The Future of Open AI: East Meets West in the Battle for Standards
AI is advancing rapidly across economics, politics, journalism, and tech. This growth is unprecedented – and government regulations are scrambling to keep up.
While AI is a useful advancement, it’s not without its risks. It comes with serious regulatory requirements for security and governance, which often differ by region.
If government organizations don’t implement AI standards around privacy, security, and transparency, this sophisticated technology could reinforce harmful bias and compromise the safety of its users.
Combine this with the intricate nuances of local political, economic, and social climates, and we can see why standardizing the use of Open AI worldwide is such a complex question.
East Meets West: How Are Different Regions Regulating AI?
All countries have a different approach to AI governance. If you want to implement effective AI systems into your tech business, you’ll need to understand these regulations and comply with the rules in your jurisdiction.
In recent years, we’ve seen a shift from voluntary ethical principles to clearly enforced laws, with organizations like the EU setting down “hard laws” for AI use.
Cultural and local perspectives play a huge role in the future of responsible regulation. This gets down to the very core of how AI is viewed, regulated, and governed worldwide. Every region – from East to West – has its regulations.
Let’s take a closer look at how different countries are regulating AI. What role do cultural, legal, and political norms play in shaping the next generation of responsible AI?
United States
The US is taking a pro-innovation stance on AI. Executive Order 14179, issued in January 2025, revoked the 2023 Executive Order 1410 on “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence” to remove obstacles to AI innovation.
In the US, attitudes toward global dominance in sectors like national security drive how the government responds to AI risks. This shows the great impact of cultural norms on the global battle for AI standards. Where attitudes differ, AI regulations are likely to differ as well.
A 2024 Pew Research Center report found that AI experts and the general public worry that the US government won’t do enough to regulate AI. 56% of experts are concerned about a lack of proper regulation.
However, the 2022 “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights”, released by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), attempts to outline responsible AI practices. This isn’t law, but it includes principles such as data privacy guidance to support ethical AI practices.
China
China is known for its rigid laws around online engagement and development – and AI is no exception. The government imposes strict censorship guidelines for Chinese AI models, so users can’t access information about opposing political ideologies, for example.
China’s 2023 “Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services” applies to all organizations – both global and regional – that provide generative AI services to the Chinese public.
China’s AI regulations cover key elements like data use and content moderation. AI providers will also need to ensure their services align with socialist values, again indicating the political ramifications of global AI policy.
European Union
In 2024, the EU AI Act created the most comprehensive and detailed framework for AI use and regulation to date. The law aims to ensure the ethical use of AI within the EU, helping institutions effectively monitor their AI systems.
Organizations will be required to fully comply with the EU AI Act by 2030, with staggered deadlines for each stage of implementation. If your AI systems affect EU citizens, the AI Act applies, even if your company is based outside Europe.
The EU AI Act is arguably more stringent than US regulatory policy, as the US government aims to balance its pro-innovation stance with state-level laws, rather than federal ones. These differences reflect the varying attitudes and priorities across jurisdictions.
The Next Generation of Responsible AI: Collaborative Governance
Currently, each region sets its own regulatory policies, but collaborative governance is the future. We need worldwide organizations to come together to manage the growth, use, and application of AI.
Global organizations and government systems need to collaborate on a universal definition of ethical AI. They need to implement unified regulations that give clear guidance to users in all regions.
It’s not enough for governments to pass individual local laws. They need to consult and collaborate with the people who really know the tech. AI developers, stakeholders, government policy makers, and CEOs all need to work together to create a framework for the next generation of responsible AI.
AI International Initiatives
Some institutions are already recognizing the importance of global AI initiatives. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) adopted its “Recommendation on Artificial Intelligence” in 2019, with updates in 2023 and 2024.
This is an intergovernmental standard that encourages the ethical use of AI. It sets out key principles to ensure AI is used responsibly worldwide, including advice around safety, accountability, and inclusion.
Organizations like Meta and IBM also founded the AI Alliance to support the use of trustworthy AI. This includes the roadmap for “Responsible and Strategic Open-Source AI Innovation in Europe and Beyond” to promote strategic AI growth.
The Future of AI Regulation: Key Takeaways For Tech Organizations
AI governance isn’t simple. If you intend to use AI in your organization, you’ll need to research national and international government policies to ensure you comply with the law. These rules are likely to change as quickly as the technology does.
AI regulatory policies have a knock-on effect on everything – from managing workflows to keeping customer data safe. It could be catastrophic if you don’t understand the ins and outs of international AI law.
One thing is clear: the rules around AI regulation are changing. With great innovation comes great responsibility, and widespread global trends will usher us into the next generation of ethical AI regulation.
For all the latest in AI markets, standards, and development, check out The Prime View.