Do we want an “IAEA for AI”?

Abstract

While some experts have called for an ‘IAEA for AI’, it is important to consider the limitations of this model for AI governance. Drawing on case studies from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the article shows how geopolitical tensions and power dynamics complicate international enforcement. International institutions can perform valuable verification functions, but enforcement ultimately depends on sustained political commitment, which can falter when major powers change position or face military conflict.