Artificial Intelligence (AI) is advancing at lightning speed, but global regulations? Not so much. At the AI Action Summit in Paris (February 2025), over 50 countries—including India, China, Germany, and Nigeria—signed the “Inclusive and Sustainable AI for People and the Planet” statement. Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom refused to endorse it, widening an already growing ideological divide over AI regulation and governance.
Why US and UK refused AI regulation and governance
JD Vance, the US Vice President, made his stance clear: “I am not here to talk about AI safety; I am here to talk about AI technology.” The US and UK believe that excessive regulation could stifle innovation, making it harder for AI startups and businesses to thrive. Vance emphasized that AI should be free from ideological bias and not subjected to unnecessary guardrails.
The UK, a leader in AI safety discussions at previous summits, also hesitated to join the agreement, signaling a shift toward a more laissez-faire approach to AI governance.
On the other hand, signatory nations argue that unregulated AI is a disaster waiting to happen—from job losses and data privacy risks to misinformation and algorithmic biases. The European Commission, China, India, and over 50 countries insist that sustainable and inclusive AI development must take priority over profit-driven expansion.
With its AI Act, the EU is leading the charge for rules that ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical AI deployment. The EU’s stance reflects growing concerns about misinformation, algorithmic bias, and AI’s impact on labor markets.
As AI accelerates, the gap between AI accelerationists (who prioritize growth and innovation) and the public interest camp (who demand oversight and ethics) is more evident than ever.
The Public Interest AI: Bridging the digital divide
Not all hope is lost. To counter growing disparities, India, Nigeria, France, Kenya, Chile, and Germany have launched the Public Interest AI Platform and Incubator. The initiative aims to:
- Support developing nations with AI infrastructure, education, and transparency tools.
- Encourage ethical AI innovation while ensuring equitable access to technology.
- Develop trustworthy AI ecosystems that balance oversight and growth.
This move signals a shift toward inclusive AI development. Experts applaud this move as one that doesn’t leave emerging economies behind.
AI needs a middle ground
Technology experts are canvassing for a middle ground. They charge “AI accelerationists” and the “public interest” camps to strike a balance. Experts like Kate Crawford, a research professor at the University of Southern California, wrote on her X (formerly Twitter):
“The AI Summit ends in rupture. AI accelerationists want more capital, energy, private infrastructure, no guardrails. The public interest camp wants labor protection, sustainability, and safety. The gap has never looked wider.”
Other tech specialists support the argument for balancing AI expansion while addressing security, ethics, and fairness.
For the AI policy advocates, regulations are necessary to prevent AI monopolies
Policy specialists warn that unregulated AI development could create monopolies, where only a few companies control AI advancements. A lack of oversight means AI giants could dictate access, pricing, and data policies—leaving smaller nations at their mercy.
Each summit, from 2023, has had its peculiar focus, thus:
- The Bletchley Declaration (2023) focused on AI safety, with 28 countries pledging to mitigate AI risks.
- The Seoul Declaration (2024) reaffirmed AI safety but saw fewer signatories, signaling weakening support.
- The Paris Summit (2025) moved away from safety, emphasizing AI development, causing further division.
Countries leading AI regulation and governance
While the US and UK hesitate, other nations are moving forward with AI regulations.
China and India: Striking a balance
China and India are among the signatories of the Paris AI declaration. China has heavily invested in AI, but strict government oversight ensures AI aligns with national interests. India, meanwhile, is pushing for inclusive AI, with regulations focused on transparency and reducing bias.
Germany and France: Advocates for responsible AI
Germany and France remain strong supporters of AI ethics and accountability. Both nations are investing in AI while ensuring regulatory safeguards to prevent discrimination and misinformation.
Nigeria and Kenya: Bridging the AI gap
Nigeria and Kenya are among the countries launching a Public Interest AI Platform to reduce digital divides. Their focus is on building trustworthy AI ecosystems that support capacity-building in developing economies.
Clearly, many governments believe that AI without guardrails is a ticking time bomb.
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A better model for AI governance in Nigeria
Nigeria stands at a crucial turning point in its technological evolution. The country can either embrace AI recklessly—allowing it to grow unchecked, with all its risks—or adopt a structured approach that fosters both business growth and societal progress. The right choice will determine whether AI becomes a tool for development or a force of disruption.
To ensure AI serves Nigeria’s needs, policymakers must strike a balance between innovation and governance. A sustainable AI model should focus on the following key areas:
*Government-Industry partnerships: A unified AI strategy
AI development cannot be left entirely to private companies, nor should the government attempt to regulate it in isolation. The best approach is collaboration. Nigeria must establish strong partnerships between AI startups, government agencies, and academic institutions to develop ethical AI solutions that align with national priorities.
For instance, countries like Canada and Germany have successfully implemented national AI strategies by fostering collaboration between industry and government. These strategies ensure AI is not just a profit-driven technology but also a tool for public good. Nigeria can learn from this by creating AI task forces that include businesses, researchers, and regulators.
Furthermore, AI regulation and governance must be clear and adaptable. Overregulation stifles innovation, while lax policies allow for exploitation. A well-balanced AI framework will provide guidance without discouraging startups and investors.
* Public Interest AI Initiatives: Prioritizing social good
AI should not just serve private profits. It must also address Nigeria’s most pressing challenges. Investments in AI should prioritize sectors that benefit the public, such as:
- Healthcare: AI-powered diagnostics and predictive healthcare can help Nigeria’s overburdened medical system. AI can detect diseases early, improve patient records, and enhance telemedicine services.
- Education: Smart learning platforms powered by AI can bridge Nigeria’s educational gaps by personalizing learning for students and training teachers in under-resourced areas.
- Agriculture: AI-driven precision farming, pest detection, and weather prediction can help farmers increase yields and reduce food insecurity.
Countries like India and Kenya have already started using AI for public sector applications. India’s AI-based healthcare initiatives are improving early disease detection, while Kenya has adopted AI to improve agricultural productivity. Nigeria must follow suit.
* AI smart solutions for infrastructure
One area where AI could make an immediate impact is road maintenance. Nigerian roads are notorious for potholes, leading to accidents, vehicle damage, and economic losses. AI-powered road monitoring can provide a solution.
Using computer vision and machine learning, AI can detect potholes, cracks, and structural weaknesses in roads. Smart sensors and drones can scan highways, generating real-time data that helps engineers prioritize repairs. Some developed countries are already implementing such systems. For example:
- The UK uses AI-powered cameras on public transport to map potholes and predict road damage before it worsens.
- China has developed AI-driven traffic management systems that optimize road maintenance and reduce congestion.
- The Netherlands uses AI-powered robots to fill small potholes automatically before they grow into larger hazards.
Nigeria can implement similar AI-driven road maintenance strategies, reducing the need for costly and inefficient manual inspections.
*AI talent development: Building Nigeria’s AI workforce
AI is only as strong as the minds developing it. Currently, Nigeria lacks enough AI professionals to drive its technological future. To bridge this gap, the country must invest in AI talent development.
This means:
- Expanding AI research hubs in universities and technical institutes.
- Encouraging private sector investment in AI training programs.
- Partnering with global AI leaders to bring cutting-edge knowledge to Nigeria.
For example, Rwanda has positioned itself as a leader in AI education in Africa by establishing coding academies and AI research centers. Nigeria, with its vast population and talent pool, can surpass this with the right investment in AI education.
In summary
The AI Action Summit made one thing clear: the world is deeply divided on AI regulation and governance. Some nations want AI growth without interference, arguing that regulation stifles innovation. Others demand strong guardrails to ensure ethical, safe, and sustainable AI development.
The absence of the US and UK from the Paris AI Agreement highlights these tensions. While some nations push for AI transparency and fairness, others prioritize economic dominance. This divide will continue shaping global AI policies in the coming years.
For developing countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and India, the goal should be to strike a middle ground. That means regulating AI where necessary while fostering innovation where possible. A pragmatic approach will ensure that AI remains a tool for growth, rather than an unchecked force of disruption.
If Nigeria embraces a structured AI model, it can harness AI’s potential to improve lives, drive economic growth, and compete globally. Structured AI model is one that combines industry partnerships, public interest investments, smart infrastructure solutions, and workforce development. Nigeria therefore needs to be cautious in this issue of AI regulation and governance.
AI is here to stay. The real question is: Will Nigeria shape its AI future, or will it let others shape it?
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