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Grogan, Oliver (2024) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance in the technology sector: Can we anticipate the future and govern the present? Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.
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Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has experienced a massive growth in development and usage over the last decade, transforming global industries and workplaces. The pace of change caused by AI has been staggering, challenging regulatory bodies to keep pace with its progress. This thesis explores the obstacles facing the relevant regulatory bodies including difficulties defining AI because of technology’s broad nature, the governance difficulties caused by its many applications, and its rapid pace of development. The research evaluates the regulatory approach currently adopted by the US, EU, and China, assessing whether industry specific strategies may be more successful than the current systems and whether current enforcement mechanisms will be successful in protecting people’s privacy and ensuring the ethical development of the technology. The study also considers the future, seeking ways to overcome theories such as the Collingridge Dilemma and technological determinism that predict the technology is likely to follow its own path and by the time its pitfalls are realised, they will be difficult to govern.
Using a qualitative methodology, the research focuses on understanding the perspective of technology sector professionals to garner insights into the current and future state of AI governance through semi-structured interviews. Key findings reveal several common themes: AI’s scope is too broad, the importance of transparency, the role of ordinary people in its governance, and the need for improved AI literacy. The study revealed that the rapid pace of AI’s development is likely to challenge legislators, and that transparency will be vital but difficult to obtain due to competition in ensuring responsible and safe AI development. It also revealed that the current role played by the public in its governance is that of a ‘Guinea pig’ and that education about AI’s implications is essential to allow ordinary people to have an informed voice in the AI governance narrative, rather than allowing a small number of technologist and companies dictate AI’s future.
The thesis adds to the growing narrative on AI governance by analysing the current regulatory approaches, the roles different stakeholders can play, including the challenges they are likely to face in designing governance models that can balance innovation with sound ethical practices. The findings emphasise the need for improved AI literacy among the public and the development of new governance frameworks that are agile enough to keep pace with AI’s rapid development.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Supervisors: | Name Email Hurley, David UNSPECIFIED |
| Subjects: | T Technology > T Technology (General) Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology > Methods of research. Technique. Experimental biology > Data processing. Bioinformatics > Artificial intelligence Q Science > Q Science (General) > Self-organizing systems. Conscious automata > Artificial intelligence H Social Sciences > Economics > Business |
| Divisions: | School of Business > Master of Business Administration |
| Depositing User: | Ciara O'Brien |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Jun 2025 16:59 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Jun 2025 16:59 |
| URI: | https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/7885 |
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