Strategic foresight in AI governance

This article presents a strategic foresight roadmap for responsible AI, connecting theory with practical governance in the real world. We introduce the Archer Model—a foresight tool co-developed with responsible AI experts and practitioners from diverse sectors—that combines survey-based horizon scanning and consensus mapping to support inclusive, practice-driven decision-making. Developed within a transatlantic knowledge hub linking Canadian and EU foresight approaches, the model enables participatory, cognitively grounded exploration of AI governance futures. The pilot test involved cross-sectoral actors and revealed key tensions such as the commodification of governance, cross-scale sociotechnical disruptions, and fragmented global AI norms. Accordingly, the model facilitates the co-creation of plural, situated futures that reflect diverse values and priorities. The Archer Model contributes to foresight studies by operationalizing anticipatory capacities at the intersection of AI, ethics, and policy, offering a structured yet flexible tool for informing responsible governance and AI policy in complex and dynamic contexts.