Page 78 - The Annual AI Governance Report 2025 Steering the Future of AI

The Annual AI Governance Report 2025: Steering the Future of AI

language models (LLMs) was discussed as a response to both linguistic divides and power
concentration. By training models on African languages and contexts, these initiatives aim to
ensure that AI reflects the continent’s diversity and serves local needs, rather than being a one-
size-fits-all import from abroad. Regional Chapter 3:

Capacity was another priority. Calls were made for investment in skills development, regional
compute centers, and funding mechanisms that would allow African innovators to build AI
solutions tailored to local needs – from agriculture and health to governance and financial
services.

One practical step African countries could take together to boost AI access and innovation
across the continent would be to collaborate across nations to create a single digital market
for AI access, high-power services, data clusters, and de-risking algorithms under proper AI
governance.

Quotes:

• “It's our responsibility in Africa to actually train large language models in our
language otherwise we’ll be basically writing in someone else's future, which is not
ours.” (Lacina Koné, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Smart Africa)
• “We're looking at AI local solutions … Let's customize it, let's make it relevant
to Zimbabwe.” (H.E. Tatenda Annastacia Mavetera, Minister of Information
Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Zimbabwe)

3.3 Asia

Asia presented a diversity of approaches, reflecting the continent’s scale and complexity.
Singapore’s representatives described their balanced innovation model, which combines
careful attention to specific high-risk applications with a light-touch regulatory approach
elsewhere. This allows innovation to flourish while safeguarding public trust in sensitive domains
such as healthcare and finance.

Regional cooperation is also advancing. ASEAN was mentioned as developing shared AI
principles to prevent fragmentation among its member states. This effort demonstrates how
regional bodies can provide coherence while respecting national diversity.

China’s perspective focused on AI for inclusive development, emphasizing people-centered
approaches, open standards, and digital infrastructure as foundations for equitable growth.
Other Asian voices echoed the importance of ensuring that AI is not only a tool for economic
competitiveness but also for social good.

3.4 The Americas

The Americas brought a dual focus: innovation and rights. U.S. representatives highlighted the
risks of authoritarian misuse of AI, particularly in surveillance and information manipulation.
They stressed the need to safeguard democratic values while supporting private-sector
innovation. The emphasis was on building trust through both technical standards and policy
commitments.

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