Equitable Progress and the Regulation of AI

Abstract This chapter argues that equitable progress should underpin the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring that technological advancements promote justice, inclusivity, and human dignity. Drawing on philosophical traditions, including Rawlsian justice, Habermasian discourse ethics, and Sen’s human capability approach, the chapter presents a normative framework for assessing the societal impact of AI. It explores tensions between innovation and equity, transparency and performance, accountability and liability, and economic gains and workforce displacement. The author surveys the regulatory models of the United States, the European Union, China, and Singapore, identifying barriers to global harmonization and opportunities for international cooperation. Special attention is given to generative AI, whose influence on creative labor and cultural production underscores the importance of preserving human agency and ensuring fair compensation. This chapter concludes that AI governance must be grounded in both moral and technical principles and outlines practical proposals for global governance, including transnational cooperation, capacity building, and participatory policymaking. Equity, the author contends, should not be incidental but central to how AI is developed, regulated, and deployed.