Global Partnership on AI (GPAI)

Summary

The Global Partnership on AI represents the world's first major attempt at multilateral AI governance cooperation. Launched in 2020 with 15 founding members and now spanning over 25 countries plus the EU, GPAI operates as a policy laboratory where governments, academia, and civil society collaborate to develop practical approaches to AI governance. Unlike binding regulations or technical standards, GPAI functions as a bridge-builder—creating shared understanding and actionable guidance that member countries can adapt to their national contexts.

The Diplomatic Innovation Behind GPAI

GPAI emerged from a recognition that AI governance couldn't be solved by any single country, no matter how technologically advanced. The partnership was born from discussions between France and Canada, who observed that while individual nations were developing AI strategies, there was no forum for systematic collaboration on the thorny governance questions that transcend borders.

What makes GPAI unique is its "multi-stakeholder by design" approach. Rather than being a traditional government-to-government initiative, it deliberately includes academic institutions, civil society organizations, and industry voices in its working groups. This structure acknowledges that effective AI governance requires diverse perspectives, not just diplomatic consensus.

Four Working Groups, Four Different Approaches

GPAI organizes its work through specialized working groups, each tackling AI governance from a different angle:

Responsible AI focuses on translating ethical principles into operational practices. This group produces practical guidance for implementing responsible AI in real-world settings, bridging the gap between high-level principles and day-to-day decision-making.

Data Governance addresses the complex intersection of AI and data policy. Given that AI systems are fundamentally dependent on data, this group explores how data governance frameworks need to evolve to support beneficial AI while protecting privacy and rights.

Future of Work examines AI's impact on employment, skills, and labor markets. Rather than just studying the problem, this group develops policy recommendations for managing AI-driven workforce transitions.

Innovation & Commercialization looks at how governments can foster AI innovation while maintaining appropriate oversight. This includes exploring regulatory sandboxes, public-private partnerships, and other mechanisms for supporting AI development within ethical guardrails.

Who This Resource Is For

Government officials and policymakers developing national AI strategies or participating in international AI governance discussions will find GPAI's collaborative approaches and consensus-building methodologies particularly valuable.

International organization staff working on technology governance, digital policy, or multi-stakeholder initiatives can learn from GPAI's institutional design and operational practices.

Academic researchers and think tank analysts studying AI governance, international cooperation, or technology diplomacy will appreciate GPAI's unique position as a living experiment in multilateral tech governance.

Civil society advocates and industry representatives engaged in AI policy discussions can understand how multi-stakeholder governance works in practice and how different voices contribute to international AI policy development.

What GPAI Actually Produces

GPAI's outputs are deliberately practical rather than aspirational. The partnership publishes policy guidance documents, case studies, and toolkits that member countries use to inform their national AI governance approaches. These aren't binding commitments but rather shared resources that help governments avoid reinventing the wheel.

The partnership also facilitates knowledge exchange through expert networks, allowing practitioners working on similar AI governance challenges in different countries to learn from each other's experiences. This peer-to-peer learning often proves more valuable than formal reports.

Perhaps most importantly, GPAI serves as a forum for developing shared vocabulary and frameworks around AI governance. When countries use similar conceptual approaches—even if their specific policies differ—it enables better coordination and reduces the risk of fragmented global governance.

Limitations and Realistic Expectations

GPAI is explicitly not a regulatory body and cannot create binding international law. Countries participate voluntarily and implement recommendations according to their own priorities and legal frameworks. This means GPAI's influence depends entirely on the relevance and quality of its work, not any enforcement mechanism.

The partnership also reflects the perspectives of its membership, which, while diverse, doesn't include every major AI-developing nation. This limits its claim to represent truly global consensus on AI governance approaches.

Additionally, GPAI operates on diplomatic timescales in a field that moves at technology speeds. While the partnership has produced substantial work since 2020, some observers argue it needs to move faster to keep pace with AI development.