NAVIGATING THE CHALLENGES OF AI GOVERNANCE IN THE 21st CENTURY THE EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE
Authors: B Abhijit 
Published: August 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a disruptive force that is affecting social, political, and economic institutions all over the world. This essay highlights the urgent need for efficient governance in the twenty-first century by critically examining the significant opportunities and risks connected with the increasing reliance on AI technology. The European Union's planned Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA), a ground[1]breaking attempt to fully govern AI development, is at the forefront of AI law. The article explores the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the current scenario, times when AI will see $93.5 billion in private investment worldwide across a range of industries. Governance issues arise from worries about equity, privacy, autonomy, and human obsolescence as AI technology develop. The goals, rules, and limitations of the AIA are examined, along with the challenges of putting it into practice and the larger sociopolitical context that shaped this momentous regulatory undertaking. An in-depth analysis of the AIA's principal components demonstrates its extensive regulations for the development, marketing, and continuous supervision of AI systems. The emphasis is on the risk-based regulatory approach, which aims to strike a balance between promoting innovation and minimizing harm. The analysis includes comments about enforceability, exceptions, and scope limitations. Notable observers have voiced concerns about the AIA's restricted focus on upfront suppliers and direct consumers. Examined are the difficulties in implementing the AIA in practice, taking into account the various legal, economic, and cultural contexts found in European member nations. Obstacles encompass inconsistencies between current domestic legislation, dependence on artificial intelligence (AI) for future growth opportunities, and disputes between international innovation networks and cautious policy cultures. In order to prevent externalized risks before they are implemented, the essay highlights the opportunities that programs for responsible innovation bring and stresses the importance of fostering a culture of accountability throughout research ecosystems. The main tensions between stated laws' difficulties in becoming applicable legislation and comprehensive law's control of AI are examined, highlighting the limitations of compliance-driven governance and the difficulties of ignoring underlying motivations. Drawing on the ideas of civic republicanism, the paper proposes avenues for structural transformation that give priority to anti[1]domination measures. It promotes governance that opposes undue power consolidation among technology developers, weakens public capacity for policymaking, and avoids the entrenchment of unjust regulations. In conclusion, the paper notes the European Union's bold move with the AIA but raises concerns about any possible weaknesses in its effectiveness. It emphasizes the need for ongoing legislation revision, implementation support, and a commensurate cultural commitment that promotes accountability. Due to the complexity of sociotechnical transitions, it is necessary to contest proposed solutions in an open manner, ensuring that those who will be impacted have a say in policy direction and in the mediation of technological integration across communities. The article's conclusion emphasizes that in the technology-driven future, values will become embedded based on the paths that are collectively chosen