International Governance in the Digital Era & Artificial Intelligence

13. International Governance in the Digital Era & Artificial Intelligence

13.1 Lecture 1: Introduction to International Governance & AI

• Understand how digital interconnectivity shapes global governance systems.
• Identify the roles of national, regional, and international actors in AI regulation.
• Explain the United Nations’ role as a neutral global governance platform.
• Recognize the UN’s historical contribution to global norms, peace, and development.

13.2 Lecture 2: The Role of the United Nations

• Understand the structure and global mandate of the United Nations.
• Analyze the UN’s achievements in peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and development.
• Recognize the UN’s global implementation capacity across member states.
• Evaluate the role of multilateralism in digital and AI governance.

13.3 Lecture 3: Global Challenges & the Crisis of Multilateralism

• Recognize the global system as VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous).
• Understand the impact of systemic shocks such as pandemics, wars, and climate crises.
• Analyze how geopolitical fragmentation weakens multilateral cooperation.
• Assess the increasing urgency of global coordination in AI governance.

13.4 Lecture 4: SDGs & AI for Good

• Understand the evolution from MDGs to SDGs as a global development framework.
• Analyze how AI supports progress across health, education, and climate action.
• Evaluate the concept of a “missing 18th SDG” focused on digital governance and ethics.
• Recognize the SDGs as a guiding framework for ethical AI deployment.

13.5 Lecture 5: AI Applications for the SDGs

• Define AI and distinguish between narrow and general-purpose AI.
• Explore AI applications in education, healthcare, agriculture, and energy systems.
• Examine real-world AI use cases in disaster response and public health.
• Assess AI’s potential to accelerate SDG achievement globally.

13.6 Lecture 6: AI Risks, Ethics & Governance Gaps

• Identify risks such as misinformation, bias, cyberattacks, and surveillance misuse.
• Understand challenges caused by the rapid pace of AI development outpacing regulation.
• Evaluate the need for coordinated global governance to prevent inequality and power concentration.