Martin Wählisch: Global AI Governance Must Shift from 'AI for Good' to 'AI for All'
A new analysis argues that philanthropic AI projects are insufficient without a structural shift toward inclusive governance to prevent a widening global capability gap.
The current framework for ethical artificial intelligence is failing to address systemic inequality, according to a new analysis by Geneva Solutions. The argument posits that the industry must move beyond the concept of "AI for Good" to ensure the technology is inclusive and accessible to all populations.
In a piece published by Geneva Solutions, Martin Wählisch, an associate professor of international relations at the University of Birmingham, argues that focusing solely on beneficial applications—the hallmark of the "AI for Good" movement—is an incomplete strategy. Wählisch contends that the goal must shift toward "AI for All," a model that prioritizes inclusive governance and prevents a widening capability gap between developed and developing nations.
The Infrastructure Gap
The distinction between "good" and "all" centers on power and infrastructure. While "AI for Good" often manifests as philanthropic projects or specific beneficial tools, "AI for All" requires that developing countries possess the actual infrastructure and political voice to develop AI on their own terms. Without this structural support, Wählisch suggests that the benefits of AI will remain concentrated among a small number of powerful governments and private corporations, effectively deepening the digital divide.
Why Governance Matters
This shift is critical because the current trajectory of AI deployment risks creating a new form of global dependency. If the underlying capabilities of AI are controlled by a few elite entities, the rest of the world becomes a mere consumer of technology designed for other contexts. By emphasizing inclusive governance, the "AI for All" approach seeks to democratize the creation and regulation of these systems, ensuring that marginalized groups are not just recipients of "good" AI, but active participants in its evolution.
The Road to Geneva
Looking ahead, Wählisch identifies the 2027 global AI summit in Geneva as a pivotal moment for the industry. He argues that the summit should serve as the primary forum to establish mechanisms that share AI benefits globally. The objective is to move from voluntary philanthropic gestures to a formalized global agreement that ensures AI does not become a tool for further geopolitical and economic stratification. By establishing these frameworks, the international community can ensure that the evolution of artificial intelligence serves as a bridge rather than a barrier to global equity.