What Will Artificial Intelligence Mean for the Global South, and How Do We Address It?

With the advent of general artificial intelligence, a large amount of research and public debate is focusing on the implications of advanced AI on societies, and discussing solutions to the social and economic disruptions that AI might engender. However, most of this research is done in, by, and for the Global North, and carries implicit assumptions about characteristics of states that are common in the Global North but not ubiquitous in the Global South, such as robust regulatory frameworks, strong democratic institutions, high GDP per capita, and relatively strong welfare systems. Some suggestions, such as universal basic incomes, may be feasible in the Global North but fiscally and structurally non-viable for most Global South states. Thus, we risk deploying advanced systems without locally functional steering mechanisms. This session calls for researchers to (1) discuss the societal implications of advanced artificial intelligence for Global South Societies (both in the near and far future) and/or (2) advance solutions regarding AI that ensure true safety and good lives for the Global Majority.