A People-Centered Justice Approach to Implementing AI Governance

Nate Edwards and Stacey Cram of Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies examine how a people-centred justice approach can strengthen the implementation of AI governance. The paper argues that, while global AI governance frameworks have expanded rapidly in recent years, far less attention has been paid to how these frameworks will work in practice at national and local level. It highlights the role of the justice sector in translating AI principles into enforceable protections, accessible remedies and meaningful accountability.

The publication explores how justice actors, including courts, legal aid providers, regulators, ombud institutions and community justice workers, can help operationalise AI governance across the full AI lifecycle. It argues that people-centred justice offers a practical lens for ensuring that AI governance is not only technically robust and rights-based, but also inclusive, equitable and workable in people’s daily lives. The paper also discusses the role of the private sector, the United Nations and multilateral governance processes, and sets out recommendations for governments, international organisations, companies, civil society and academia.

This publication was released by the New York University Center on International Cooperation in March 2026.