Middle powers can shape global AI governance, if they act together
A Devex analysis argues that mid-tier nations — countries with significant but not dominant global influence — have a real opportunity to shape how AI is governed internationally, provided they coordinate rather than act alone. The piece frames collective action as the lever that could give these countries meaningful input into rules currently being drafted by a handful of major powers.
Why this matters: A small group of countries is writing the rules for AI that everyone else will live under. That is not a conspiracy — it is just how power works. Middle powers joining forces changes the math. It means more voices in rooms where decisions about surveillance, data flows, and algorithmic accountability actually get made. If they sit it out, they get handed a framework shaped by US tech interests or Chinese state priorities. Coordination is not glamorous, but it is the only way countries outside the top tier get a seat at the table before the table is set.
Who should care: AI governance · Lawyers · Administrators · General readers · Policy
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