AI, Digital Trade, and Data Protection: Overcoming Regulatory Fragmentation for a Multilateral Regulatory Framework
Shurui Kang · Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media · 2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital trade, and data-driven technologies have significantly transformed global trade and the world economy, shifting from a physical economy to a digital economy. However, the existing norms, led by the World Trade Organization (WTO) three conventional trade agreements, have fallen behind this reality. States and governments are still bound by these outdated norms while seeking new regulatory frameworks for digital trade and emerging technologies, particularly AI. This article, through a comprehensive comparison of academic literature, domestic laws, and strategic policies, highlights the varied approaches of the international community: the European Union (EU) emphasizes human-concentric regulation, the United States prioritizes AI research and development over unified legislation, and China strikes a balance between conservative regulation and AI innovation. Furthermore, the article examines efforts like the emergence of AI regulatory sandboxes, the United Nations (UN) draft resolution on AI for sustainable development, and the first binding AI convention, which indicate progress towards multilateral AI regulation.