Explore how

Country

India

Australia

China

approaches Artificial Intelligence

In this module, we look at national approaches to technology governance and AI standards. offer an overview of how different countries in the Indo-Pacific.

Select a country from the dropdown list and read about how each government approaches technology governance, technical standards setting in AI, and their key strategic policies and lead government agencies.

Strategic interests and priorities

What are key interests and priorities?

For India, its achievements in science and technology are the subject of national pride. New, emerging and strategic technologies are means to support India’s economic growth and indigenous innovation, expand market opportunities and solidify relations with the global South. This is bolstered by its membership of the G20, the Quad and the G7. India also sees standards, and compliance with standards, as a factor in achieving the status of a developed country.

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What’s the preferred model of technology governance?

The Indian Government primarily drives technology governance in India, in collaboration with various sectoral regulators. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), a statutory agency under the Ministry of Commerce, is responsible for standards and setting up technical committees for standards deliberation. The private sector and academics usually also participate in the technical committees.

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Technical standards

What are strategic objectives in regard to international technical standards?

India’s draft Standards National Action Plan (2022) identifies AI as part of a group of technologies that will drive future standardisation efforts. Other technologies include big data, the internet of things and quantum computing. The plan recognises the need to increase expert participation in national delegations to the ISO and IEC, although digital technologies have been designated as a ‘medium priority’ in BIS’s action plan.

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What is the main National Standards Body?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), a statutory agency under the Ministry of Commerce.

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What’s the main strategy on standards and standardisation?

The draft Standards National Action Plan (2022).

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Governance of AI

What are strategic objectives with AI and AI governance?

The draft Standards National Action Plan refers to emerging technologies, including AI / machine learning (ML), as an emerging national priority but doesn’t articulate specific objectives. However, India has signed on to statements that underscore the importance of standards-setting at the Quad, in particular the Quad International Standards Cooperation Network. This signals a diplomatic commitment to standards-setting for critical technology.

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What’s the main AI strategy?

National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (2018).

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Which government agency has lead responsibility?

NITI Aayog - the National Institute for Transforming India.

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

NITI Aayog - the National Institute for Transforming India.

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

International engagement

What are preferred forums for international engagement on AI and standardisation?

India prefers to engage through UN bodies and traditional SDOs such as the ISO and ITU. India has funded an ITU office in India in 2023 and specifically mentioned its relevance in the setting of high-tech standards in areas such as 6G.

As a member of the Quad, India signed on to the Principles on Critical and Emerging Technology Standards (2023). Bilaterally, the US and EU are important partners for India. In 2022, India and the US introduced the US–India Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) initiative as an institutional mechanism ‘to build open, accessible, secure, and resilient technology ecosystems and value chains, based on mutual confidence and trust, which reinforce our shared values and democratic institutions’.

With the EU, India established a trade and technology council in 2023 to coordinate key challenges in trade, trusted technology and security. Cooperation on trustworthy AI is one of the topics.

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

NITI Aayog - the National Institute for Transforming India.

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

Strategic interests and priorities

What are key interests and priorities?

For Australia, critical and emerging technologies are fundamental to its national interests. It considers some clusters of critical technologies (for example, in AI and sensing) to be driving broader data and digital transformation across the economy and society and breaking down traditional distinctions in the industrial-sector-based economy.

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What’s the preferred model of technology governance?

Australia’s governance model is based on principles and policy guidelines in which the federal government plays an enabling and facilitative role for industry, academia and civil society, in part through Standards Australia and other private associations. There’s also an autonomous role for state and territory governments, which can drive their own governance arrangements. For instance, the New South Wales Government int roduced the AI Ethics Principles and an AI Assurance Framework in 2022.

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Technical standards

What are strategic objectives in regard to international technical standards?

In the 2023 Australian Cybersecurity Strategy, the government committed to ‘work with industry to encourage the adoption of international standards’ and take interim options to ‘co-design options to legislate’ mandatory standards.

Internationally, the government wants ‘international standards for critical technologies [that] will reflect Australia’s interests and expertise’. Furthermore, it says that ‘Australia must do more with international partners to defend and strengthen the international standardisation system, advocating for our shared interests and amplifying regional voices.’

The ‘Critical Technologies Statement’ notes the need to ‘proactively shape the design, development and use of critical technologies and their standards’ as a key means to manage the risk of critical technologies, and ensure secure, resilience and transparent supply chains for critical technologies.

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What is the main National Standards Body?

Standards Australia (SA). SA is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit standards organisation operating under a mandate from the Australian government.

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What’s the main strategy on standards and standardisation?

How do other stakeholders (private sector, civil society) shape AI regulation?

Governance of AI

What are strategic objectives with AI and AI governance?

The federal government wants to create ‘a regulatory environment that builds community trust and promotes innovation and adoption while balancing critical social and economic policy goals’. It also seeks to ensure that ‘the development and deployment of AI systems in high-risk settings is safe and reliable’. In formulating new regulative initiatives, it will ‘leverage [Australia’s] strong foundation and domestic capabilities to support global action to address AI risks’. In doing so, it will place ‘people and communities at the centre when developing and implementing its regulatory approaches’. The National AI Centre will work with industry to draw up a single risk-based AI safety framework for the responsible adoption of AI for Australian businesses at home.

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What’s the main AI strategy?

Department of Industry, Science and Resources: Safe and responsible AI in Australia consultation: Australian Government’s interim response (2024).

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Which government agency has lead responsibility?

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources, spearheaded by the Minister for Industry and Science (2024).

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources, spearheaded by the Minister for Industry and Science (2024).

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

International engagement

What are preferred forums for international engagement on AI and standardisation?

Australia—through Standards Australia and the government’s ITU representative—has traditionally been represented at the SDOs. It has also taken an open and active stance towards new minilateral initiatives that involve US and key Indo-Pacific partners, such as AUKUS, the Quad and various bilateral initiatives.

Examples include Australia’s:

• support for the UK-hosted Bletchley Park declaration

• lead on the Quad Principles on Technical Standards for Technology

• collaboration with Singapore to test both countries’ AI ethics principles.

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources, spearheaded by the Minister for Industry and Science (2024).

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

Strategic interests and priorities

What are key interests and priorities?

The 2017 AI Development Plan states China’s ambition to become ‘the world’s primary AI innovation centre’ by 2030, leading the world in foundational theoretical research, industry competitiveness, skills training and AI laws, regulations, policy and norms. This aligns closely with the Made in China 2025 strategy, which aims to move China up the global value chain to become dominant in global high-tech manufacturing by 2025. AI is recognised as one of seven frontier technologies in which China seeks to lead a breakthrough.

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What’s the preferred model of technology governance?

China’s model is described as ‘government led; enterprise driven’. Its model for technology governance remains based on the centrality of the state, although industry’s role has been elevated during the past decade: since 2014, industry bodies have been allowed to propose standards. At the same time, the Chinese Communist Party has asserted greater control over technology companies.

The relevant main entities are the Standardisation Administration of China, which leads on AI standards within the central government, supported by the National AI Standardisation General Group and the China Electronics Standardisation Institute. The Cyberspace Administration of China is an entity with a growing remit.

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Technical standards

What are strategic objectives in regard to international technical standards?

China’s Standards 2035 Strategy (2018) emphasises the ambition to set global standards for emerging technologies. The accompanying ‘National Standardisation Development Outline’ argues for:

• greater engagement, including fulfilling duties in international standards-setting organisations and actively participating in international standardisation activities

• stronger coordination between domestic and international standardisation.

In February 2024, the Standardisation Administration of China released a standard on basic safety requirements for AI services.

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What is the main National Standards Body?

The Standardisation Administration of China; the National AI Standardisation General Group; and the China Electronics Standardisation Institute.

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What’s the main strategy on standards and standardisation?

China’s Standards 2035 Strategy (2018)

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Governance of AI

What are strategic objectives with AI and AI governance?

China is pursuing three distinct approaches to AI governance:

• algorithmic and information control, led by the Cyberspace Administration of China

• testing and certification of trustworthy AI systems, led by the China Academy of Information and Communication Technology / Ministry of Industry and IT

• establishing AI ethics principles and ethics review boards, led by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

China’s objectives rest on the idea of ensuring that international initiatives reflect domestic policy, regulation and standards.

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What’s the main AI strategy?

The 2017 AI Development Plan

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Which government agency has lead responsibility?

China's Academy of Information and Communication Technology; Ministry of Industry and IT; Ministry of Science and Technology; Cyberspace Administration of China.

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

China's Academy of Information and Communication Technology; Ministry of Industry and IT; Ministry of Science and Technology; Cyberspace Administration of China.

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

International engagement

What are preferred forums for international engagement on AI and standardisation?

Generally, China prefers to work through established UN and other multilateral organisations, such as the global SDOs.

It also uses its arrangement with Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa (BRICS) and its Belt and Road Initiative to advance its positions and interests and introduce de facto standards. For instance, in October 2023, at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, President Xi Jinping introduced China’s Global Initiative for AI Governance.

Earlier, in 2022, China submitted a position paper on ‘Strengthening ethical governance of AI’ to the 2022 meeting of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. In February 2023, China endorsed a call to action for the responsible use of AI in the military domain.

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

China's Academy of Information and Communication Technology; Ministry of Industry and IT; Ministry of Science and Technology; Cyberspace Administration of China.

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

Strategic interests and priorities

What are key interests and priorities?

The EU’s approach to AI governance aims to boost research and industrial capacity while ensuring AI safety and fundamental rights.

Specifically, the EU aims to:

• ‘provide enabling conditions for the development and uptake of human-centric, trustworthy, secure and sustainable AI technologies in the EU

• make the EU a thriving place for AI research commercialisation

• ensure that AI works for people and is a force for good, through talent and education programs, and a legislative proposal

• build strategic leadership in high-impact sectors, including environment, health, robotics and transport.’

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What’s the preferred model of technology governance?

The EU’s model is described as a ‘rights-based approach’ intended to protect citizens, in some cases against big-tech companies and states. Therefore, its technology governance has focused on privacy and human rights, as well as unfair competition and antitrust actions.

As the EU’s Executive Branch, the European Commission initiates AI governance initiatives with support from (among others) the High-Level Expert Group on AI, the Working Party on Telecommunications and Information Society, the Ad hoc Committee on AI and the European AI Alliance. CEN and CENELEC are the regional standardisation groups for the EU.

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Technical standards

What are strategic objectives in regard to international technical standards?

The EU’s Global Strategy (2016) introduced the notion of ‘strategic autonomy’, which has since driven the EU’s political, economic and military development. It also informed the EU’s Standardisation Strategy (2022), which lists five sets of actions:

• anticipate, prioritise and address standardisation needs, identified in the EU annual workplan and informed by a high-level forum

• improve the integrity of European standardisation, which includes protection against undue influence of actors outside of the EU

• enhance European leadership in global standards

• introduce a ‘standardisation booster’ to EU-funded research and development

• train the next generation of standardisation experts within academia.

A Chief Standardisation Officer was appointed: Ms Maive Rute, the Deputy Director-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.

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What is the main National Standards Body?

CENELEC

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What’s the main strategy on standards and standardisation?

An EU Strategy on Standardisation: setting global standards in support of a resilient, green and digital EU single market (2022).

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Governance of AI

What are strategic objectives with AI and AI governance?

The core component of the EU’s governance of AI is the new AI Act. This legislation establishes obligations for providers and users depending on the level of risk that their AI application might pose. Risks are categorised as unacceptable, high and limited. Some applications may be banned from the EU, but others must undergo a conformity assessment and receive a Conformité Européenne (CE) marking before being placed on the market. Most AI applications are likely to be classified as ‘limited risk’.

On the finalisation of the Act, the European Commission has tasked the regional standardisation organisation CENELEC to develop technical standards for this risk categorisation and subsequent conformity assessments. The EU’s primary objective is the homogeneity and security of its internal market, but the AI Act is also likely to have a ‘Brussels effect’

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What’s the main AI strategy?

The EU’s trajectory is a clear example of how one governance instrument can feed into another, ending up with a relatively comprehensive ‘chain of technology governance’.

It started with an articulation of principles (2018) and was followed by a White Paper (2020), an action plan (2021), a draft Act (2023) and a request of standardisation to CENELEC. The AI Act came into force in April 2024 with a two-year application period

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

Which government agency has lead responsibility?

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG Connect)

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International engagement

What are preferred forums for international engagement on AI and standardisation?

The EU supports multilateral forums but has recently opted to work through tailored structures such as its trade and technology councils with the US and India to advance the implementation and adoption of trustworthy AI.

In 2023, the EU and the US agreed to jointly develop a voluntary AI Code of Conduct, which would include non-binding international standards on risk audits, transparency and other requirements for companies developing AI systems. Once finalised, it will be shared with G7 leaders as a joint transatlantic proposal, and companies will be encouraged to voluntarily sign up.

In addition, the EU has entered into ‘digital partnerships’ with Japan, Singapore and the Republic of Korea to foster cooperation in digital trade and to pursue alignment on the development and use of trustworthy and human-centric AI.

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

Strategic interests and priorities

What are key interests and priorities?

Executive orders on AI, issued under consecutive administrations by presidents Trump and Biden, aim to maintain and strengthen US leadership in frontier technology and state that the US ‘must drive’ technological breakthroughs in AI as well as in the development of appropriate technical standards.

The US has also introduced further steps that seek to revitalise ‘domestic manufacturing, create good-paying American jobs, strengthen American supply chains, and accelerate the industries of the future’. AI is one of those industries and is boosted through instruments such as the CHIPS and Science Act (2022).

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What’s the preferred model of technology governance?

In the US, industry, consortiums and other private-sector groups have historically driven technology governance. While support and assistance are provided through national standardisation bodies such as the NIST and ANSI, the model relies strongly on market incentives composed of self-regulation and voluntary principles.

However, recent administrations have set policy directions that aim to coalesce American interests in a concerted manner, particularly on AI. At the same time, individual states can also introduce legislation. By the end of 2023, 17 states had Bills detailing rules for the design, development and use of AI.

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Technical standards

What are strategic objectives in regard to international technical standards?

The US Government’s objectives in governing AI are best articulated in the White House’s ‘Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights’ (2022), which aims to serve as a guide for ‘a society that protects all people from these threats—and uses technologies in ways that reinforce our highest values’:

• systems should undergo pre-deployment testing, risk identification and mitigation, and ongoing monitoring.

• protect individuals and communities from algorithmic discrimination and ensure the use and design of systems in an equitable way.

• stricter data practices compel AI technologies to seek permission before collecting, using, accessing, transferring and deleting personal data.

introduce documentation and explanation around when and how users interact with an automated system.

• offer an opt-out and the option of a human alternative.

On top of those measures, the US Government is invested in maintaining and protecting its edge in frontier-technology AI systems (those technologies that can perform in a way that matches or exceeds capabilities present in today’s most advanced models).

Many of those objectives were subsequently reinforced through Executive Order 14110

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What is the main National Standards Body?

What’s the main strategy on standards and standardisation?

The National Standards Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technology (2023)

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Governance of AI

What are strategic objectives with AI and AI governance?

• systems should undergo pre-deployment testing, risk identification and mitigation, and ongoing monitoring.

• protect individuals and communities from algorithmic discrimination and ensure the use and design of systems in an equitable way.

• stricter data practices compel AI technologies to seek permission before collecting, using, accessing, transferring and deleting personal data.

introduce documentation and explanation around when and how users interact with an automated system.

• offer an opt-out and the option of a human alternative.

Many of those objectives were subsequently reinforced through Executive Order 14110

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What’s the main AI strategy?

The White House: Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights’ (2022).

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Which government agency has lead responsibility?

The White House, including through the National AI Advisory Committee.

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

The White House, including through the National AI Advisory Committee.

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

International engagement

What are preferred forums for international engagement on AI and standardisation?

The US is an active and present participant in most multilateral forums, but it’s most actively pursuing new initiatives in smaller bilateral and minilateral settings with allies and like-minded partners such as the EU, the Quad, ASEAN and the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. As a member of the Quad, the US has subscribed to a common set of ‘Principles on Critical and Emerging Technology Standards’. The US also joined the UK in the Bletchley Park effort as they co-announced the creation of an AI Safety Institute.

The US takes unilateral actions at times, such as its issuing of the ‘Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of AI and Autonomy’. For the US, the NIST is an important and influential entity. While focused on coordinating domestic standardisation, its products and standards have been taken up by foreign jurisdictions, including the AI Risk Management Framework that NIST produced in early 2023

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

The White House, including through the National AI Advisory Committee.

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

Strategic interests and priorities

What are key interests and priorities?

ASEAN’s priorities in emerging and critical technology are to drive economic growth through the digital economy and harmonise standards across all ASEAN states. Ultimately, ASEAN hopes to leverage new technologies, including AI, to support economic growth, administrative efficiency and social uplift.

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What’s the preferred model of technology governance?

ASEAN doesn’t have a single governance approach to technology. Its main role is to coordinate policy actions among its member states to ensure coherence and coordination in support of, for instance, the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2035. Specific issues of shared concern are addressed through sectoral frameworks, such as frameworks for digital data governance, data management and cybersecurity.

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Technical standards

What are strategic objectives in regard to international technical standards?

The ASEAN Digital Trade Standards Working Group is the main platform for coordinating discussions on standards-setting in the context of addressing technical barriers to trade. Its 2021–2025 work plan looks at six items: , i.e.: e-commerce; e-invoicing; e-payments; last mile delivery; digital identity and e-signatures; and cybersecurity.

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On those topics, ASEAN and Australia are working together under the Digital Trade Standards Iinitiative to support national bodies with research, analyses and workshops.

What is the main National Standards Body?

The ASEAN Digital Trade Standards Working Group

What’s the main AI strategy?

The ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, which was endorsed in February 2024.

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Which government agency has lead responsibility?

The ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting is the primary forum for regional discussions on emerging technology, cybersecurity and digital standards.

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

The ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting is the primary forum for regional discussions on emerging technology, cybersecurity and digital standards.

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

Governance of AI

What are strategic objectives with AI and AI governance?

One action item from the ASEAN Digital Masterplan suggests the ‘development and adoption of a regional policy to deliver best practice guidance on AI governance and ethics’. This was delivered with the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, which was endorsed in February 2024. The guide recommends that ASEAN should set up a regional working group on AI governance and is built on existing use-cases of entities such as Gojek, Ucare.ai and the Singapore Government. The purpose is predominantly to help and empower companies, organisations and governments to design, develop and deploy traditional AI systems responsibly and increase users’ trust in AI.[i] ASEAN doesn’t have a formal plan to inform and engage with global governance initiatives.

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What’s the main AI strategy?

The ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, which was endorsed in February 2024.

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Which government agency has lead responsibility?

The ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting is the primary forum for regional discussions on emerging technology, cybersecurity and digital standards.

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What’s the main AI strategy?

The ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, which was endorsed in February 2024.

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Which government agency has lead responsibility?

The ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting is the primary forum for regional discussions on emerging technology, cybersecurity and digital standards.

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

The ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting is the primary forum for regional discussions on emerging technology, cybersecurity and digital standards.

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

Strategic interests and priorities

What are key interests and priorities?

In 2018, Singapore introduced ‘Smart Nation: the way forward’—a plan to prepare Singapore for a new disruptive phase of development with AI/ML at its centre. It’s primarily focused on domestic transformation ‘where a Digital Government, Digital Economy and Digital Society harness technology to effect transformation in health, transport, urban living, government services and businesses.’

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What’s the preferred model of technology governance?

Singapore follows a light-touch regulatory approach towards AI standards, encouraging industry to voluntarily adopt responsible AI with detailed government guidance. The AI Governance Framework has been developed with inputs from more than 60 national and international companies of different sizes from different industry sectors.

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Technical standards

What are strategic objectives in regard to international technical standards?

Singapore aims to be a leader in developing and deploying scalable, impactful AI solutions in key sectors of high value and relevance to its citizens and businesses by 2030.

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What is the main National Standards Body?

Enterprise Singapore is the national standards body. It oversees the Singapore Standardisation Programme through an industry-led Singapore Standards Council (SSC).

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Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

Smart Nation Group, part of the Prime Minister's Office and administered by the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI).

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

Governance of AI

What are strategic objectives with AI and AI governance?

Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2023 makes reference to Singapore’s international reputation as an early adopter and pragmatic partner. The government further commits to ‘contribute actively to international discourse on AI governance, to raise capacity, share best practices, and shape rules around AI, together with the international community’.

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What’s the main AI strategy?

Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2023

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Which government agency has lead responsibility?

Smart Nation Group, part of the Prime Minister's Office and administered by the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI).

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International engagement

What are preferred forums for international engagement on AI and standardisation?

Singapore has a multipronged approach to international engagements. It follows UN discussion intensely and is often the initiator of regional coordination within ASEAN. Singapore is also active in various multistakeholder platforms, such as the GPAI and the World Economic Forum AI Governance Alliance, and has been admitted to the UN Advisory Body on AI. Furthermore, Singapore has intensified bilateral conversations with the US and China. Pursuant to the US–Singapore Critical and Emerging Technology Dialogue, Singapore will also start a digital policy dialogue with China in 2024.

Which is the agency responsible for developing/influencing national-level AI standards?

Which is the agency responsible for enforcing these AI standards?

What are the roadblocks in implementing AI standards, if any?

What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

Smart Nation Group, part of the Prime Minister's Office and administered by the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI).

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What are the other diplomatic initiatives has the country signed on?

Strategic interests and priorities

What are key interests and priorities?

Japan aims to realise ‘Society 5.0’ – a resilient society through the fusion of cyberspace and physical space - and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals based on three principles: dignity for people, diversity and sustainability.

Japan has identified five strategic objectives that underpin the three principles: human resources, industrial competitiveness, technology systems, international cooperation, and dealing with imminent crises.

What’s the preferred model of technology governance?

Government leads standards development through the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC) of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). However, in line with the government’s ‘agile governance’ approach, the guidance documents to support AI principles implementation were prepared through multistakeholder dialogues.

Technical standards

What are strategic objectives in regard to international technical standards?

METI’s JISC revises and introduces standards in response to technological advances. The standards stipulate the criteria for data, mineral or industrial products and services in Japan, including their quality, performance and test methods.

What is the main National Standards Body?

The Japanese Industrial Standards Committee (JISC).

Governance of AI

What are strategic objectives with AI and AI governance?

Japan has prioritised addressing the global AI divide and building collaborations with international organisations such as the G20, G7 and OECD to do so. On data sharing, it has proposed collaborations to design global data governance rules to promote data free-flow with trust.

What’s the main AI strategy?

AI Strategy (2022); and AI Governance in Japan, version 1.1. (2021).

Which government agency has lead responsibility?

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; and the AI Strategy Council (Prime Minister's Office).

International engagement

What are preferred forums for international engagement on AI and standardisation?

Japan has identified the GPAI as a practical international framework initiative to align with global standards for AI and data governance. As a member of the Quad, it signed on to the Principles on Critical and Emerging Technology Standards to promote the use of AI in line with democratic norms and values.
At the 2023 G7 Digital and Tech Ministers’ Meeting, Japan (then G7 President) and other G7 economies extended support:
• for the development, adoption and promotion of international technical standards in SDOs through sector-led multisectoral processes
• to SMEs, academia and start-ups to participate in SDOs.

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Technical Standards

Global Governance

AI Techdiplomacy

Techdiplomacy Guide

Techdiplomacy Technology Standards Country Approaches Global Governance

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