Artificial intelligence is advancing at unprecedented speed, with growing influence over economies, societies and global security. The Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative (AIGI) is helping shape how governments and institutions respond, ensuring that the development of advanced AI systems delivers public benefit while managing systemic risk.

The Challenge 

AI has the potential to bring profound benefits, improving everything from healthcare and scientific innovation to education and productivity. However, the potential for unintended negative consequences and malicious misuse means we must take action to safeguard against potential future harms now. 

Bringing together policy analysis with technical expertise in machine learning and other computing fields, AIGI, is supporting decision-makers to develop regulation, technical governance and international standards for frontier AI. Co-led by Professor Robert Trager, a social scientist specialising in international relations and frontier AI regulation, and Professor Michael Osborne, a specialist in machine learning, the programme is also a unique training hub, preparing graduates from technical and policy backgrounds for careers in government, industry and civil society.

“Through our expanding network of affiliates, we are developing cutting-edge technical governance techniques, shaping global dialogue on standards at the AI Summits and beyond, and training leaders to manage ever more powerful technologies.”

The Impact 

The Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative is:

• Shaping global AI governance debates, with agenda-setting research informing policy and regulatory discussions across the UN, EU, UK and US.
• Translating research into regulation, with affiliates in senior roles at the EU AI Office, the UK AI Safety Institute, and international standards and codes of practice.
• Strengthening international coordination on AI safety, as one of the few organisations combining governance expertise with in-house technical capacity — bringing academic credibility and practical technical insight directly into policy design.
• Helping set the agenda for the Global AI Summit, through an officially designated pre-summit dialogue in India involving senior government and scientific leaders.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, Professor Robert Trager, Co-Director of the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative, is optimistic about the future of global AI governance:

“Through our expanding network of affiliates, we are developing cutting-edge technical governance techniques, shaping global dialogue on standards at the AI Summits and beyond, and training leaders to manage ever more powerful technologies.”

As AI systems grow more powerful and more widely deployed, the need for robust, internationally coordinated governance will intensify. The Oxford Martin AI Governance