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Experts Proposed Aviation-Style AI Safety Regimes

Singaporean officials have advocated for a global regulatory framework to manage AI risks by mirroring international aviation standards.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence

Isometric editorial illustration featuring a stylized metallic turbine assembly on a pedestal, representing international regulatory standards.
Singaporean officials have proposed adopting a global AI regulatory framework modeled on international aviation safety standards to prioritize proactive accident prevention. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should nations establish a unified international governing body to regulate artificial intelligence safety?

Josephine Teo has proposed that the global community adopt AI safety frameworks modeled after the aviation sector. This approach seeks to shift toward accident prevention through standardized international rules.

Why it matters

Proponents argue that unified safety standards are necessary to foster public confidence and innovation, though progress is currently constrained by geopolitical tensions between the United States and China.

The proposal cites the 1947 formation of the International Civil Aviation Organization as a model for global safety standards. Current technical auditing capabilities include Singapore's 2022 AI Verify toolkit.

The players

Josephine Teo

Singaporean official leading efforts to establish international benchmarks for artificial intelligence safety.

Donald Trump

President of the United States currently engaged in bilateral discussions regarding global AI safety risks.

Xi Jinping

Leader of China participating in upcoming high-level meetings to address the trajectory of AI regulation.

The details

The suggested framework would utilize tiered obligations based on risk, drawing inspiration from financial sector regulations. Aviation-style oversight prioritizes investigative processes that emphasize accident prevention rather than liability. This system would build upon ongoing efforts like Singapore's AI Safety Institute, established in 2024 to formalize technical audit protocols.

Timeline

  1. 1919: The Paris Convention established initial international aviation rules.

  2. 1944: The Chicago Convention created the foundational international aviation framework.

  3. 1947: The International Civil Aviation Organization was officially formed.

  4. September 17, 2026: Josephine Teo proposed the adoption of aviation-style safety regimes for AI.

  5. September 24, 2026: Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are scheduled to discuss AI safety risks.

The Tech Race

This proposal seeks to extend the precedent set by the 1944 Chicago Convention to govern artificial intelligence. It marks an attempt to move past the current competitive gridlock between the United States and China toward a consensus-based regulatory model.

A successful international framework could eventually result in standardized technical audits for all AI models used globally. Implementation remains a long-term goal, as current efforts are still in the early proposal and discussion phase.

The takeaway

The move toward aviation-style regulation highlights a growing consensus that AI safety requires institutional oversight rather than just voluntary industry guidelines. Observers should track the outcome of the September 24, 2026 meeting as a signal of future international alignment.

What happens next

The meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping on September 24, 2026, will serve as a key indicator of whether major powers can reach a consensus on AI safety frameworks.

Further reading

For broader context on the development of safety standards, visit the Artificial Intelligence section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Straits Times.

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Should nations establish a unified international governing body to regulate artificial intelligence safety?