OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI): requirements, deadlines and compliance actions
OECD Recommendation of the Council on Artificial Intelligence (OECD/LEGAL/0449), adopted 22 May 2019 and revised 3 May 2024
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In brief
OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI) is a non-binding framework of International organisations (OECD, UNESCO, UN, G7, ISO), issued by OECD Council. It was adopted on 22 May 2019. Addressed to governments (adherents) and, through them, to AI actors; non-binding. The first intergovernmental standard on AI.
- Instrument type
- Framework
- Status
- Adopted
- Legal force
- Non-binding (guidance, strategy or standard)
- Issuing body
- OECD Council
- Adopted
- 22 May 2019
- Official source
- OECD/LEGAL/0449
- Verification
- Verified against the official source 26 Sep 2026
What is OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI)?
The first intergovernmental standard on AI. It sets five values-based principles (inclusive growth and well-being; human rights and democratic values including fairness and privacy; transparency and explainability; robustness, security and safety; accountability) and five recommendations to governments (invest in research, foster an inclusive AI ecosystem, enable an agile policy environment, build human capacity and prepare for labour-market transition, cooperate internationally). The 2024 revision updated the definition of an AI system (adopted by the EU AI Act and other laws) and added references to general-purpose and generative AI, misinformation and environmental sustainability. Adherents include all OECD members and several non-members; the G20 AI Principles (2019) draw on it.
Who does it apply to?
Addressed to governments (adherents) and, through them, to AI actors; non-binding.
- Sectors
- Cross-sector / all sectors
- AI use cases
- Generative AI and foundation models
- AI system types
- General-purpose AI modelGenerative AI system
When do the requirements apply?
2019-05-22: adopted; 2024-05-03: revised definition and text.
Dates are taken from the linked official source; a reviewer should confirm in-force and application dates before relying on them.
Official sources
-
OECD/LEGAL/0449
OECD · 3 May 2024 · Tier 1 source
Cite this record
AIPolicyTracker (2026). “OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI)” [AIPT-POL-0103, record version 1, verified 26 September 2026 by Bhaskar Bhatt]. https://aipolicytracker.org/id/AIPT-POL-0103 (accessed 27 October 2026). Data licensed CC BY 4.0.
Permanent id AIPT-POL-0103: it never changes or gets reused, and its address keeps working if this page moves.
Cite the official text alongside it: OECD/LEGAL/0449, OECD, https://legalinstruments.oecd.org/en/instruments/OECD-LEGAL-0449.
BibTeX
@misc{aipolicytracker2026_oecdaiprinciplesrecommen,
author = {{AIPolicyTracker}},
title = {{OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI)}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://aipolicytracker.org/policies/oecd-recommendation-on-artificial-intelligence}},
url = {https://aipolicytracker.org/policies/oecd-recommendation-on-artificial-intelligence},
urldate = {2026-10-27},
note = {Data licensed CC BY 4.0. Accessed 27 October 2026}
}
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Markdown
[](https://aipolicytracker.org/id/AIPT-POL-0103)HTML
<a href="https://aipolicytracker.org/id/AIPT-POL-0103"><img src="https://aipolicytracker.org/badges/oecd-recommendation-on-artificial-intelligence.svg" alt="AIPolicyTracker: OECD Recommendation of the Council on Artificial Intelligence (OECD/LEGAL/0449), adopted 22 May 2019 and revised 3 May 2024, Adopted · verified 26 Sep 2026" height="20"></a>Change history
- — OECD revises its AI Principles and the definition of an AI system
- — OECD adopts the first intergovernmental AI Principles
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Record history
No change to this record's tracked fields has been recorded since 15 October 2026, when field-level history began.
Record version 1: Added in the September 2026 global coverage expansion from the official source listed; reviewer to confirm dates, status and scope against the source text. Every earlier wording is in the GitHub repository.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the OECD definition matter?
The EU AI Act, the Council of Europe Convention and several national laws use the OECD's 2024 definition of an AI system, which keeps scope consistent across jurisdictions.
Is OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI) in force?
Not yet. OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI) has been adopted (22 May 2019).
Is OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI) legally binding?
No. OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI) is a framework; it sets expectations rather than legal requirements, unless another instrument gives it force.
Who does OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI) apply to?
Addressed to governments (adherents) and, through them, to AI actors; non-binding.
When does OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI) apply?
2019-05-22: adopted; 2024-05-03: revised definition and text.
Where is the official text of OECD AI Principles (Recommendation on AI)?
The official text is published by OECD at https://legalinstruments.oecd.org/en/instruments/OECD-LEGAL-0449 (OECD/LEGAL/0449). This record links to it and is checked against it.
Disclaimer: informational only, not legal advice. Verify every claim against the linked official sources and consult a qualified lawyer before acting.