Detailed overview
The OECD AI Principles and the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence are not country-specific AI laws, but they are important international standards. Many national AI frameworks use the same concepts: human rights, safety, transparency, accountability, fairness, human oversight, privacy, robustness and responsible innovation.
First intergovernmental AI standard
The OECD AI Principles were first adopted in 2019 and updated in 2024. They are described by the OECD as the first intergovernmental standard on AI. They define an AI system as a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers from input how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments.
The OECD framework promotes trustworthy AI and responsible stewardship. It includes values-based principles and policy recommendations covering inclusive growth, sustainable development, human rights, democratic values, transparency, explainability, robustness, security, safety and accountability.
Effect on companies
These international principles do not create direct penalties for private companies by themselves. Their legal importance comes from their influence on national AI laws, regulator guidance, public procurement, impact-assessment standards, corporate governance and sector-specific AI rules.
Practical requirements & details
Sourced from the OECD AI Principles (originally adopted 22 May 2019; updated 2 May 2024).
Values-based principles
- 1. Inclusive growth, sustainable development and well-being.
- 2. Respect for the rule of law, human rights and democratic values, including fairness and privacy.
- 3. Transparency and explainability.
- 4. Robustness, security and safety.
- 5. Accountability — throughout the AI system lifecycle.
Policy recommendations to governments
- 1. Investing in AI research and development.
- 2. Fostering an inclusive AI-enabling ecosystem.
- 3. Shaping an enabling interoperable governance and policy environment.
- 4. Building human capacity and preparing for labour-market transformation.
- 5. International cooperation for trustworthy AI.
OECD AI system definition (used widely)
- "A machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments. Different AI systems vary in their levels of autonomy and adaptiveness after deployment."
- This definition has been adopted (with minor wording) by the EU AI Act and many national AI frameworks.
Effect on companies
- No direct fines.
- Influence comes via national AI laws, regulator guidance, public procurement requirements, due-diligence questionnaires, ISO/IEC 42001 alignment.