications of AI
• Transparency, accountability, and human oversight
• Protection and promotion of human rights

I chose the social, economic, ethical, cultural, linguistic, and technical implications of AI because AI does not operate in isolation. Its impacts vary across societies, and it is important to consider local contexts, including language diversity and cultural realities, to avoid reinforcing existing inequalities.

the environmental impact of AI is an important issue. The energy consumption of large scale AI systems raises sustainability concerns, which are particularly relevant for countries already vulnerable to climate change.

In Burundi and across many parts of Africa, existing gaps in AI governance are already having both significant challenges and emerging opportunities. One of the most pressing challenges is limited AI capacity and infrastructure. Many institutions lack the technical expertise, data systems, and digital infrastructure needed to develop or effectively regulate AI technologies. This creates a risk of dependency on external technologies that may not fully reflect local needs or priorities.

the AI Dialogue has the potential to move beyond discussion and become a catalyst for coordinated, inclusive, and effective global action on AI governance.

The AI Dialogue should build upon existing initiatives such as the work of UNESCO on AI ethics, the policy frameworks of the OECD, the multistakeholder efforts of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, and regional perspectives from the African Union. By connecting and complementing these initiatives, the AI Dialogue can help reduce fragmentation in global AI governance. Its added value lies in providing an inclusive platform that brings together diverse stakeholders, especially from underrepresented regions, to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and translate existing principles into practical, context-sensitive actions. This would strengthen coordination and support more coherent and equitable global AI governance.

Different stakeholders can contribute to the AI Dialogue by bringing their unique perspectives, expertise, and responsibilities to ensure a truly inclusive and balanced global discussion. Governments can provide policy direction and regulatory insights, while the private sector can share technological expertise and practical implementation experience. Academia and researchers can contribute evidence-based analysis, and civil society can represent societal needs, ethical considerations, and public interest. Participation from youth and underrepresented regions is also essential to ensure diversity of perspectives.

Several voices and communities remain underrepresented in global discussions on AI governance, particularly those from the Global South, including African countries, small island developing states, and least developed countries. These regions often face structural barriers such as limited access to technology, fewer resources, and reduced participation in international forums. As a result, their specific needs and contexts are not always adequately reflected in global AI policies. The AI Dialogue should adopt inclusive participation mechanisms, such as targeted outreach, financial and logistical support for participants from underrepresented regions, and hybrid or virtual engagement options to lower barriers to entry. Ensuring balanced regional representation in panels and working groups is also essential.

To foster meaningful and dynamic engagement, the AI Dialogue should adopt innovative, interactive, and inclusive formats that go beyond traditional panel discussions. Combining interactive, inclusive, and accessible formats would enhance participation, encourage collaboration, and lead to more practical and impactful outcomes for global AI governance.

Frameworks such as the AI ethics guidelines developed by UNESCO and the OECD AI Principles adopted by the OECD provide widely recognized standards on transparency, accountability, fairness, and human rights. These frameworks help guide national strategies and regulatory efforts. Multistakeholder initiatives such as the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence demonstrate the value of collaboration between governments, industry, and civil society in addressing complex AI governance issues. At the regional level, the African Union has taken steps toward developing a continental AI strategy, which reflects the importance of aligning AI governance with regional development priorities and contexts.