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2025 U. Ill. L. Rev. Online 1 (2025)

handle is hein.journals/uilro2025 and id is 1 raw text is: GLOBAL MINDS, LOCAL GOVERNANCE: Al IN INTERNATIONAL LAW Cheng-chi (Kirin) Chang* This essay explores the evolving landscape of international AI governance, arguing for a new comprehensive approach to address the complex legal, ethical, and geopolitical challenges posed by artificial intelligence. The rapid integration of AI into global systems challenges traditional legal frameworks, especially regarding state sovereignty and regulatory authority. The essay contends that the current patchwork of regulations is inadequate to address Al's global nature and proposes a multi-tiered framework fostering international cooperation on core governance issues while allowing flexibility for national adaptation. The essay examines Al's far-reaching implications across economic, social, and geopolitical dimensions, highlighting both its potential as a driver of innovation and the risks it presents, from algorithmic bias to threats to privacy. It analyzes the current international legal landscape, including soft law instruments, emerging regional regulations, and ongoing discussions within international organizations. The proposed governance framework aims to balance the needfor global coordination with respect for national sovereignty, recognizing that certain AI applications require sector-specific governance tailored to regional contexts. By advocatingfor this nuanced approach, the essay contributes to the ongoing discourse on navigating Al's challenges and opportunities within the international legal order. It emphasizes the urgency of developing cohesive legal solutions to address Al's impact on economic power, human rights, and the foundational principles of sovereignty in the digital age. . Cheng-chi (Kirin) Chang (MiLg) is the Associate Director & Academic Fellow, Al and the Future of Work Program at Emory University School of Law. I extend my appreciation to Dr. Ifeoma Ajunwa, J.D., LL.M., Ph.D., Yinn-ching Lu, Rachel Cohen, Yilin (Jenny) Lu, Nanfeng Li, Yenpo Tseng, Jeffrey Chang, Wolf (Chun-Ting) Cho, Zih-Ting You, Youyang Zhong, Ssu-Yuan (Iris) Yang, Ya-jou Liu, Arron Fang, Edison Li, Shijie Xu, and Yizhang (Yilia) Shen, as well as the esteemed scholars who participated in The Inaugural Emory Global AI and Law Colloquium, including but not limited to Gabriela Arriagada-Bruneau, Anupam Chander, Colleen Chien, Ignacio Cofone, Jake Okechukwu Effoduh, Nikolas Guggenberger, Vivek Krishnamurthy, Ernest Lim, Paul Ohm, Catherine Sharkey, Katherine Strandburg, and Angela Zhang, for their valuable insights and contributions. Their expertise and engagement have significantly enriched this work and broader discussions in the field. Additionally, I appreciate Eli Goldstein, Michael Cerota, and the other editors of the University of Illinois Law Review for their diligent efforts in bringing this article to publication. Any errors or oversights are my sole responsibility. The views expressed in this article are solely my own and do not represent those of any affiliated institutions. 1

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