Governing global existential AI risks: Lessons from the International Atomic Energy Agency

The rapid advancement of data-based systems (DS) offers unparalleled opportunities for societal progress but also poses significant existential risks.
Evidence suggests that the potential dangers of DS surpass those of nuclear weapons, yet regulatory oversight remains insufficient.

The lessons learned from the field of nuclear technology (NT) and the establishment of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) offer valuable insights into how global cooperation and regulatory mechanisms can effectively manage complex technological risks, while at the same time fostering equitable technological progress.

Cognisant of disparities between DS and NT, this brief proposes the establishment of an International Data-Based Systems Agency (IDA) within the United Nations (UN) system in partnership with the Group of Twenty (G20).

The T20 Brasil is the official think tank engagement group of the Group of 20 (G20), under Brazil's 2024 Presidency. This policy brief was commissioned under the "Inclusive digital transformation" Taskforce.