Rethinking the future

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a transformative socio-technical force, creating significant opportunities while generating complex ethical, societal, and governance challenges. However, existing AI governance research remains fragmented and offers limited integration of technological capabilities, governance mechanisms, human-centered values, and sustainability within a unified framework. To address this gap, this study develops the Human-Centered Sustainable Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework (HCSAIGF) through a systematic literature review and thematic synthesis. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 43 peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection were analyzed using Thomas and Harden's thematic synthesis approach. The analysis identified seven descriptive themes: AI capabilities and infrastructure, societal transformation, ethical and societal risks, governance principles, institutional governance mechanisms, human-centered values, and sustainability. Through analytical synthesis, the functional roles and interrelationships of these themes were examined and reconfigured into the HCSAIGF, conceptualizing AI governance as an interconnected system linking technological capabilities, governance challenges, institutional responses, and human-centered and sustainability-oriented outcomes. The framework contributes to AI governance research by providing an integrated explanatory architecture and offers a conceptual basis for future empirical research and more coherent governance practices.