WITSA Webinar on Global AI Governance: Navigating the Future of AI
6th August 2025, Kathmandu
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and societies worldwide, the imperative for effective global AI governance has reached a critical juncture.
WITSA Webinar on Global AI Governance
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) will host a crucial webinar titled “Major Global AI Governance Negotiations Underway in 2025,” offering essential insights into this evolving landscape.
This timely webinar, open to all WITSA members, companies, friends, and colleagues, will feature Nick Ashton-Hart, Senior Director of Digital Economy Policy at APCO, as the esteemed speaker. Ashton-Hart brings two decades of experience in high-stakes multilateral negotiations, making him uniquely qualified to shed light on the complex interplay of national interests, regional alliances, and the urgent need for international cooperation in shaping AI norms and standards.
The Global AI Governance Landscape: A Multipolar Approach
The year 2025 is proving to be a pivotal period for AI governance. With various powers developing their own AI strategies and vying to influence global standards, a multipolar approach has emerged, creating both opportunities for collaboration and new geopolitical tensions.
This webinar will delve into:
Divergent Strategies: An in-depth analysis of how different national and regional AI strategies are shaping the global dialogue.
Opportunities for Collaboration: Exploring avenues for international cooperation despite differing national interests.
Geopolitical Tensions: Understanding the emerging challenges and conflicts arising from the race to define AI’s future.
Role of International Bodies: Examining the critical function of organizations like the United Nations (UN) in fostering consensus and guiding AI development for the common good.
Why This Webinar is Essential?
Understanding the ongoing AI governance negotiations is paramount for a wide range of stakeholders, including:
Policymakers: To navigate the complexities of AI regulation and develop national frameworks that align with global best practices.
Business Leaders: To anticipate future regulatory environments, ensure ethical AI development, and mitigate potential risks.
Citizens: To comprehend the societal implications of AI and advocate for governance that prioritizes human rights and well-being.
The discussion will also address the significant challenges in achieving consensus on crucial AI topics and explore the potential implications of a fragmented governance landscape for the future of AI development and deployment.
Meet the Expert: Nick Ashton-Hart
Nick Ashton-Hart’s extensive background in international policy makes him an invaluable voice on this topic. His career spans digital economy policy domains such as world trade law, international telecommunications, Internet governance, and intellectual property rights. Notably, he was a lead negotiator for the private sector in the UN cybercrime convention negotiations, which concluded in 2024. At APCO’s New York office, his current focus includes artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and international law enforcement cooperation on cybercrime.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain critical insights into the forces shaping our AI-driven world.
Webinar Details:
Speaker: Nick Ashton-Hart, Senior Director, Digital Economy Policy, APCO
Date: Thursday, August 14, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM ET / 1:00 UTC/GMT (Please check your local time zone)
Registration: WITSA Webinar on Global AI Governance (Zoom link provided upon registration)
This event is a must-attend for anyone interested in the future of AI and its global implications. Register today to secure your spot!
