The revised Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Principles on Artificial Intelligence (AI) was adopted at the Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) held on May 2-3 in Paris.
Taking into account recent developments in AI technologies, including the emergence of generic and generative AI, the revised version of the Principles more directly addresses issues specific to AI, in particular those related to the protection of privacy, intellectual property rights, security and integrity of information, indicates the OECD in a press release.
The Principles, which now have 47 Members including the EU and whose general scope guarantees applicability to developments in AI around the world, lay the foundations for the development of action frameworks to manage risks and shape policies in this area. The first intergovernmental standard in the field of AI, they aim to promote the development of innovative and trustworthy AI, respectful of human rights and democratic values, it is specified.
The OECD AI Policy Observatory, which tracks developments since the adoption of the Principles in 2019, shows that venture capital investment in generative AI start-ups has increased ninefold , that the demand for AI skills has increased by 130% and that the share of large companies using AI has on average, in the OECD area, almost doubled to become more than four times higher than that of smaller structures size.
At the same time, AI has received significant attention and effort from public authorities. As proof, there are more than 1,000 initiatives in some 70 countries and territories.
The OECD says it is becoming imperative to develop and deploy AI systems that can boost productivity, accelerate scientific research, promote environmental sustainability and improve health care and education, while respecting human rights and democratic values.
However, the risks which weigh in particular on the protection of privacy, security, equity and well-being are progressing at an unprecedented speed and scale, and materialize in the persistence of bias and discrimination, the production and the spread of misinformation and disinformation, and the distortion of public debate and markets.
According to the press release, the main modifications made to ensure that the Principles remain relevant, robust and adapted are intended in particular to address security issues, to mention the growing importance of combating misinformation and disinformation and to preserve the information integrity in the context of generative AI.
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