From AI Arms Race to Global Collaboration

Insights from the SXSW 2025 Panel on Global AI Governance

The team at SDGCounting is bullish on using Artificial Intelligence to better track and utilize data related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are also cognizant of the dangers AI can pose. These conflicting realities drew us to the recent SXSW 2025 session entitled The Crisis or Hope of Global AI Governance? featuring Professor Ifeoma Ajunwa (Emory University), Julie Owono (Internet Sans Frontières), and Satwik Mishra (Center for Trustworthy Technology, WEF).

This session is a must-watch for those interested in how emerging AI technologies can be harnessed for the Sustainable Development Goals while ensuring ethical oversight and inclusive progress.

The UN Context of AI Governance

First a bit of context. While the United Nations is the parent host of optimistic events such as the annual AI For Good Conference, mentions of AI within the UN systems is often cautious and focused on regulation. At the global multi-lateral level, AI governance is advancing through initiatives such as the UN High-Level Advisory Body on AI, the Global Digital Compact, and UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. These frameworks aim to set ethical standards, promote inclusivity, and build global capacity for responsible AI, which is essential for effective SDG monitoring and implementation.

As a party interested in both the utilization of AI and the responsible use of the technology, we value conversations such as this one at SXSW to ensure a healthy balance of protection and ambition.

Key Themes from the Discussion

This panel in Austin covered a variety of practical and idealistic concepts, but the following themes emerged as most prevalent:

• Global Collaboration & Governance
  Establishing a unified framework amid diverse national approaches. This theme highlights the need for coherent, cross-border regulations that can support international SDG implementation.
• Innovation and Regulation in Tandem
  Balancing rapid technological breakthroughs with robust oversight. It emphasizes that progress in AI must be coupled with policies that protect public trust and ensure sustainable development.
• Human-Centric, Inclusive AI Development
  Embedding diverse societal inputs throughout the AI lifecycle. This theme advocates for engaging broad stakeholder perspectives to ensure AI systems serve all communities equitably.

Global Collaboration & Governance

“Every country’s priorities will be different… but regardless of where you build your product, it is going to transcend borders. So you can have different regulations, but you need coherent regulations.”
— Satwik Mishra

This theme stresses that despite varying national interests, AI’s borderless nature demands a unified governance framework. The panel discussed how global collaboration is essential not only for creating interoperable monitoring systems but also for ensuring that AI innovations can be effectively scaled to support SDG tracking and reporting across different regions. A coordinated approach helps harmonize standards, reduce regulatory friction, and create shared benefits that transcend individual borders.

Innovation and Regulation in Tandem

“Don’t try to be first, try to be best… when you move fast and break things, trust is lost. Trust is incredibly difficult to build and almost impossible to rebuild once it’s gone.”
— Ifeoma Ajunwa

Here, the panel emphasized the importance of pairing innovation with strong regulatory measures. Rapid AI advancements can drive efficiencies in data collection and analysis for SDG implementation, but without proper safeguards, they risk undermining public trust. The speakers highlighted that a balanced approach is critical: robust oversight not only mitigates risks but also promotes sustainable innovation. By integrating regulatory frameworks into the development process, stakeholders can ensure that AI systems remain reliable and ethically sound.

Human-Centric, Inclusive AI Development

“I don’t advocate for a human in the loop; I advocate for society in the loop. Embed a diverse group of voices from the very inception of AI, ensuring that the technology reflects all the concerns and aspirations of its users.”
— Ifeoma Ajunwa

This theme champions the integration of broad societal perspectives in AI design and deployment. The discussion argued that ensuring diverse representation from the outset — what they termed “society in the loop” — is essential for minimizing biases and achieving equitable outcomes. For SDGCounting’s audience, this approach is particularly significant because it ensures that the AI tools used in tracking and monitoring sustainable development are not only technically robust but also culturally and socially inclusive. Such a model promotes fairness and responsiveness in AI applications across diverse communities.

Conclusion

For readers of SDGCounting, the insights from the SXSW panel provide a critical lens on the future of AI in SDG implementation. Global collaboration, a balanced mix of innovation and regulation, and human-centric development are pivotal in ensuring that AI technologies advance sustainable development goals while safeguarding human rights and promoting inclusivity. These themes offer a roadmap for integrating AI governance with SDG counting and monitoring, ensuring technology truly serves the global public good.

We encourage you to listen to the full session to better understand the essential balance between opportunities and challenges:

The Crisis or Hope of Global AI Governance?

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Note: Generative AI tools were used in the creation of this article to assist with research, summarization, and editing.