driven model in the United States to the European Union’s more regulatory, ethics-based framework – complicate coordination, as do broader differences in national priorities, technological capabilities and concerns over security and sovereignty. These divergences may also affect practical initiatives, such as the AI Adoption Roadmap, which faces challenges in developing a coherent lia- bility framework to support SMEs across jurisdictions. Externally, the develop- ment of a coherent global response is further complicated by growing compe- tition from non-G7 actors, particularly China, for technological leadership. This competition risks exacerbating existing disparities and international rivalries, especially during this period of geopolitical instability and economic fragmentation. These challenges are fur- ther compounded by the rapid pace, complexity and transnational nature of AI and quantum, requiring sustained and structured engagement with the full range of key stakeholders across the dig- ital ecosystem. OPERATIONALISING AI GOVERNANCE At the Évian Summit in June, G7 lead- ers can best contribute by reinforcing coordination and turning ongoing dia- logue into more sustained, inclusive and operational governance, despite the high level of uncertainty surrounding US engagement. As AI and quantum tech- nologies become increasingly central to economic competitiveness and strategic power, the priority should be to further identify and advance concrete areas of convergence, even in the presence of persistent regulatory and geopolitical divergences. In this context, structured engagement with G7 engagement groups – particularly the Business 7 and Tech 7 – will be essential to integrate private sector expertise and ensure that policy responses remain aligned with rapidly evolving technological and industrial realities. However, as these forums tend to amplify the voices of major tech- nology companies, it is important to ensure broader participation from the entire digital ecosystem. A genu- inely human-centric approach requires going beyond Big Tech, whose financial resources enable strong representation in policy processes, to ensure that policy outcomes support the most inclusive and equitable technological develop- ment and deployment.
“As AI and quantum technologies become increasingly central to economic competitiveness and strategic power, the priority should be to further identify and advance concrete areas of convergence”
in promoting a human-centric, trust- worthy approach to AI and supporting broader adoption, including among SMEs. At the same time, it places a new emphasis on the security dimension in response to an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. In this con- text, France is advancing the G7 agenda on quantum technologies beyond the initial phase of monitoring and impact assessment, shifting towards con- crete risk mitigation and preparedness measures. A key example of this is the statement, released in January by the G7 Cyber Expert Group, on advancing a coordinated roadmap for the transition to post-quantum cryptography in the financial sector, although the full migra- tion of critical systems and assets is only expected by the end of 2032. However, implementation remains uneven and often falls short of stated ambitions, highlighting the ongoing challenge of turning shared commit- ments into concrete results. Although the G7 has been successful in providing strategic direction and encouraging dis- cussion, progress is hindered by internal dynamics and external pressures. Inter- nally, diverging national approaches to AI – ranging from the innovation-
// FEDERICA MARCONI Federica Marconi is a researcher in the Multilateralism and Global Governance programme at the Istituto Affari Internazionali. Her work focuses on digital and technological innovation and its geopolitical implications, including ongoing debates on shaping global governance in this field. During Italy’s 2024 G7 presidency, she served as co-coordinator of the Think 7’s Task Force 4 on Science and Digitalisation for a Better Future. She has been a visiting researcher at the University of Konstanz, Ludwig-Maximilians- Universität Munich and Fordham University. X-TWITTER @IAIonline BLUESKY @iaionline.bsky.social www.iai.it
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