In a significant move, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has updated its definition of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a development set to influence the European Union’s forthcoming AI regulation.
From Marshall Plan to AI Governance
Originally established to manage post-WWII European reconstruction, the OECD has evolved into a key forum for international economic collaboration, often referred to as a club for wealthy nations. In 2019, it took a leap into the digital era by proposing a set of principles for trustworthy AI, including an early definition of AI.
The New Definition
The OECD’s recent decision to update this definition marks a pivotal moment. The new definition reads:
“An AI system is a machine-based system that infers, for explicit or implicit objectives, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs like predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions influencing physical or virtual environments.”
This definition, which varies in levels of autonomy and adaptiveness, reflects technological advancements and aims to future-proof the understanding of AI.
EU’s AI Act and International Alignment
The updated definition is not just a theoretical change; it’s expected to be incorporated into the EU’s AI Act, a pioneering legislative proposal aiming to regulate AI based on its potential harm. The EU Parliament, working on this file, has agreed to align with the OECD’s definition, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining semantic consistency with international standards.
Foundation Models and General Purpose AI
The AI Act negotiations have also introduced obligations for foundation models and General Purpose AI. This inclusion acknowledges the expanding capabilities of AI, from generating content like text and videos to evolving post-deployment through machine learning techniques.
Looking Ahead
As the OECD’s new AI definition becomes official, its incorporation into the EU’s AI bill is anticipated. Although the EU received this revised definition in mid-October, the internal adaptation of this change is still pending. This update is a crucial step in shaping not just EU’s AI legislation but also in setting a global standard for AI governance.
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