Artificial intelligence is developing at a remarkable pace, transforming how businesses operate, how scientists conduct research, and how people interact with technology. As countries and technology companies race to strengthen their AI capabilities, however, experts are increasingly warning that competition alone may not be enough to ensure artificial intelligence develops in a way that benefits society.

Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig recently argued that greater international cooperation will be necessary as AI becomes more powerful and influential. Speaking at a policy forum associated with the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Lessig highlighted the importance of moving beyond a purely competitive approach to AI development and creating an environment where countries can collaborate on challenges that affect everyone.

Competition has played an important role in accelerating technological innovation. Governments and companies are investing heavily in AI infrastructure, research, computing capacity and talent as they seek leadership in an increasingly AI-driven global economy. This competition has contributed to rapid advances in generative AI, scientific research, automation and intelligent digital services. Yet the same rapid development is also creating challenges that cannot always be addressed effectively by individual companies or countries acting independently.

AI systems increasingly operate across national borders, while the information, infrastructure and digital platforms supporting them are often globally connected. Issues surrounding privacy, cybersecurity, misinformation, transparency and responsible AI therefore have international implications. Establishing common principles and encouraging cooperation could help countries address these challenges while continuing to support technological innovation.

Scientific research represents another area where collaboration could deliver significant benefits. AI is increasingly being used to analyze complex datasets, accelerate scientific discoveries and assist researchers in areas ranging from medicine to climate science. Greater international cooperation could allow researchers to share knowledge and technological advancements more effectively, potentially accelerating discoveries that benefit societies around the world.

Open-source AI also has an important role in this discussion. Making certain AI models, tools and research more accessible can allow universities, researchers, startups and smaller economies to participate in AI innovation rather than leaving development concentrated among a limited number of major technology companies. A broader innovation ecosystem could encourage experimentation and create opportunities for AI solutions designed around different communities and industries.

However, openness must also be balanced with responsibility. Powerful AI technologies can introduce cybersecurity, privacy and misuse risks, making appropriate safeguards essential. Governments, researchers and technology companies therefore face the challenge of encouraging collaboration without overlooking security and responsible development.

AI governance is consequently becoming an increasingly important part of the global technology conversation. Effective governance does not necessarily mean slowing innovation. Instead, well-designed frameworks can establish expectations around transparency, accountability, data protection and safety while giving organizations clearer guidance for developing and deploying AI responsibly.

Businesses also have a role to play. Organizations adopting AI should consider governance and security from the beginning rather than treating them as issues to address after deployment. Establishing responsible AI policies, protecting sensitive data, monitoring AI systems and maintaining meaningful human oversight can help companies capture the benefits of AI while managing potential risks.

Ultimately, the future of artificial intelligence is unlikely to be determined by technological leadership alone. Competition will continue to drive investment and innovation, but cooperation will be equally important when addressing challenges that extend beyond national and organizational boundaries. Finding the right balance between competition, openness, security and shared responsibility could determine whether the next generation of AI becomes simply more powerful or genuinely more beneficial.

As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly important part of the global economy, building trust will be just as important as building more capable systems. International cooperation offers an opportunity to ensure that AI development remains innovative while also becoming safer, more inclusive and more responsible.