Global Report Reveals Gaps in Responsible AI Governance

The Global Index on Responsible AI (GIRAI) 2026 report, grounded in human rights frameworks like the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, provides a comprehensive assessment of how 135 countries are implementing responsible AI governance. The report evaluates progress across five dimensions: Inclusion and Diversity, Ethics and Sustainability, Labour and Skills, Trust and Safety, and AI Use in Public Service. Data collected by a global network of researchers from November 2023 to September 2025 reveals that while 126 out of 135 countries have at least one government policy or initiative related to AI, this widespread adoption often fails to translate into meaningful, enforceable protections. A significant finding is that 78% of new frameworks in Global South countries are non-binding, compared to 42% in the Global North. Furthermore, government commitment to AI governance does not consistently extend to their own algorithmic deployments. Despite "Transparency and Explainability" being a strong performing indicator, only 18% of countries require public disclosure of government algorithms. The report also documented credible evidence of unacceptable-risk AI systems deployed by governments in 35 countries, underscoring the urgent need to move beyond mere framework adoption towards robust, rights-based protections, well-resourced oversight, and accessible redress mechanisms.