About Regulations.AI

I have been working with technology most of my life, programming since the mid-1980s and engaging more deeply with artificial intelligence since around 2017. In a short paper I wrote during that period, I argued that Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be transformative for society, but that it would likely take roughly a decade before its impact became widespread. I compared it to the printing press: transformative in hindsight, but adopted gradually over time.

I still largely hold that view. I am convinced that AI will be transformative, yet I also see that adoption is uneven and often slower than people expect. At the same time, history shows that change tends to happen gradually - and then suddenly. For me, this makes the question one of when, not if, which makes preparation important.

As AI's impact becomes more significant and more widespread, societies will need structures that help guide adoption in a responsible and sustainable way. In my view, regulation and policy design are not only about obligations and prohibitions - about must and must not. Effective regulation also works through guidance, capability building, incentives, norms, and shared expectations: through what systems (and the people building and using them) should or should not do, and sometimes through what they can or cannot do. This is particularly relevant in areas such as education and media.

That perspective is what led to the creation of Regulations.AI. The platform is designed to make AI-related laws, regulations, and policy initiatives visible across jurisdictions. Its purpose is not to prescribe action or provide legal advice, but to support understanding, preparation, and informed discussion around the governance of artificial intelligence.

By consolidating global regulatory AI developments in one place, Regulations.AI aims to help policymakers, businesses, educators, and other stakeholders learn from history, anticipate change, and think ahead about how AI can be adopted responsibly and sustainably.

When the printing press appeared, regulation came later and was initially focused on control. Over time, however, it helped printing become reliable, trusted, and part of everyday life. Regulation did not stop the printing press - it helped society adapt to it.

With AI, the technology is again moving ahead of governance. The difference this time is that we can learn from history and think ahead, or even use AI itself (as I do with this site) to help shape regulation that supports responsible use and long-term trust.

Regulations.AI is intended as a simple, accessible, and practical reference in a fast-moving field with potentially widespread impact. It will evolve as AI and its regulations evolve.

You can follow me on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/martinsmit