Guidance to National Contact Points contributing to the OECD database of national AI policies

Background

Since 2019, OECD.AI has been collecting data from governments on national AI strategies and policies through a structured online AI survey. Representatives from governments, also known as national contact points (NCPs), are invited to review, update and submit pre-existing or new AI policies through the survey. This survey feeds into the database of national AI strategies and policies, which is a core component of the OECD.AI Policy Observatory.

As a result of the contributions from 69 countries, including the European Union, the OECD database on national AI policies has information on over 800 AI policy initiatives. The database aims to be a live repository of government AI policy initiatives. 

OECD survey on national AI policies

Through the OECD.AI survey on national AI policies, national contact points are invited to submit their national AI policy initiatives to each of the three following questions:

• Under AI Governance:
  • What arrangements and bodies have been established to support cross-government coordination for the implementation and monitoring of AI policy? (including measurement efforts)
• Under National AI Policies:
  • What policy initiatives exist to implement the five OECD AI recommendations to governments? (i.e. invest in AI R&D; foster a digital ecosystem for AI; provide an enabling policy environment; build human capacity and prepare workers for labour market transition; co-operate internationally on AI governance)
• Under Regulatory and legislative initiatives to promote trustworthy AI:
  • What policy initiatives exist to address emerging ethical challenges raised by AI (e.g. inclusiveness, fairness, transparency, explainability, security, safety, accountability)?

• Please make sure to answer the sub-questions for each policy initiative, such as:
  • Which OECD AI Principles are addressed by each initiative?
  • Which relevant policy areas are covered by this initiative?
  • Did this initiative receive funding from the private sector?
  • Has this initiative been evaluated?
  • Budget information

FAQ: OECD.AI survey on national AI policies

1. How do I contribute to the OECD.AI database of national AI policies?

Each country can appoint one or more national contact points in charge of updating and submitting AI policies to the OECD.AI database of national AI policies. Please contact us at ai@oecd.org to request an access link to the survey that collects this information.

2. Does the survey cover only “public” AI initiatives?

This survey primarily captures government-led AI policy initiatives. In specific cases, other projects/initiatives in which the government participates could also be included, as long as details about this participation are provided (e.g. multistakeholder initiatives, co-investments and public-private partnerships and AI public procurement projects). 

3. Which policy instrument should I select for my AI policy initiative?

The OECD.AI survey allows national contact points to choose from 25 policy instruments, clustered into four themes: Governance; Financial Support; AI enablers and other incentives, and; Guidance and Regulation. For each policy initiative submitted to the survey, at least one policy instrument should also be chosen. Please find the full list of policy instruments below.

For example, if your country recently launched (or is planning to launch) a national AI strategy, please choose the policy instrument “National strategies, agendas and plans” within that initiative. Similarly, if your country recently launched a regulation on automated decision-making or other AI-related topics, please choose the policy instrument “Emerging AI-related regulation”.

See a list of examples below.

In practice, most policy initiatives might include a mix of various policy instruments. National contact points are encouraged to choose the appropriate policy instrument(s) for each initiative. If you cannot find the exact instrument you are looking for, please choose the instrument that is the closest to what you want to describe.

Policy instruments assist in classifying the initiatives and are extremely valuable for database users when navigating your country’s AI initiatives. If no policy instruments are added, the initiative is less likely to appear in searches. If you have identified specific policy instruments that you think should belong in the survey into the survey, please contact us at ai@oecd.org.  

4. There is a mandatory question that does not apply/for which I do not have the answer. What should I do?

If you cannot answer a mandatory question or the question is not applicable, please leave the answer blank and contact the OECD Secretariat (ai@oecd.org) to tell us the question(s) that posed a problem. 

5. Should I list initiatives that are technology-related but not necessarily AI-related?

All initiatives must be AI policies or directly related to AI. For example, an data protection law or a quantum computing initiative that mentions AI or an AI-related field, such as automated decision-making, can be included. However, if the initiative does not mention AI or AI-related fields, it should not be added. For any uncertainties, please contact ai@oecd.org.

6. If I see incorrect or outdated information in another initiative from my country, can I change it?

Yes, you can and are encouraged to edit your country’s past answers if the information is incorrect or outdated.

National contact points are invited to provide feedback on the survey. If any other additional questions arise, please contact the OECD.AI team at ai@oecd.org.

Updated on 15 February 2023.