Who Sets the Global Code? AI, Power, & the New World Order

About

As artificial intelligence reshapes economies, geopolitics and everyday life, a central question has emerged: who gets to decide how AI is built, deployed and governed?

This talk explores the rapidly evolving landscape of global AI governance at a moment when technology is advancing faster than institutions can adapt. From the race to develop frontier models to the rise of autonomous decision-making in public and private sectors, AI now crosses borders more easily than laws do.

The talk examines competing visions of AI governance emerging around the world, and how governments, companies, civil society, standards bodies and international organisations are shaping the rules of the game.

What happens when national rules collide, and can any system keep pace with models developed and deployed across borders? Who carries responsibility when automated systems shape decisions at scale?

The talk invites audiences to consider how we ensure the “global code” guiding AI aligns with shared values — and who we trust to shape the next chapter of the world’s technological order.

Professor Mimi Zou

Professor Mimi Zou is Head of School in the School of Private & Commercial Law at UNSW and researches AI, emerging technologies and commercial law. She previously held senior academic roles at Oxford and Exeter, founded Oxford’s first lawtech lab and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law.

She advises government and industry on responsible AI and technology governance, and has contributed to…