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AI Governance Glossary
Governance Concept

What Is OECD AI Principles?

OECD AI Principles is the first intergovernmental standard on AI, adopted in 2019, setting out five values-based principles for trustworthy AI and five recommendations for national policy.

Definition

OECD AI Principlesthe first intergovernmental standard on AI, adopted in 2019, setting out five values-based principles for trustworthy AI and five recommendations for national policy.

The OECD AI Principles were adopted by 40+ countries and underpin the G20 AI Principles. The five values-based principles are: inclusive growth and wellbeing; human-centred values and fairness; transparency and explainability; robustness, security and safety; and accountability. They are non-binding but highly influential — the EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, and most national AI strategies trace their conceptual lineage to them. The OECD also maintains a widely cited definition of an "AI system".

Source: OECD Recommendation on AI (2019, updated 2024)

Plain-language explanation

The OECD AI Principles were adopted by 40+ countries and underpin the G20 AI Principles. The five values-based principles are: inclusive growth and wellbeing; human-centred values and fairness; transparency and explainability; robustness, security and safety; and accountability. They are non-binding but highly influential — the EU AI Act, NIST AI RMF, and most national AI strategies trace their conceptual lineage to them. The OECD also maintains a widely cited definition of an "AI system".

Primary source: OECD Recommendation on AI (2019, updated 2024)

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