AI Ethics for 6G: Governance, Global Alignment, and Responsible Innovation

Sixth-generation (6G) communication technologies represent not only a technical revolution but also a governance transformation in which artificial intelligence (AI) systems are deeply integrated into network infrastructures. This paper analyzes AI ethics in the 6G era through a multidisciplinary lens, focusing on governance architectures, global policy alignment, and the interplay between ethical principles and innovation. It presents a comparative analysis of the United States, the European Union, and China’s approaches to AI governance, discusses the feasibility of a universal ethical framework amid normative and geopolitical challenges, and highlights the role of ethics as a driver—not merely a constraint—for innovation. By exploring frameworks like SMACTR, the study proposes a balanced integration of regulation, innovation, and normative values. Ethical AI governance is positioned not only as a matter of technical safety but also as a foundation for sustainable digital development.