A comprehensive guide for legal, policy, and GRC teams navigating the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence governance worldwide.
AI governance worldwide
Understanding regulatory approaches is critical for AI lawyers, policymakers, and GRC professionals aiming to guide companies through compliance and risk management.
The international community has produced several foundational frameworks to promote responsible AI. These frameworks influence national laws and offer guidance for both public and private sectors.
Regulator/Body:
OECD AI Observatory
Requirements:
Encourage fairness, transparency, accountability, human-centric AI
Enforcement:
Voluntary adoption by member and partner countries
Regulator/Body:
UNESCO
Requirements:
Protect human rights, promote fairness, ensure AI transparency
Enforcement:
Voluntary national policy alignment
Regulator/Body:
G7 Leaders' process
Requirements:
Conduct risk analysis, encourage best practices for trustworthy AI
Enforcement:
Political commitment only
Regulator/Body:
Council of Europe
Requirements:
Prohibit harmful AI uses, mandate human rights impact assessments
Enforcement:
Treaty obligations once ratified
Explore how different regions are approaching AI regulation and governance
Multi-layered approach combining federal executive actions, voluntary frameworks, and emerging state-level initiatives
Country: United States
Scope: Federal agencies and AI R&D
Strategic directive focusing on safe and trustworthy AI practices
Country: United States
Scope: Voluntary for developers
Voluntary best practices framework for AI risk management
Country: Canada
Scope: Federal government
Mandatory policy for automated decision systems
Country: Canada
Scope: National, cross-sector
Proposed strategic entity for AI regulation coordination
Leading global effort with the EU AI Act - world's first legally binding AI law creating structured risk-based framework
Country: European Union
Scope: All member states
Comprehensive binding regulation with risk classification and penalties up to 7% of global turnover
Country: Germany
Scope: National innovation and regulation
Federal innovation and regulation strategy for ethical AI development
Country: France
Scope: Public investment and ethical guidelines
Focus on ethical AI, research funding, and European digital sovereignty
Country: United Kingdom
Scope: UK-wide post-Brexit AI vision
Post-Brexit national strategy promoting innovation and responsible governance
Varied approaches from strict mandatory rules to voluntary guidelines, with increasing focus on risk-based regulation
Country: China
Scope: Internet platforms
Binding regulation targeting algorithmic recommendations with audits and penalties
Country: China
Scope: Generative AI providers
Registration and content controls for large language models
Country: Japan
Scope: National advisory
Human-centric vision emphasizing ethical values and voluntary compliance
Country: South Korea
Scope: Civilian sectors
Comprehensive law with high-impact AI registration and transparency requirements
Country: Singapore
Scope: Organizations operating in Singapore
Voluntary best practices promoting transparency and human oversight
Emerging regulatory initiatives gaining momentum with focus on ethical development and economic growth
Country: United Arab Emirates
Scope: Federal coordination
Federal office for national AI and automation strategy coordination
Country: Kenya
Scope: Personal data and AI decisions
Data protection law applicable to AI with automated decision-making provisions
Country: Saudi Arabia
Scope: Infrastructure, ethics, innovation
National strategy for AI development aligned with Vision 2030 goals
Country: South Africa
Scope: National AI governance vision
Comprehensive policy framework balancing innovation with ethical standards
Tracking major milestones provides context for understanding how quickly the global regulatory landscape has evolved
OECD adopts the first intergovernmental AI standards through the OECD AI Principles
The European Commission publishes the Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI
UNESCO member states unanimously adopt the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
United Kingdom launches the National AI Strategy
United States issues Executive Order 14110 on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI
G7 leaders endorse the Hiroshima AI Process Principles
European Parliament passes the final text of the EU AI Act
European Council gives formal approval to the EU AI Act, finalizing the world's first comprehensive AI regulation
EU AI Act officially enters into force, with phased obligations beginning in 2026
South Korea's AI Framework Act comes into effect, marking the first comprehensive AI law in the Asia-Pacific region
Artificial intelligence governance is no longer a theoretical discussion. Organizations must treat AI governance with serious attention and navigate a complex matrix of binding regulations, voluntary frameworks, and sector-specific requirements.
Stay updated on national strategies and enforcement trends to ensure AI deployments are legally compliant
For Policymakers
Build internal processes that reflect risk-based thinking, ethical principles, and regulatory foresight
Monitor rapid AI law development as a permanent responsibility for stakeholders involved in AI governance
Navigate the complex global regulatory landscape with our AI governance platform