Comparative Analysis of Good Governance in Emerging Technologies: Fundamental Principles in Leading Countries and National Strategies for Iran

Digital transformation and the spread of emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, blockchain, and biotechnologies—have confronted traditional governance models with serious challenges and new questions. On the one hand, these technologies create significant opportunities for sustainable development; on the other, they introduce new requirements for transparency, accountability, risk management, and participatory policymaking. Adopting a descriptive–analytical approach and employing Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), this study examines the foundational principles of technology governance in frontrunner countries—the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, and Estonia—and seeks to derive practical lessons for Iran. The findings indicate five shared principles across these experiences: the presence of independent regulatory institutions; flexible legal frameworks; ethics as a guiding requirement; multi-stakeholder participation; and the capacity for intelligent adaptation to change. Analysis of domestic and international sources likewise shows that linking good governance to technological development is indispensable for addressing future transformations and calls for a reconsideration of Iran’s policy architecture. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations that emphasize smart policy design and the contextualization of successful models of technology governance. The contributions can inform forward-looking and responsible technology policies in Iran and provide a comparative framework for flexible and accountable regulation.