AI Needs Urgent Regulatory Reform, Says Dr. D.P. Sharma at UN International Conference on Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence

GENEVA | June 30, 2026

Dr. D.P. Sharma Calls for Immediate AI Regulatory Reform at UN International Conference

AI Regulatory Reform took center stage at an international conference organized by the United Nations Economic Commission on June 25, where global experts called for stronger governance frameworks to ensure the responsible development of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

Addressing the International Conference on Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, Dr. D.P. Sharma—a UNESCO Lead Author, UNDP Research Advisor, and National Brand Ambassador for India’s Swachh Bharat Mission—urged governments, regulators, and technology leaders to implement immediate regulatory reforms that balance innovation with accountability and public trust.

His remarks focused on the growing need for internationally coordinated AI governance as countries race to adopt emerging technologies while addressing cybersecurity risks and regulatory challenges.

Regulatory Clarity Is Essential for AI Innovation

During his keynote address, Dr. Sharma emphasized that regulatory clarity is no longer optional if countries hope to unlock the full economic and technological potential of artificial intelligence.

He called for a global consensus on AI governance that enables innovation while ensuring safety, transparency, and accountability.

According to Sharma, fragmented regulatory systems create uncertainty for governments, businesses, investors, and innovators, ultimately slowing technological progress.

He argued that harmonized regulatory frameworks would encourage responsible AI development while supporting sustainable digital transformation.

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Regulatory Fragmentation Is a Structural Barrier

Highlighting the challenges facing emerging digital economies, Dr. Sharma warned that fragmented regulatory structures represent far more than an administrative issue.

He described regulatory fragmentation as a structural obstacle that directly affects countries’ ambitions to become regional innovation hubs.

Drawing from his experience, Sharma noted that inconsistent regulatory systems weaken digital ecosystems and increase the long-term economic costs associated with delayed reforms.

He stressed that governments should recognize these hidden costs and prioritize coordinated regulatory action.

‘Wait-and-See’ Approach Is No Longer Sustainable

One of the central messages of Sharma’s address was that governments can no longer rely on a passive “wait-and-see” strategy toward artificial intelligence.

As AI technologies rapidly evolve and become integrated into critical sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, public administration, and cybersecurity, he argued that regulatory institutions must evolve at the same pace.

According to Sharma, delaying governance reforms could create legal uncertainty, increase cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and reduce investor confidence in emerging technology markets.

Balanced AI Governance Needed

Dr. Sharma advocated for a coordinated regulatory model capable of balancing three critical priorities:

• Public safety
• Technological innovation
• Institutional accountability

He recommended developing governance systems based on clearly defined institutional responsibilities, shared international standards, adaptive regulatory mechanisms, and continuous collaboration among governments, academia, industry, and civil society.

Such an approach, he said, would allow innovation to flourish without compromising ethical standards or public confidence.

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Global Regulatory Models Offer Practical Lessons

During the conference, Sharma highlighted several existing regulatory initiatives that could serve as practical reference models for other countries.

He pointed to AI governance approaches implemented in:

• Ethiopia
• Kenya
• Rwanda
• The European Union

According to Sharma, these jurisdictions have already adopted or tested regulatory mechanisms designed to support responsible AI deployment while encouraging innovation and digital investment.

He suggested that policymakers elsewhere could draw valuable lessons from these evolving frameworks.

International Panel Discusses Cybersecurity and AI Governance

The conference brought together leading experts from government, academia, and regulatory institutions to examine the future of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

Alongside Dr. Sharma, the expert panel included:

• Dr. Nomalanga Mashinini, University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
• Mezmur Yared, Ministry of Justice, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
• Dr. Tigist Gebrehiwot, Ethiopian Law Society
• Dr. Seble Hailu, Information Network Security Administration (INSA), Ethiopia
• Asfaw Seyoum, Ethiopian Communications Authority

The discussions focused on strengthening cybersecurity resilience, building effective AI governance systems, and creating regulatory environments that support sustainable digital development.

AI Governance Becoming a Global Policy Priority

Artificial intelligence continues to transform industries worldwide, increasing the urgency for governments to establish comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks.

International organizations, policymakers, and technology leaders are increasingly working to address issues including:

• AI transparency
• Data governance
• Algorithmic accountability
• Cybersecurity
• Privacy protection
• Ethical AI development
• Cross-border regulatory cooperation

Experts at the conference agreed that effective governance will be essential to maintaining public trust while enabling continued technological progress.

Digital Innovation Depends on Regulatory Confidence

Dr. Sharma concluded that countries seeking to become global digital innovation leaders must provide regulatory certainty to entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and technology companies.

He argued that transparent and adaptive governance systems can accelerate innovation while reducing legal risks and improving international cooperation.

According to Sharma, coordinated regulation should be viewed not as a barrier to innovation but as a foundation for sustainable technological growth.

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Outlook

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape economies and societies, calls for AI Regulatory Reform are gaining momentum across international institutions. Dr. D.P. Sharma’s address at the United Nations conference reflects the growing consensus that effective AI governance requires coordinated global action, clear regulatory standards, and adaptive policymaking.

With governments around the world expanding investments in AI, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, the discussions held at the UN conference underscore the increasing importance of international cooperation in creating secure, responsible, and innovation-friendly regulatory frameworks for the next generation of technologies.