Japanese PM Announces 49-Country Framework for Regulating Generative AI

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the launch of the Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group, a 49-country framework for regulating and governing the use of generative AI.

The announcement was made during Kishida's speech at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris on May 2, 2024.

The Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group aims to address the risks of generative AI, such as the potential for disinformation, and promote the development of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI that can benefit people worldwide. Kishida acknowledged the potential benefits of generative AI but also highlighted the risks, stating, "While generative AI has the potential to enrich the world, it also poses risks such as the spread of disinformation."

The Hiroshima AI Process was launched when Japan chaired the G7 last year, and the new Friends Group will work on implementing principles and a code of conduct for AI developers. The effort is part of the global race to establish regulations and oversight for the rapidly advancing AI technology, with the European Union, the United States, China, and the United Nations also working on regulations and supervision.

Why this matters: The establishment of the Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group constitutes a meaningful advancement towards global cooperation in regulating generative AI technologies. As AI continues to progress rapidly, international collaboration is essential to ensure the safe and responsible development and deployment of these powerful tools.

The OECD will draw on this successful initiative to update its pioneering AI principles, the first intergovernmental standard on AI. Japan's role as chair of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) also provides an opportunity to continue its advocacy for broadening the global reach and impact of the OECD's work, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

The voluntary framework, which has 49 countries and regions signed up, is part of Japan's efforts to take a leading role in creating and strengthening a free, fair, and rules-based international economic order. Kishida also plans to support emerging countries, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, to join the OECD.

The announcement of the Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group was a key outcome of the OECD meeting, which focused on "Co-Creating the Flow of Change: Leading Global Discussions with Objective and Reliable Approaches towards Sustainable and Inclusive Growth." The event provided an opportunity for high-level discussions among OECD members and non-members on critical global issues and leveraged the OECD's strengths to support policymakers in developing sound and well-coordinated policy responses to structural shifts.

Key Takeaways

• Japan launched the Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group, a 49-country framework for regulating generative AI.
• The group aims to address risks of generative AI, such as disinformation, and promote safe, trustworthy AI.
• The effort is part of the global race to establish AI regulations, with EU, US, China, and UN also working on it.
• The OECD will update its AI principles based on this initiative, and Japan plans to expand the OECD's reach.
• The announcement was a key outcome of the OECD meeting focused on sustainable and inclusive global growth.