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Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming every aspect of our lives. It influences how we work and play. It promises to help solve global challenges like climate change and access to quality medical care. Yet AI also brings real challenges for governments and citizens alike.


As it permeates economies and societies, what sort of policy and institutional frameworks should guide AI design and use, and how can we ensure that it benefits society as a whole?


The OECD supports governments by measuring and analysing the economic and social impacts of AI technologies and applications, and engaging with all stakeholders to identify good practices for public policy.

What is the environmental footprint of artificial intelligence?

COP27 virtual session, 15 November 2022

AI-enabled technologies have huge potential to support positive climate action. From digital twin technology that models the Earth to algorithms to make data centres more efficient, AI applications already support the green transition. But AI systems also raise sustainability concerns linked to the natural resources they consume such as electricity and water, and the carbon emissions they produce.

As the use of AI increases, governments and policy makers need to understand AI’s environmental impacts so that they can make evidence-based decisions. This begs the question: what is AI’s environmental footprint?

This panel discussion during COP27 explored these issues and the new report "Measuring the environmental impacts of AI compute and applications: The AI footprint".
 

 Watch the replay

2nd International Conference on AI in Work, Innovation, Productivity and Skills

Virtual event, 21-25 February 2022

The 2nd International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Work, Innovation, Productivity and Skills (AI-WIPS) brought together leading voices from the technical, policy, business, academic and civil society communities to present insights on the adoption of AI in firms and the workplace, ethics of its use, implications on skills, business dynamics, and productivity. It also saw the launch the OECD AI Systems Classification Framework.

As part of the OECD AI-WIPS project, this conference aimed to advance a global, multi-disciplinary and evidence-based policy debate to drive an adoption of AI in the world of work that is trustworthy, responsible, effective, beneficial and human-centered.

Watch the session replays

The effects of AI on the working lives of women

Virtual event, 8 March 2022

In celebration of International Women’s Day and in conjunction with the launch of a joint UNESCO-IDB-OECD report entitled “The effects of artificial intelligence on the working lives of women”, this online panel discussion mapped the unique opportunities and challenges that AI presents for the working lives of women and addressed the three overarching topics highlighted in the report: the changing skills requirements in the labour market, the effects of AI on women entering the labour force, and the impacts of AI on women’s work environment and career progression.

OECD.AI Policy Observatory

The OECD.AI Policy Observatory is a unique source of real-time information, analysis and dialogue designed to shape and share AI policies across the globe.

Its country dashboards allow you to browse and compare hundreds of AI policy initiatives in over 60 countries and territories.

An AI-powered tool also allows you to follow COVID-19 developments around the world.

The OECD.AI Policy Observatory also hosts the AI Wonk blog, a space where the OECD Network of Experts on AI and guest contributors share their experiences and research.

OECD Framework for Classifying AI Systems

Developed by the OECD.AI Network of Experts, the OECD framework for classifying AI systems aims to help policy makers, regulators, legislators and others to assess the opportunities and risks that different types of AI systems present, to inform their AI strategies and ensure policy consistency across borders.

The Framework is a user-friendly tool that links the technical characteristics of AI with policy implications, based on the OECD AI Principles that promote values such as fairness, transparency, safety and accountability and policies such as building human capacity and fostering international cooperation.

After a year of work, we held a public consultation through June 2021 to seek input from a broad range of stakeholders on the draft framework’s key components, user friendliness, and usefulness to assess AI system risk. The Framework was officially launched on 22 February 2022 during the OECD's International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Work, Innovation, Productivity and Skills.

OECD Principles on Artificial Intelligence

The OECD Principles on Artificial Intelligence promote artificial intelligence (AI) that is innovative and trustworthy and that respects human rights and democratic values. They were adopted in May 2019 by OECD member countries when they approved the OECD Council Recommendation on Artificial Intelligence.

The OECD AI Principles are the first such principles signed up to by governments. They include concrete recommendations for public policy and strategy, and their general scope ensures they can be applied to AI developments around the world.

The OECD.AI Policy Observatory, launched in February 2020, aims to help policymakers implement the AI Principles.

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Watch the replay of a high-level discussion about implementing the AI Principles in policies and practices. The event was streamed live as part of the OECD Ministerial Council meeting on 4 October 2021.

Publications and policy notes