Artificial Intelligence as Infrastructure for Epistemic Trust

<jats:p>This chapter examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping the foundations of epistemic trust in contemporary societies. As AI systems increasingly mediate the creation, validation, and dissemination of information, they function as infrastructures of knowledge governance. Drawing on institutional epistemology, sociotechnical imaginaries, and comparative policy analysis, this chapter investigates four national approaches to AI governance represented by the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and South Korea. The analysis demonstrates how political systems, regulatory traditions, and cultural values shape governance frameworks and influence public trust. By comparing different governance models, the chapter identifies key strengths, vulnerabilities, and trade-offs. The findings highlight the fragmentation of global AI governance and its implications for democratic accountability, technological sovereignty, and international cooperation.</jats:p>