GPAI (Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence)-OECD Partnership: What It Means for India's AI Future

Jul 20, 20243 min read

Introduction

The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), since its inception in 2020, has been supported by a secretariat hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
During the sixth ministerial council meeting, an "integrated partnership" with the OECD was announced, aiming to bring OECD members and GPAI countries on equal footing under the GPAI brand.
This move, however, involved significant negotiations and trade-offs, especially from India.

GPAI was launched in June 2020 with 15 members, as a result of an idea developed within the G7.
As of now, GPAI’s 29 members include countries like Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Republic of Korea, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union.

Initially, the GPAI was supposed to operate under the OECD’s Working Party on Artificial Intelligence Governance (AIGO).
Countries like India and Japan raised concerns, fearing that their efforts to establish GPAI as a relevant multi-stakeholder organization might be diluted under the OECD.

The recent announcement of an integrated partnership, bringing OECD members and GPAI countries together under the GPAI brand, is seen as a strategic win for India and similar countries.
India successfully negotiated that the GPAI would function alongside OECD members rather than under them.
This move ensures that all members participate equally without distinction or disparities in the partnership’s activities and decision-making processes.

India and many developing countries are not OECD members.
There were concerns that if GPAI were to operate under AIGO, it would limit their space to address AI-related issues relevant to their nations.
The joint announcement emphasized that the integrated partnership would ensure equal participation and decision-making for all members, irrespective of their OECD membership status.

One of the significant trade-offs in this partnership is the location of the GPAI secretariat.
Since taking over the GPAI presidency, India had been pushing for an independent secretariat, aiming to remove the grouping from OECD’s purview.
However, this has not materialized, and the GPAI secretariat will continue to be hosted by the OECD.
A senior government official mentioned that the GPAI secretariat was expected to end its term around May, leading to a limbo regarding its future location.
Despite India’s push for an independent or rotating secretariat, the OECD has decided to retain the secretariat, maintaining GPAI’s association with the OECD.

GPAI’s membership has grown significantly, now including 29 countries.
This diverse membership base underscores the global interest in AI governance and collaboration.
The integrated partnership with the OECD aims to leverage this diversity to foster inclusive and balanced AI development.

For India, this integrated partnership represents a significant achievement in ensuring that its voice and those of other non-OECD members are heard in the global AI discourse.
By negotiating equal footing in decision-making, India has secured a platform to advocate for AI policies and practices that reflect the needs and priorities of developing nations.

The integrated partnership between GPAI and the OECD marks a critical step in global AI governance.
Despite some trade-offs, this move ensures equal participation and a balanced approach to AI development.
It highlights India's strategic diplomacy and commitment to fostering a multi-stakeholder AI governance framework.

This article is highly relevant for candidates preparing for UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF, Assistant Commandant, Essay Writing, Current Affairs, NDA, CDS, SSB Interview, AFCAT, IAS, IB ACIO, and Current News.
It provides insights into international diplomacy, global AI governance, and India's strategic role in negotiating equal participation in global forums.
Understanding such developments can help candidates frame better answers in mains examinations, write comprehensive essays, and perform well in interviews by showcasing a nuanced grasp of India's diplomatic efforts and global AI initiatives.