Historic Global AI Agreement Achieved by OECD

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Today global history was made, as the first intergovernmental standard on artificial intelligence (AI) was adopted by the OECD—a geopolitical milestone achievement.

There is a worldwide investment rush underway in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Both public and private investment funding are pouring into AI, as nations and corporations seek to gain economic benefits and competitive advantages through automation. IDC estimates the global spending on cognitive and AI systems to reach $57.6 billion by 2021. Last year the UK government announced plans to invest £300 million in AI. Also in 2018, the French government announced plans invest €1.5 billion by 2022 in AI research. The European Commission plans to have combined private and public AI investment to meet or exceed €20 billion by 2020.

The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is an intergovernmental economic organization to stimulate global trade and economic advancement with 36 member countries. OECD countries and key partners comprise an estimated 80 percent of global trade and investment. The OECD member countries include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States.

The OECD AI principles were developed by an over 50 member expert group from leaders in science, academia, commerce, labor, and civil society from 20 countries. According to the OECD, its principles on AI “promote artificial intelligence (AI) that is innovative and trustworthy and that respects human rights and democratic values.” The OECD recommendations rests on the fundamental values that AI systems should benefit people and the planet, and be designed in a manner that respects not only democratic values, but also human rights, diversity, and laws. The OECD advocates AI transparency with responsible disclosure, and that AI systems function in a manner that is risk managed, robust and secure. The OECD principles on AI suggest holding AI system developers to be held accountable for the fundamental values.

In addition to the AI value-based principles, the OECD recommends for governments to facilitate “spur innovation in trustworthy AI” via through private and public research and development funding, “foster accessible AI ecosystems” through data sharing technology, “ensure a policy environment that will open the way to deployment of trustworthy AI systems,” “empower people with the skills for AI and support workers for a fair transition,” and “Co-operate across borders and sectors to progress on responsible stewardship of trustworthy AI.”

As next steps, the OCED plans to launch later this year the “AI Policy Observatory” to foster partnerships among the OECD with partner countries, public entities, non-governmental stakeholders, and global organizations.

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