Policy Brief

Inclusive AI Governance: How the G20's Agenda Shifted Toward Development and Equity

Since 2019, the G20 has shifted its focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) from general ethical debates to practical governance frameworks, treating AI as a key economic asset. The G20 acknowledges AI's impact on development, security, and digital sovereignty, but implementing effective governance, especially in developing countries, remains difficult. Differences in regulations, unequal access to computing resources and data, algorithmic bias, and limited oversight could widen the technology gap. This makes it essential for G20 AI governance to focus on global fairness.

The G20 first addressed AI governance at the 2019 Osaka Summit by adopting the G20 AI Principles, which focused on trustworthy and inclusive AI. Later presidencies moved from focusing mainly on transparency and ethics to highlighting AI's role in pandemic response, healthcare, and digital services (Saudi Arabia, 2020); digital transformation and workforce changes (Italy, 2021); digital inclusion for developing countries (Indonesia, 2022); generative AI and governance (India, 2023); social inclusion and digital fairness (Brazil, 2024); and building capacity and fair access for the Global South (South Africa, 2025).

As the G20's focus changed over time, it has the potential to become a pioneer in AI governance discussions. Unlike smaller tech groups, the G20 includes advanced, emerging, and developing economies, so its debates span development, inequality, finance, infrastructure, and trade. The G20 now sees AI as a governance issue that needs coordination across regulations, economic policies, cybersecurity, and development plans. There is also a growing understanding that AI governance should not be limited to just a few advanced countries. More G20 members now support frameworks that promote compatibility, responsible innovation, and wider access to technology.

The rise of generative AI after 2022 marked a key shift in G20 discussions. These new technologies raised concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, data privacy, intellectual property, cybersecurity risks, and job loss. In response, the G20 began to focus more on balancing innovation with safety measures. Several presidencies highlighted the need for guardrails for high-risk AI but also warned against too much regulation that could slow innovation and digital growth. The debate shifted from whether to regulate AI to how to create flexible, inclusive, and adaptable governance across countries.

India addressed these issues by supporting a development-focused approach to AI governance. In 2023, when India presided over G20, it promoted the use of AI to support financial inclusion, healthcare, modern farming, and education. The "AI for All" idea promoted that AI should help developing countries, not just advanced ones. At the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit in New Delhi in December 2023, the New Delhi Declaration highlighted both the opportunities and risks of AI, including misinformation, algorithmic bias, and unequal access. The declaration called for fair access to technology for developing economies.

India's focus on development influenced the G20 framework, which began to reflect the priorities of the Global South. The African Union's joining the G20 as a permanent member marked a move toward more inclusive, development-focused AI governance. AI was seen not only as a business tool but also to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, such as reducing poverty, improving healthcare, ensuring food security, and promoting digital inclusion. This change showed the G20 connecting technology policy with social justice and economic opportunity.

With the U.S. leading the G20 in 2026, AI will remain central, along with digital trade and cybersecurity. The U.S. may push innovation and less regulation. Emerging economies must ensure these strategies don't create controls or wider tech gaps. The discussions will be shaped by U.S.-China competition, which will affect AI governance standards.

The G20's success will rely on balancing innovation with inclusive governance, keeping it at the heart of the global AI agenda. Instead of strict rules, the G20 now aims for flexible frameworks based on shared values and risk management. It should focus on how more developing countries can participate in the digital economy.

The changes in the discussions on AI at the G20 from 2019 to 2025 show that AI governance is now a key part of global economic strategy, not just a technical issue. The biggest challenge is to share AI's benefits fairly and reduce risks. For the Global South, the G20 is an important venue to push for access, inclusion, and the development of skills for future AI standards.