On May 22, 2019, the thirty-six member countries, including the United States, of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (the “OECD”) adopted a set of guidelines (“OECD Guidelines”) for the development and use of artificial intelligence (“AI”).  Six countries not in the OECD, namely Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru and Romania, also were signatories to the OECD Guidelines.

The OECD Guidelines were drafted by over 50 AI experts from different disciplines and sectors over the past year and present international guidelines for emerging AI technologies to promote trustworthiness of AI.  The OECD Guidelines provide five general principles for the signatory countries to adhere to: (1) stimulating inclusive growth, sustainable development and well-being through the use of AI; (2) focusing on human-centered values and fairness in the development and use of AI; (3) committing to transparency and explainability of AI; (4) ensuring that AI is robust, secure and safe throughout its lifecycle; and (5) requiring accountability for the proper functioning of AI and the preceding principles from organizations and individuals that deploy or operate AI.

The OECD Guidelines also present five recommendations to be implemented by signatory countries in drafting national policies: (1) engaging in long-term public investment, and encouraging private investment, in AI research and development; (2) fostering the development of a digital ecosystem for trustworthy AI; (3) promoting a policy environment for AI that enables smooth transitions from research and development to deployment and operation for trustworthy AI, including providing policy and regulatory frameworks and assessment mechanisms for AI; (4) building human capacity to effectively use and interact with AI and preparing for changes in the labor market, including ensuring fair transitions for workers displaced or affected by AI; and (5) cooperating internationally with other countries and stakeholders to progress responsible stewardship of trustworthy AI.

Finally, the OECD Guidelines instruct the OECD Committee on Digital Economic Policy (“CDEP”) to further develop a measurement framework for evidence-based AI policies and practical guidance on the implementation of the OECD Guidelines and to report on its progress to the OECD Council by end of December 2019.  The CDEP is also tasked with providing a forum for exchanging information on AI policy and activities and monitoring the implementation of the OECD Guidelines, including by providing regular reports to the OECD Council beginning five years after the adoption of the OECD Guidelines.