Cannot be adequately theorised through the lens of agency

The gap

Evidence profile

Stated in the inline gaps and synthesized and cells future research and cells research gap sections of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2022 and 2026, spanning 5 journals. Those papers have been cited 145 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 6 representative gaps

• AI sovereignty without power? Reviewing strategic agency, infrastructural dependence and digital imperialism (2026) · AI & Society · doi

  cannot be adequately theorised through the lens of agency alone and if the intermestic character of AI governance means that international dependencies and domestic accountability deficits are structurally inseparable, then the conceptual vocabulary currently available to schol- ars and policymakers is insufficient for the task.

  generalstated in inline gapsevidence 5/5
  Keywords: cannot adequately theorised lens agency alone intermestic character governance means international dependencies domestic accountability deficits
• Artificial intelligence governance and social policy divergence: a comparative political economy perspective on global AI regulation (2026) · International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy · cited 1× · doi

  The literature documents systematic divergence in AI governance models across regions (rights-based, market-driven, state-centric, hybrid, developmental) but lacks empirical research on how middle powers can leverage their distinct governance approaches to build coalitions or coordinate positions in global AI governance forums, or how their policy models might inform more inclusive multilateral frameworks.

  generalstated in synthesizedevidence 5/5
  Keywords: literature documents systematic divergence governance models across regions
• Artificial Intelligence and the Political Legitimacy of Global Governance (2022) · Political Studies · cited 52× · doi

  Existing scholarship identifies political legitimacy as a critical property of good global AI governance but does not examine how middle powers—which often lack representation in elite governance forums—perceive or can contribute to the democratic legitimacy of emerging AI governance institutions, or how their participation might address legitimacy deficits in current regime complexes.

  generalstated in synthesizedevidence 5/5
  Keywords: existing scholarship identifies political legitimacy critical property good
• Global AI governance: barriers and pathways forward (2024) · International Affairs · cited 92× · doi

  While the literature identifies that AI governance requires coordination between multiple institutions and governance models, there is no concrete analysis of institutional mechanisms or negotiation strategies through which middle powers can effectively participate in or influence the coordination of the fragmented regime complex, particularly when facing pressure from geopolitical competition between major powers.

  generalstated in synthesizedevidence 5/5
  Keywords: literature identifies governance requires coordination between multiple institutions
• AI sovereignty without power? Reviewing strategic agency, infrastructural dependence and digital imperialism (2026) · AI & Society · doi

  The paper suggests that future research should focus on developing more nuanced and effective AI governance strategies. - The paper proposes that future research should engage with the concept of power-aware governance. - The paper suggests that future research should examine the implications of infrastructural power and coercion pathways for AI sovereignty.

  generalstated in cells future researchevidence 5/5
  Keywords: paper suggests future research focus developing nuanced effective
• AI governance and digital transformation in public utilities: Evidence from Morocco’s national electric grid (2026) · Applied Chemical Engineering · doi

  The lack of understanding of how governance mechanisms condition the way institutional readiness for AI translates into internal acceptance of AI-enabled systems. - The absence of empirical studies that integrate AI maturity, governance, and AI acceptability into a unified framework, particularly in monopolised energy services in emerging economies.

  generalstated in cells research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: lack understanding governance mechanisms condition way institutional readiness

Questions about this gap