Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept — it’s shaping industries, governments, and everyday life. But with great power comes great responsibility. Around the world, governments and organizations are introducing laws, treaties, and guidelines to ensure AI is developed and used ethically.
In this article, we count down the Top 10 AI Regulation Milestones Worldwide, exploring the key agreements, laws, and summits that are shaping the future of AI governance.
10. South Korea’s Basic AI Law (Effective January 2026)
South Korea is set to become one of the first Asia-Pacific nations with a comprehensive AI law.
This upcoming law aims to:
- Promote responsible innovation while ensuring safety.
- Set clear definitions for AI systems and applications.
- Establish penalties for misuse, particularly in areas like facial recognition and autonomous vehicles.
It’s a forward-thinking move that positions South Korea as a leader in balancing technological growth with ethical safeguards.
9. Framework Convention on AI (September 2024)
This legally binding international treaty was signed by over 50 countries, including the United States, members of the EU, and others.
Key goals include:
- Protecting human rights in AI use.
- Ensuring rule of law is respected.
- Promoting transparency and accountability in AI design.
By committing nations to shared standards, the Framework Convention is a milestone in global AI cooperation.
8. EU AI Act (August 2024)
The European Union AI Act is the first comprehensive, risk-based AI regulation in the world.
Highlights:
- Classifies AI systems by risk level (unacceptable, high, limited, minimal).
- Imposes strict rules on high-risk applications like healthcare AI and law enforcement tools.
- Bans social scoring systems that violate privacy.
This law sets a global benchmark for how governments can regulate AI without stifling innovation.
7. Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit (November 2023)
Hosted by the UK, this was the first global summit dedicated to AI safety.
Major achievements:
- Agreement to share AI safety research among countries.
- Launch of the UK AI Safety Institute.
- Collaboration between the US, China, and the EU on preventing AI misuse.
It marked a rare moment of unity among global powers on a highly competitive technology.
6. G7 Hiroshima AI Process Principles (October 2023)
The G7 nations agreed on shared principles for safe AI design, deployment, and governance.
Core principles:
- Human-centric approach to AI development.
- Commitment to monitoring and risk assessment.
- Promoting AI literacy among the public.
While not legally binding, it set the tone for cooperative regulation among major economies.
5. Executive Order 14110 – USA (October 2023)
Signed by President Biden, this executive order aimed to bring federal-level AI governance to the United States.
Provisions included:
- Mandatory AI safety testing for critical systems.
- Protection of privacy rights in AI usage.
- Funding for AI research and workforce development.
Although rescinded in 2025, it remains a milestone for being the most ambitious US AI regulation to date.
4. UK’s National AI Strategy (September 2021)
This strategy outlined the UK’s 10-year vision for AI:
- Investment in AI skills and education.
- Building trusted AI systems through regulation.
- Supporting research to keep the UK competitive.
It provided a clear roadmap for balancing economic growth with ethical considerations.
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3. UNESCO AI Ethics Recommendation (November 2021)
Adopted by 193 member states, this was the first global agreement on AI ethics.
Focus areas:
- Banning AI applications that violate human rights.
- Ensuring AI development is inclusive and sustainable.
- Promoting open data and global knowledge sharing.
Its global reach made it a key ethical reference point for future AI laws.
2. EU Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI (April 2019)
These guidelines introduced the concept of Trustworthy AI, built on seven key principles:
- Human agency and oversight
- Technical robustness and safety
- Privacy and data governance
- Transparency
- Diversity, non-discrimination, and fairness
- Societal and environmental well-being
- Accountability
It became a foundation for the later EU AI Act and inspired similar frameworks worldwide.
1. OECD AI Principles (May 2019)
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was the first intergovernmental body to adopt AI principles.
Its recommendations emphasized:
- AI should benefit people and the planet.
- AI systems must be transparent and explainable.
- Developers should be accountable for their AI systems.
These principles have influenced laws and policies across dozens of countries, making this the most significant AI regulation milestone to date.
From early guidelines to binding international treaties, the Top 10 AI Regulation Milestones Worldwide highlight how quickly the world is adapting to the challenges of artificial intelligence.
Whether through national laws like South Korea’s Basic AI Law or global agreements like the Framework Convention on AI, these efforts aim to ensure AI develops in a way that is safe, ethical, and beneficial for all.