OECD AI Principles

The OECD Principles on Artificial Intelligence, adopted on 22 May 2019 by OECD member countries and adapted at the weekend by the G20 as 'human-centred AI Principles', are characterised as promoting "artificial intelligence (AI) that is innovative and trustworthy and that respects human rights and democratic values".

The OECD states that its AI Principles are

the first such principles signed up to by governments. Beyond OECD members, other countries including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru and Romania have already adhered to the AI Principles, with further adherents welcomed. The OECD AI Principles set standards for AI that are practical and flexible enough to stand the test of time in a rapidly evolving field. They complement existing OECD standards in areas such as privacy, digital security risk management and responsible business conduct.

The "five complementary values-based principles for the responsible stewardship of trustworthy AI" are

•  AI should benefit people and the planet by driving inclusive growth, sustainable development and well-being. 
• AI systems should be designed in a way that respects the rule of law, human rights, democratic values and diversity, and they should include appropriate safeguards – for example, enabling human intervention where necessary – to ensure a fair and just society. 
• There should be transparency and responsible disclosure around AI systems to ensure that people understand AI-based outcomes and can challenge them. 
• AI systems must function in a robust, secure and safe way throughout their life cycles and potential risks should be continually assessed and managed. 
• Organisations and individuals developing, deploying or operating AI systems should be held accountable for their proper functioning in line with the above principles. 

The OECD goes on to ask "What can governments do?", responding

Consistent with these value-based principles, the OECD also provides five recommendations to governments:

• Facilitate public and private investment in research and development to spur innovation in trustworthy AI. 

• Foster accessible AI ecosystems with digital infrastructure and technologies and mechanisms to share data and knowledge. 

• 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. 

• Co-operate across borders and sectors to progress on responsible stewardship of trustworthy AI.