Country-by-Country Guide

Global AI Regulationsand Frameworks

A comprehensive guide for legal, policy, and GRC teams navigating the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence governance worldwide.

EU
US
CN
UK
JP
CA

AI governance worldwide

Understanding regulatory approaches is critical for AI lawyers, policymakers, and GRC professionals aiming to guide companies through compliance and risk management.

Global Overview: Key AI Frameworks and Regulations

The international community has produced several foundational frameworks to promote responsible AI. These frameworks influence national laws and offer guidance for both public and private sectors.

OECD AI Principles (2019)
International
Non-binding principles

Regulator/Body:

OECD AI Observatory

Requirements:

Encourage fairness, transparency, accountability, human-centric AI

Enforcement:

Voluntary adoption by member and partner countries

UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2021)
Global
Ethical guidelines, non-binding

Regulator/Body:

UNESCO

Requirements:

Protect human rights, promote fairness, ensure AI transparency

Enforcement:

Voluntary national policy alignment

G7 Hiroshima AI Process (2023)
G7 countries and partners
Voluntary guiding principles

Regulator/Body:

G7 Leaders' process

Requirements:

Conduct risk analysis, encourage best practices for trustworthy AI

Enforcement:

Political commitment only

Council of Europe AI Convention (Draft)
Council of Europe member states
Treaty on human rights protections focus

Regulator/Body:

Council of Europe

Requirements:

Prohibit harmful AI uses, mandate human rights impact assessments

Enforcement:

Treaty obligations once ratified

Regional AI Governance Approaches

Explore how different regions are approaching AI regulation and governance

North America
United States, Canada

Multi-layered approach combining federal executive actions, voluntary frameworks, and emerging state-level initiatives

Executive Order 14110

In effect

Country: United States

Scope: Federal agencies and AI R&D

Strategic directive focusing on safe and trustworthy AI practices

NIST AI Risk Management Framework

Available

Country: United States

Scope: Voluntary for developers

Voluntary best practices framework for AI risk management

Directive on Automated Decision-Making

Mandatory

Country: Canada

Scope: Federal government

Mandatory policy for automated decision systems

National AI Oversight Office

In development

Country: Canada

Scope: National, cross-sector

Proposed strategic entity for AI regulation coordination

Europe
European Union, Germany, France, Spain, United Kingdom

Leading global effort with the EU AI Act - world's first legally binding AI law creating structured risk-based framework

EU AI Act (Regulation 2024/1689)

Binding, phased application

Country: European Union

Scope: All member states

Comprehensive binding regulation with risk classification and penalties up to 7% of global turnover

AI Strategy (Updated 2020)

Strategic plan

Country: Germany

Scope: National innovation and regulation

Federal innovation and regulation strategy for ethical AI development

National AI Strategy (AI for Humanity, 2018)

Strategic initiative

Country: France

Scope: Public investment and ethical guidelines

Focus on ethical AI, research funding, and European digital sovereignty

National AI Strategy (2021)

Strategic framework

Country: United Kingdom

Scope: UK-wide post-Brexit AI vision

Post-Brexit national strategy promoting innovation and responsible governance

Asia-Pacific
China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore

Varied approaches from strict mandatory rules to voluntary guidelines, with increasing focus on risk-based regulation

Algorithm Recommendation Regulation (2022)

In force

Country: China

Scope: Internet platforms

Binding regulation targeting algorithmic recommendations with audits and penalties

Generative AI Interim Measures (2023)

In force

Country: China

Scope: Generative AI providers

Registration and content controls for large language models

Social Principles of Human-Centric AI (2019)

Voluntary

Country: Japan

Scope: National advisory

Human-centric vision emphasizing ethical values and voluntary compliance

AI Framework Act (2025)

Effective Jan 2026

Country: South Korea

Scope: Civilian sectors

Comprehensive law with high-impact AI registration and transparency requirements

Model AI Governance Framework (2020 update)

Voluntary

Country: Singapore

Scope: Organizations operating in Singapore

Voluntary best practices promoting transparency and human oversight

Middle East & Africa
United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, South Africa

Emerging regulatory initiatives gaining momentum with focus on ethical development and economic growth

NORA Office (2024)

Active, drafting regulations

Country: United Arab Emirates

Scope: Federal coordination

Federal office for national AI and automation strategy coordination

Data Protection Act (2019)

In force

Country: Kenya

Scope: Personal data and AI decisions

Data protection law applicable to AI with automated decision-making provisions

National Strategy for Data and AI (Vision 2030)

Active strategy

Country: Saudi Arabia

Scope: Infrastructure, ethics, innovation

National strategy for AI development aligned with Vision 2030 goals

Draft National AI Policy Framework (2023)

Draft stage

Country: South Africa

Scope: National AI governance vision

Comprehensive policy framework balancing innovation with ethical standards

Global Timeline of Key AI Regulation Milestones

Tracking major milestones provides context for understanding how quickly the global regulatory landscape has evolved

May 2019

OECD adopts the first intergovernmental AI standards through the OECD AI Principles

April 2019

The European Commission publishes the Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI

November 2021

UNESCO member states unanimously adopt the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

September 2021

United Kingdom launches the National AI Strategy

October 2023

United States issues Executive Order 14110 on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI

October 2023

G7 leaders endorse the Hiroshima AI Process Principles

March 2024

European Parliament passes the final text of the EU AI Act

May 2024

European Council gives formal approval to the EU AI Act, finalizing the world's first comprehensive AI regulation

August 2024

EU AI Act officially enters into force, with phased obligations beginning in 2026

January 2026

South Korea's AI Framework Act comes into effect, marking the first comprehensive AI law in the Asia-Pacific region

Preparing for the Future of AI Regulation

Artificial intelligence governance is no longer a theoretical discussion. Organizations must treat AI governance with serious attention and navigate a complex matrix of binding regulations, voluntary frameworks, and sector-specific requirements.

For Legal Teams

Stay updated on national strategies and enforcement trends to ensure AI deployments are legally compliant

For Policymakers

Build internal processes that reflect risk-based thinking, ethical principles, and regulatory foresight

For GRC Professionals

Monitor rapid AI law development as a permanent responsibility for stakeholders involved in AI governance

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