Research Paper

Decolonizing Global AI Governance: Multilateralism and Emerging Economies

Investigating structural barriers to Global South participation in international standard-setting bodies and proposing reform pathways for inclusive multilateral governance.
Nafiul Ahmad RafiNovember 10, 2025Field Field
DOI10.1234/atlas.2025.1110
InstitutionAtlas AI Institute
Pages36

Nafiul Ahmad Rafi

Founding Director of the Atlas AI Institute. Research focuses on mapping and shaping AI governance architectures for developing nations and the Global South. Research Affiliate at the AI Policy Lab, Umeå University.

Abstract

International standard-setting in AI is dominated by a small cohort of technologically advanced nations. This article maps the participation of developing economy delegations in major standard-setting bodies (ISO, ITU, IEEE) between 2020 and 2025, revealing systemic barriers and proposing concrete reforms to democratize technology governance.