The Policy-Impact Nexus

We all see that we’re undergoing a seismic shift in technology and industry, we hear about it every day. Every news channel, publication, TikTok. Everybody’s got words about the new AI Industrial Revolution on their lips. But are we really seeing the desired effects? 

To be fair, we are still at ground zero when it comes to the scale and potential for future development of AI. Since the release in 2022 of Open AI’s generative AI machine learning model, which everyone has come to know casually as Chat GPT, the daily lives of millions have been transformed. Whether it be as a handy study tool, a time-saving efficiency for businesses or people simply adopting it as their go-to search engine replacement, the revolutionary potential is still unfathomable for many as research and development scales up in the coming years. Yet, what have we got to show for it? Data privacy concerns. Destructive environmental impacts. Influencers raking in tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of dollars monthly on automating their social media presence or creating online “ragebait” (digital content deliberately designed to provoke anger, outrage, or moral indignation to drive engagement). Is this all that AI can contribute to the common good?

Now more than ever, as we enter the coming phase of intense investment, speculation, and research, there is a need for deeper collaboration between governments, tech companies, civil society, and marginalized communities. We find ourselves at a critical juncture where AI policy decisions made today will determine whether technology amplifies social impact or undermines it. At Comgo, we want to set an example by not only using AI but ensuring the voices of affected communities are centered in how it’s developed and deployed. 

As a technology, AI is outpacing traditional regulatory frameworks leaving us with a governance gap that demands leadership and responsibility. Thoughtful and proactive policies are needed now to avoid reactive regulation later.

This doesn’t mean, however, that policy needs to be seen as a barrier: it’s not. Policy can be an enabler of social innovation, not a suppresser, presenting us with the opportunity to set the ground rules for a sound, ethical foundation that allows organizations to thrive and scale their impact.

Without good governance, AI risks entrenching existing power structures rather than amplifying the voices of local communities (who know their needs best) and maximizing impact for those looking to enact change.

Beyond the AI Race

A lot is said about the AI race: Chat GPT vs DeepSeek. The U.S. vs China. Europe on the sidelines as it struggles to catch up amid increasing trade tensions and an anemic industrial base. It’s reminiscent of a bygone Cold War era of moon landings and nuclear armament, fraternal alliances and bitter hostilities. Yet, these are conversations centered in dominance and zero-sum realpolitik. Where is the leadership in these conversations to speak up for international standards of good governance, ethics, and the common good? Why can’t we pivot these conversations to focus on a global “impact race”, where we might pool and focus our efforts on the use of AI for societal gains?

Comgo’s mission is to standardize and streamline the dense and difficult-to-understand ecosystem of impact metrics globally and cut through the red tape so that organizations, donors, and affected communities maintain dialogue while also accessing the funding they need to bring about good. Couldn’t this be the starting point for international cooperation and a race to prioritize social outcomes? 

The Regulatory Gap in Social Impact AI

As mentioned earlier, policy needs to be proactive rather than reactive. Current AI regulations focus heavily on preventing harm but lack frameworks for maximizing social good. For example, the EU’s AI Act is a first globally in terms of comprehensive, legally binding regulation of AI. Even though it has a focus on transparency (with references to explainability and human oversight) and a risk-based approach when it comes to social scoring systems or the use of AI in recruitment processes and policing, the overall objective is heavily directed towards consumer protection and internal market regulation. It is precisely too risk averse. While concentrating primarily on the principle of “do no harm”, which is necessary and welcome, it misses the opportunity to promote the maximization of social good.

As a point of comparison, UNESCO’s Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Recommendation aligns better with a more favorable human rights-centered and sustainable approach to AI policy development. Although not binding, it does make explicit reference to ethical and environmental impact assessments of AI, the linking of AI regulatory frameworks to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the promotion of social justice, fairness, and inclusive approaches to ensure AI serves “the common good”.

The Catalyst for Change

We believe that AI can be a transformative catalyst for the enhancement and measurement of social impact that scales work from the individual organization to systemic change. The ethical use of AI can lead to a fairer and more sustainable world while services, like Comgo Academy or our impact assessments, can help match needs and resources with greater efficiency.

The ever-stronger emphasis on the "S" in ESG reporting creates opportunities for policy to mandate impact measurement in AI adoption. There is an urgent need for regulatory frameworks that don't just prevent algorithmic bias but actively require AI systems to demonstrate positive social impact.

Imagine Comgo's vision realized at scale: where policy frameworks make impact measurement and transparent AI use not just best practice, but standard practice across all sectors. Our inclusion-by-design approach serves as a model for this transformation, ensuring that community-centered policy development becomes the foundation for AI systems that truly serve society's most pressing needs.