The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) has announced an “integrated partnership” with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), bringing OECD members and GPAI countries on equal footing under the GPAI brand. However, this consensus was reached after some intense negotiations and trade-offs behind the scenes. Initially, the GPAI was supposed to work under the OECD’s Working Party on Artificial Intelligence Governance (AIGO), but countries like India and Japan pushed back, fearing that their efforts to make GPAI a relevant multi-stakeholder organization might get diluted. India, in particular, played a crucial role in negotiating that the GPAI banner be kept alive and function alongside OECD members, rather than working under them. This strategic win for India and like-minded countries ensures that they have an equal say in the AI-related discourse. However, the GPAI’s secretariat will continue to be hosted by the OECD, which was a major point of contention.
The partnership’s announcement underscores that all members will participate equally in the partnership’s activities and decision-making, without distinction or disparities. This is a significant development, as it brings together 29 member countries, including developing nations, to work together on AI governance. The partnership may also consider developing its specific working methods through consensus, based on the equal footing of all members, regardless of their OECD membership status.
