Digital colonialism in global AI governance: addressing power imbalances and protecting Indigenous self-determination

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Date
2026-03-30
Authors
Kavanagh, Elena
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Center for War Studies, University of Southern Denmark
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Abstract
Digital colonialism refers to the reproduction of colonial patterns of domination through digital technologies, data infrastructures, and AI. This contribution examines how digital colonialism is reflected in the emerging governance of AI, why it threatens global equity and cultural resilience, and why it is a significant concern for AI safety. Indigenous communities have particular risks when their land-based knowledge and cultural expressions are digitized and integrated as data into AI systems without Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). The contribution argues that addressing digital colonialism requires governance frameworks deriving from Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination, as exemplified by inclusive governance in the context of the Arctic. The contribution recommends that states, international institutions, corporations and civil society adopt and strengthen meaningful mechanisms of participation that bring together different knowledge systems and multiple ways of knowing into global AI governance.
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Digital colonialism , Colonial patterns of domination , Digital technologies , Data infrastructures , AI , Free, Prior and Informed Consent , FPIC , ~Law - Reports~
Citation
Kavanagh, E. (2026) 'Digital colonialism in global AI governance: addressing power imbalances and protecting Indigenous self-determination', in Nadibaidze, A. and Lingevicius, J. (eds.) Geopolitics of AI governance: actors, norms and trends. Odense: Center for War Studies, University of Southern Denmark, pp. 35-42. https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/en/publications/geopolitics-of-ai-governance-actors-norms-and-trends/
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https://hdl.handle.net/10468/18678
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© 2026, Center for War Studies.