Global AI Governance : When AI Becomes a Global Rule, Not Just a Tech Tool

TH

Artificial intelligence is no longer just another technology trend. It is becoming an economic, strategic, and national security issue. As AI capabilities continue to advance, governments around the world are realizing that regulation is struggling to keep pace. This raises an important question: Is it time for the world to establish a common framework for governing AI?

That question was at the center of the first Global Dialogue on AI Governance, held by the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 6–7, 2026. For the first time, governments, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders gathered specifically to discuss how AI should be governed at a global level. The meeting reflected a growing recognition that AI is no longer just a technical issue. It is becoming a matter of economic policy, national security, and international cooperation.

Why the UN believes this matters

According to the United Nations, the world is approaching a critical moment. The longer countries wait to establish shared principles, the harder it will be to reach international agreement. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that without early action, governments and citizens may gradually lose their ability to influence how AI develops, leaving more control in the hands of a small number of companies and countries.

Another major concern discussed during the dialogue was the concentration of AI computing power. Today, approximately 75% of the world's AI computing capacity is located in the United States, while China accounts for another 15%. Together, these two countries control nearly 90% of the infrastructure needed to train and deploy advanced AI systems. . The UN warned that this concentration could widen the gap in AI access and give a small number of countries greater influence over the future of the technology.

The conference also highlighted AI's potential. AI is already accelerating scientific discovery, including research on more than 200 million protein structures that could speed up drug development. At the same time, it introduces new risks, from cyberattacks and AI-powered fraud to misinformation, mental health concerns, and rising energy demand from large-scale data centers. The challenge is no longer whether AI should advance, but how to ensure it does so responsibly.

ITU is also pushing global collaboration

Just days before the UN dialogue, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched the AI for Good Global Commission, bringing together more than 40 organizations to promote trustworthy, inclusive, and accessible AI while helping close the global digital divide. The initiative reflects a broader international effort to build shared principles for AI development, although many governments are still pursuing their own regulatory approaches.

The U.S. is taking a different path

While the UN is encouraging international coordination, the United States has largely focused on supporting innovation while addressing national security risks. Under Executive Order 14409, announced in June 2026, the U.S. government chose a relatively flexible approach that allows companies to continue developing advanced AI systems while encouraging voluntary information sharing between AI developers and the government instead of imposing broad new regulations.

One event that attracted global attention was the suspension of Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 and Claude Mythos 5 due to cybersecurity concerns. Although access to Fable 5 was later restored, the incident highlighted a risk that many organizations had not previously considered. Governments may be able to restrict access to advanced AI systems with little notice, organizations that depend on a single AI provider may have no immediate backup option, and frontier AI models are increasingly being viewed as strategic national assets rather than ordinary software products.

At the same time, several U.S. states have begun introducing their own AI regulations. For example, Washington now requires disclosure when AI is used to modify certain types of content, while New York requires news organizations to disclose AI-generated content and ensure human review before publication. These developments illustrate how AI governance is becoming increasingly decentralized, with different jurisdictions adopting different rules.

Where global AI governance is heading

Taken together, these developments suggest that AI governance is moving in two different directions. One approach focuses on building common international principles that countries can follow together. The other allows individual governments to develop their own regulatory frameworks based on national priorities, intervening mainly when AI creates security or public safety risks.

For organizations operating across multiple countries, this creates a new challenge. As regulations become more diverse, deploying AI internationally will become increasingly complex. Businesses will need to comply with different legal requirements, manage cross-border data carefully, and adapt AI systems to meet local regulations. AI strategy is no longer only about choosing the best model; it is also about preparing for a rapidly changing regulatory environment.

What should organizations in Thailand do now?

These global developments show that AI is no longer just an IT project. It is becoming part of business strategy, risk management, and long-term competitiveness. Organizations that prepare early will be better positioned to adapt as technology and regulations continue to evolve.

There are five practical steps organizations should consider. 

1. Avoid relying on a single AI provider. Geopolitical events, regulatory actions, or service disruptions could suddenly affect access to critical AI tools, making alternative providers or contingency plans increasingly important. 

2. Continue investing in people alongside AI. Technologies will continue to change, but skills such as critical thinking, AI literacy, and human oversight will remain valuable regardless of which models dominate the market.

3. Establish clear internal policies for AI usage. Organizations should define which types of data can be used with AI, where human review is required, and how they will respond if AI services become unavailable. 

4. Continue investing in digital infrastructure. While Thailand may not compete in building frontier AI models, strong data foundations, cloud infrastructure, and computing capabilities will enable businesses to adopt AI more effectively. 

5. Stay engaged with international AI developments. Following global standards and participating in industry discussions can help organizations prepare for future regulatory changes instead of reacting after new rules have already taken effect.

The ability to adapt will become the biggest advantage

The discussions in Geneva made one thing clear: AI is no longer only about technology. It is becoming closely tied to economic policy, national security, and global competition. As governments continue shaping new rules, organizations that remain flexible and adaptable will be better positioned to succeed. 

This is one reason why many organizations are investing in Private LLMs. In addition to enabling secure use of internal data, Private LLMs provide greater control over data management, reduce dependence on a single AI provider, and offer greater flexibility as AI governance requirements continue to evolve.

At Sertis, we help organizations adopt AI securely and responsibly. Our team works with businesses to build strong data foundations, develop Private LLM solutions, and design AI systems that align with security, privacy, and data governance requirements. By building AI on a trusted foundation, organizations can innovate with greater confidence while staying prepared for future technological and regulatory change.