TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly | Walking the Tightrope of AI Governance

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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TAI Weekly

WHAT'S NEW?

In time for current US developments, we have the Brookings Democracy Playbook 2025, an updated and expanded guide identifying seven pillars for preserving democratic values. It offers practical strategies for stakeholders to collaborate in defending democracy and strengthening resilience against autocratic threats.

The Edelman Trust Barometer 2025 is out and no surprise that the picture is pretty bleak - one headline: “Sixty-one percent globally have a moderate or high sense of grievance, which is defined by a belief that government and business make their lives harder and serve narrow interests, and wealthy people benefit unfairly from the system.” 

Which countries will be represented on the next UN Tax Committee? Countries are asked to submit nominations for the 25 expert members by April 4th. The membership matters – experts have an opportunity to influence global tax policy with a focus on equity and efficiency.

Dieter Zinnbauer highlights promising new directions in anti-corruption research, moving beyond traditional debates to uncover fresh insights and approaches. (Don’t forget to also check out Dieter’s piece for TAI on “fast accountability” in the energy transition).

Suzanne Nossel warns that we must stop autocrates erasing the Internet, emphasizing the importance of preserving online archives to counter authoritarian suppression and historical revisionism.

Stanford University is launching the Institute on Private Wealth and the Public Good (paywall), an initiative exploring philanthropy’s role in democracy. With rising concerns over wealth concentration, the timing couldn’t be more relevant.

Open Ownership has published a new version of the Open Ownership Principles. These Principles provide a framework for understanding how beneficial ownership transparency reforms can lead to effective ownership disclosure. A valuable resource for policymakers and advocates working toward greater transparency.

Lise Rakner and Siri Gloppen explore how civil society in common law Africa is using legal mechanisms to resist autocratization, countering democratic backsliding through strategic litigation and advocacy.

As the 4th International Financing for Development Conference approaches, Bodo Ellmers assesses the initial “Zero draft” that is the basis for ongoing UN negotiations and what might emerge from upcoming discussions. TAI will be in New York next week for the Third Preparatory Committee, where debates begin in earnest.

Elene Panchulidze and Richard Youngs analyze recent events in Georgia, illustrating how civic mobilization and pluralistic values can sustain democratic culture even as autocratization advances.

Over 40 civil society organizations across the EU and US urge the European Commission and President Von der Leyen to stand firm against Big Tech’s influence. They call for strong enforcement of the Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, and other digital laws to protect democracy, the economy, and individual rights.

ESSENTIAL READING

In a victory for Tanzanian villagers, the World Bank has canceled its $150 million REGROW project following advocacy efforts exposing human rights abuses linked to its expansion. However, the Bank’s private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is under scrutiny for its response to issues with ten coal power plants backed by the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation in the Philippines. The IFC watchdog highlights failures in transparency and mitigation efforts, underscoring accountability challenges in international development funding.

FROM OUR MEMBERS

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS: The Engine Room, with support from the Open Society Foundations, examines how social justice organizations in the Majority World engage with mainstream and alternative social media. Their research explores what it would take for a critical mass of users to transition to alternative platforms—an insightful look at the future of digital advocacy.

LUMINATE: Philanthropy Wired, a new Luminate-sponsored column in Alliance Magazine, explores how emerging technologies shape societal challenges and philanthropy’s role in ensuring they serve the public good. Led by Gaston Wright of Civic Compass, it examines opportunities, risks, and ethical questions at the intersection of tech and philanthropy.

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION: Program Directors at the MacArthur Foundation share insights on how impactful strategies are grounded in actively listening to partners, learning from past experiences, elevating important stories and news, and staying adaptable to evolving circumstances.

Essential Watching

Daniel Plafker investigates a massive carbon offset project in Kenya that restricts livestock grazing to offset emissions. Indigenous herders and human rights groups raise concerns over fencing, armed enforcement, and threats to nomadic traditions. A critical look at the unintended consequences of climate action.

TOOLS AND TRENDS FOR FUNDERS

The Alliance Magazine collated insights from 10 foundation leaders exploring philanthropy’s role in systems change. As the world faces deepening crises, can philanthropy drive real transformation? These interviews offer some answers.

Fabian Pfortmüller, co-founder of Together Institute, reflects on fostering lasting collaborations in social impact networks. While collaboration can't be forced, the right conditions can help it emerge organically.

Are women donors the key to increasing philanthropy? Even as women gain more financial influence, they remain marginalized in giving. Heather McLeod Grant and Jessica Robinson Love discuss how better engagement and guidance can unlock their full philanthropic potential.

Explore WhatIfpedia, a new future worldbuilding tool from the Institute for the Future and Handshake. Using generative AI, it creates Wikipedia-like entries envisioning 2035 scenarios. Just type a topic and expand your imagination!

FOCUSED TOPIC OF THE WEEK:

How can AI governance balance tech ambition and public benefit?

The launch of the Chinese-developed DeepSeek has roiled artificial intelligence (AI) investments this past week and highlighted again how quickly technology is leap frogging forward. Major players like OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle had only just launched their $500 billion Stargate initiative to build critical infrastructure for AI, but advances point to lighter touch ways of powering and networking, and market development is entwined in global power rivalry. The risk is that the public good might get lost in the mix. Martin Tisne argues that AI development must prioritize public benefit over corporate interests to ensure it serves society, not just tech giants.

AI’s potential is starting to transform sectors like education and healthcare, with initiatives like Kenya's Somanasi chatbot improving learning outcomes. However, AI's rise also brings significant risks. Misuse of the technology has surged, particularly in developing countries, exacerbating vulnerabilities. The World Bank’s Global Trends in AI Governance report offers insights into how countries can balance AI’s opportunities and risks through responsible regulation. Governance must be shaped by local and regional engagement, not just global coordination. Stefaan Verhulst and Claudia Chwalisz stress the importance of empowering communities closest to AI systems, ensuring democratic oversight and policies that reflect local values and needs.

AI’s impact also extends to independent journalism, with Peter Erdelyi from the Center for Sustainable Media highlighting the risks posed by AI’s unauthorized use of media content. To sustain independent outlets, Erdelyi calls for fair taxation and state support for AI and Big Tech.

What of impacts on the work place? The upcoming Ethics & Governance Working Group meeting on February 6th will delve into AI’s impact on labor, offering a platform for further discussion. Register here.

We will keep tracking AI governance evolutions and hope you will join and shape the conversation.

ESSENTIAL READING

Connected Development’s latest report examines Nigeria’s climate funding, identifying corruption risks and loopholes. The study provides recommendations to ensure transparency and effective fund utilization.

JOBS

CALLS

  • WJP released EUROVOICES, a survey of 72,000+ people across EU Member States on their perceptions and experiences with rule of law at the subnational level.

  • Media grants for coverage of environmental crimes in the Amazon. Deadline February 6, 2025.

  • Funders for a Just Economy invites applications for its Racial Capitalism Community of Practice, a five-part series (March–June 2025) exploring anti-racist philanthropy and economic justice. Deadline February 12, 2025.

  • The African Academy for Open Source Investigation Fellowships are now open. Deadline February 12, 2025.

  • In 2025, the Rockefeller Foundation will open applications for its Big Bets Climate Fellowship, available in the Asia Pacific Region and the United States.

  • The Amazonia+ call seeks a managing organization for local forest governance projects led by women and youth in the Amazon. Grants up to 400,000 Euros for 10 projects. Deadline 19 March 2025

  • Working on the political economy of aid and development? Join PEADS2025, April 23-24, 2025 in Pitlochry, Scotland.

  • The Thousand Currents Academy in Atlanta, will bring funders and allies together to support unrestricted, long-term funding for Global South movements, fostering systems change through trust and accountability, May 19-22, 2025.

CALENDAR

We’d love to hear from you on how we can further improve TAI Weekly to better serve your needs in program management on the transparency, accountability, improved grantmaking and civic space. Please direct your feedback to [email protected] or

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