A Georgian artificial intelligence policy expert has published a phased roadmap for developing AI regulation and governance in Georgia, hosted on UNESCO’s Global AI Ethics and Governance Observatory on June 29.

The author, Luka Begiashvili, draws on UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology, which found Georgia “at a foundational stage” of AI governance: no dedicated national AI strategy, no AI-specific legislation, and no formal regulatory authority. Responsibilities are currently divided across three bodies — the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency, and the Digital Governance Agency.

Four phases, starting with vision

The roadmap argues for a deliberate, sequential approach:

  • Phase 1 – National Vision: Draft an AI White Paper defining what role AI should play in the country before any governance structures are built.
  • Phase 2 – Strategy and Standards: Develop a National AI Strategy alongside non-binding ethical guidelines covering transparency, accountability, human oversight, and fairness.
  • Phase 3 – Institutions: Build governance architecture around needs identified through practice, rather than creating structures before experience exists.
  • Phase 4 – Binding Regulation: Introduce enforceable frameworks only after practical experience has been accumulated.

“Regulation should represent the maturity of an AI governance system rather than its starting point,” the paper states. Singapore, Japan, Israel, and the EU are cited as models for gradual, principles-first approaches.

Georgia’s AI baseline

The assessment reveals a sharp gap between Georgia’s digital infrastructure — it ranks 15th globally in mobile broadband speed — and its AI research output. The country produced just 1.1 AI publications per million inhabitants in 2024, compared with an EU-27 average of 29.8. Enterprise AI adoption stands at 2.2% of firms, and approximately 30 active AI startups operate in the country.

The 2026 state budget allocates $18.4 million for AI research through 2029, funding a planned national AI research and competence center alongside infrastructure and talent-development programs. Georgia has also acceded to the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, providing a normative foundation for the governance work ahead.