Session
Description:
As AI governance transitions from high-level principles toward implementation, policymakers face a critical challenge: "AI" is not a monolithic technology. A regulatory approach designed for large language models cannot efficiently govern rule-based systems, predictive analytics, or autonomous agents. Yet policy debates frequently treat these fundamentally different AI technologies and computational systems under one umbrella, creating uncertainty for regulators, organisations, and developers. Aligned with the IGF 2026 overarching theme, "Governing the Internet in the Age of Intelligence: Our Shared Responsibility", this workshop will explore how evidence-based policy can translate responsible AI principles into context-sensitive governance. Moving beyond one-size-fits-all regulation, the session introduces a decision-making framework centered on the AI Policy Research Roadmap and the concept of “Question Zero” - evaluating whether a specific AI system is the best solution for the problem at hand (Why do we need it? What specific technology fits best?) before deciding how to deploy or regulate it. Participants will explore practicalities and capacity-building strategies needed to assess system-specific risks. Through a brief scenario exercise based on an institutional setting (e.g., higher education), attendees will apply the Question Zero approach to evaluate alternatives like process automation or human-centered solutions, demonstrating how early-stage governance strengthens accountability, transparency, and resource allocation. Co-organised by an international consortium spanning the Nordic region and the Global South – and uniting perspectives across academia, civil society, technical community, and the private sector – the workshop will support a broad multistakeholder perspective. By bridging diverse regional experiences and practical governance approaches, participants will co-create actionable insights for proportionate, adaptable, and impact-driven AI policy. Additional Co-organisers: Tatjana Titareva (Umeå University) Petter Ericson (Umeå University) Eltjo Poort (CGI) Maja Fjaestad (Karoliska Institutet)
As AI governance transitions from high-level principles toward implementation, policymakers face a critical challenge: "AI" is not a monolithic technology. A regulatory approach designed for large language models cannot efficiently govern rule-based systems, predictive analytics, or autonomous agents. Yet policy debates frequently treat these fundamentally different AI technologies and computational systems under one umbrella, creating uncertainty for regulators, organisations, and developers. Aligned with the IGF 2026 overarching theme, "Governing the Internet in the Age of Intelligence: Our Shared Responsibility", this workshop will explore how evidence-based policy can translate responsible AI principles into context-sensitive governance. Moving beyond one-size-fits-all regulation, the session introduces a decision-making framework centered on the AI Policy Research Roadmap and the concept of “Question Zero” - evaluating whether a specific AI system is the best solution for the problem at hand (Why do we need it? What specific technology fits best?) before deciding how to deploy or regulate it. Participants will explore practicalities and capacity-building strategies needed to assess system-specific risks. Through a brief scenario exercise based on an institutional setting (e.g., higher education), attendees will apply the Question Zero approach to evaluate alternatives like process automation or human-centered solutions, demonstrating how early-stage governance strengthens accountability, transparency, and resource allocation. Co-organised by an international consortium spanning the Nordic region and the Global South – and uniting perspectives across academia, civil society, technical community, and the private sector – the workshop will support a broad multistakeholder perspective. By bridging diverse regional experiences and practical governance approaches, participants will co-create actionable insights for proportionate, adaptable, and impact-driven AI policy. Additional Co-organisers: Tatjana Titareva (Umeå University) Petter Ericson (Umeå University) Eltjo Poort (CGI) Maja Fjaestad (Karoliska Institutet)
Policy Question(s)
A. How should policymakers distinguish between different types of AI systems when developing proportionate governance approaches?
B. What factors should organisations consider when deciding whether AI is an appropriate response to a societal or organisational problem?
C. What governance mechanisms can support responsible decisions throughout technology selection, procurement, deployment, and oversight?
Expected Outcomes
The session will strengthen participants' understanding of how responsible AI principles can be translated into practical, evidence-based governance. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of the diversity of AI technologies and computational systems, why this distinction matters for policymaking, and how a Question Zero approach can support informed decisions before AI regulation and adoption.
The workshop will produce a set of practical recommendations for AI governance processes, contributing to the further development and dissemination of the AI Policy Research Roadmap (https://aipolicylab.se/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/roadmap-for-ai-policy…). Insights from the discussion and interactive case study will inform future research, capacity-building activities, and multistakeholder collaboration on evidence-based AI governance.
Participants will leave with practical tools and decision frameworks to assess whether AI is appropriate for a given use case, identify the type of technology involved and develop governance approaches that are proportionate to its capabilities, risks, and intended use across different organisational and policy contexts.
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The workshop format is designed to maximise interaction among policymakers, researchers, industry, civil society, and the technical community. A roundtable setting encourages dialogue across disciplines and stakeholder groups, which is essential for addressing the complexity of AI governance and developing shared understanding of Question Zero. The session combines short expert interventions with a facilitated interactive case study, allowing participants to apply the Question Zero approach to a realistic institutional scenario. This participatory approach moves beyond presentations by enabling attendees to debate governance choices, compare perspectives, and jointly explore proportionate governance approaches for different AI technologies and computational systems. The 60-minute format provides sufficient time for framing, multistakeholder discussion and collaborative reflection, as well as ensuring that practical recommendations and lessons learned can be shared beyond the session.
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The workshop format is designed to maximise interaction among policymakers, researchers, industry, civil society, and the technical community. A roundtable setting encourages dialogue across disciplines and stakeholder groups, which is essential for addressing the complexity of AI governance and developing shared understanding of Question Zero. The session combines short expert interventions with a facilitated interactive case study, allowing participants to apply the Question Zero approach to a realistic institutional scenario. This participatory approach moves beyond presentations by enabling attendees to debate governance choices, compare perspectives, and jointly explore proportionate governance approaches for different AI technologies and computational systems. The 60-minute format provides sufficient time for framing, multistakeholder discussion and collaborative reflection, as well as ensuring that practical recommendations and lessons learned can be shared beyond the session.
Hybrid Format: The session is designed as a fully integrated hybrid workshop, with equal opportunities for onsite and online participants to contribute throughout the discussion. A dedicated online moderator will monitor the virtual platform, facilitate questions, and ensure that online participants are actively included in each discussion segment rather than only during the Q&A.
The interactive case study will be conducted simultaneously with both onsite and online participants working through the proposed Question Zero approach. Participants will contribute their perspectives through live polling and collaborative digital whiteboards (e.g., Mentimeter, Miro), enabling real-time comparison across stakeholder groups and regions.
Group discussions will intentionally combine onsite and online inputs. The session will conclude with a synthesis of key recommendations generated collectively by all participants, ensuring that both in-person and remote contributions are reflected equally in the workshop outcomes and subsequent dissemination activities.
Organizer 1: Rachele Carli, Umeå University
Organizer 2: Virginia Dignum, Umeå University
Organizer 3: Viktoriia Movchan, AI Policy Lab, Umea University
Organizer 4: Hellegren Isadora, Mila
Organizer 5: Brian Masinde, EthicEdge
Organizer 6: Krumina Gunta, AImful Ry
Organizer 7: Alex Moltzau, KI Norge
Organizer 8: Jason Tucker, AI Policy Lab @Umeå University and Institute for Futures Studies
Organizer 9: Kathleen Siminyu, 🔒Mozilla Foundation
Organizer 2: Virginia Dignum, Umeå University
Organizer 3: Viktoriia Movchan, AI Policy Lab, Umea University
Organizer 4: Hellegren Isadora, Mila
Organizer 5: Brian Masinde, EthicEdge
Organizer 6: Krumina Gunta, AImful Ry
Organizer 7: Alex Moltzau, KI Norge
Organizer 8: Jason Tucker, AI Policy Lab @Umeå University and Institute for Futures Studies
Organizer 9: Kathleen Siminyu, 🔒Mozilla Foundation
Speaker 1: Virginia Dignum, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Jason Tucker, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Brian Masinde, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 4: Alex Moltzau, Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 5: Viktoriia Movchan, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 2: Jason Tucker, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Brian Masinde, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 4: Alex Moltzau, Government, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 5: Viktoriia Movchan, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Moderator
Viktoriia Movchan, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Online Moderator
Hellegren Isadora, Technical Community, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Rapporteur
Krumina Gunta, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
What will participants gain from attending this session?
