At the "Shaping Responsible AI Together" plenary, Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam of the World Trade Organization (WTO) addressed concerns about inconsistent regulatory approaches to artificial intelligence. Paugam stated that fragmented rules could hinder innovation, interoperability, and inclusiveness, which he described as vital for a secure and development-focused digital transition.
"There is an opportunity - and a need - for cooperation," said DDG Paugam. He called on governments and standards organizations to collaborate so that AI systems can remain trustworthy and support open trade. Paugam emphasized the importance of international standards in achieving consistency among different regulatory systems.
The event was organized by the International Organization for Standardization, the International Electrotechnical Commission, and the UN International Telecommunication Union. The Republic of Korea's Agency for Technology and Standards hosted the summit, which gathered senior officials, regulators, industry representatives, technical experts, and international bodies to discuss global strategies for AI governance.
Paugam highlighted that while the WTO does not set standards itself, it serves as a platform to help its members make sure new AI-related policies are transparent, fair, and consistent. He noted that WTO members work through the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade to promote coherence by recommending relevant international standards when shaping regulations related to AI governance.
During his visit to Korea for the summit, Paugam also delivered a keynote speech at a seminar organized by the Korea Testing Laboratory focused on standards and trade in robotics and AI. Additionally, he met with Korea's Deputy Minister for Trade Negotiations to talk about closer collaboration ahead of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).