Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values

The AI and Democratic Values Index is a comprehensive review of AI policies and practices worldwide. Prepared by the Research Group of the Center for AI and Digital Policy, AIDV provides the basis to compare national AI policies, to assess progress, and to identify emerging trends. CAIDP has published the report annually since 2021. The fifth edition (AIDV 2025) is almost 1,500 pages long, contains more then 7,000 footnotes, and reflects the contributions or more than 1,000 participants in the CAIDP policy clinics from over 120 countries. Dr. April Yoder is the Editor-in-Chief of the 2025 edition.

The Report - 2025

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FOR RELEASE
April 3, 2025 09:00 EDT / 15:00 CET

 

AI and Democratic Values Index Ranks Policies and Practices in 80 Countries

 

Canada, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, and United Kingdom Lead CAIDP's Rankings

 

Key Developments 2024

  • Forty-one countries endorsed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI, Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law, the first legally binding AI Treaty
  • UN resolutions and the Global Digital Compact reflected global consensus on safeguarding fundamental rights and promoting the Sustainable Development Goals
  • The European Union finalized the AI Act, the first comprehensive regulation on AI; key provisions entered into force
  • The African Union endorsed the Continental AI Strategy
  • The OECD and the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) broadened efforts to implement the OECD AI Principles
  • The G20, G7, and ASEAN announced new codes of conduct for organizations developing  AI systems
  • Many countries implemented the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), signaling progress on  the UNESCO AI Ethics Recommendation
  • The UN Secretary-General urged prohibitions on autonomous weapons systems

CAIDP AI Policy Recommendations 2025

  • Global support for the International AI Treaty
  • Prohibitions on AI systems that undermine human rights and democratic values
  • Human oversight of AI systems across the lifecycle, including a Termination Obligation
  • Implementation and enforcement of AI governance frameworks, such as the EU AI Act and the Hiroshima AI Process
  • Algorithmic transparency, including the ability to contest adverse outcomes
  • Establish a UN Special Rapporteur for AI and Human Rights
  • Establish liability rules for AI systems

 

 

AIDV 2025 - Countries by Tier

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AIDV 2025 - Map with Tiers

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AI 2025 - Metrics (2023-2025)

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Background

In 2021, the Center for AI and Digital Policy published the first worldwide assessment of AI policies and practices. Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values (AIDV) rated and ranked 30 countries, based on a rigorous methodology and 12 metrics established to assess alignment with democratic values.

 

The 2021 AI Index expanded the global coverage from 30 countries to 50 countries, acknowledges the significance of the UNESCO Recommendation on AI ethics, and reviews earlier country ratings. The 2021 report is the result of the work of more than 100 AI policy experts in almost 40 countries.

 

The 2022 AI Index assessed the policies of 75 countries. The metrics have been updated to take into consideration the implementation of the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on AI Ethics as well as the 2022 Global Privacy Assembly Resolution on Facial Recognition. Country reports headings have been harmonized to ease reference and comparative analysis. Relevant regional frameworks have been systematically taken into account in the country reports. The 2022 report is the result of the work of more than 200 AI policy experts in almost 60 countries.

 

The 2023 AI Index covered 80 countries and reviews earlier country reports and ratings. The metrics have been updated to bring more granularity in the assessment of the implementation of the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on AI Ethics and to include the 2023 Global Privacy Assembly Resolution on Generative AI. The 2023 report is the result of the work of more than 500 AI policy experts in almost 90 countries.

 

(Note that beginning in 2025, we refer to AIDV by year of publication and not the year of coverage. The dates above reflect the year of coverage for each annual report.)

Endorsements

“The CAIDP 2024 Report continues its tradition of excellence in providing essential insights into the global relationship among democratic values, ethics  and the accelerated pace of AI innovation and development.  It is an essential tool to understand the nature of AI and its relationship to the public good. At UNESCO, with our global standard on the ethics of AI, we are proud to partner with CAIDP to achieve a technological transition that is fair and sustainable”

 

Assistant Director General Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO , Social and Human Sciences Sector

"As the development and use of AI continues to increase exponentially, governments and civil society have struggled to keep pace. However, in recent years there has been unprecedented growth in law and policy. This report is essential reading for anyone looking to grasp the key trends that link how nation states are responding to the rise of AI, and for anyone looking to understand the key developments in specific states. It is both thoroughly researched and the product of deep and broad expertise."

 

Edward Santow,

Human Technology Institute, University of Technology Sydney

"I endorse this report for its clear and diverse inclusion of countries in both the Global North and the Global South. The report gives an important insight into AI-related activities globally. This is important because AI does not operate in a vacuum nor does it operate in silos, its impact is intertwined across the global."

 

Kutoma Wakunuma,

De Montfort University

"The AIDV Index is an incredibly impressive and valuable compendium. The country reports themselves offer an extremely valuable collection of case studies."

 

Justin Longo,

University of Regina

 "It is always encouraging to see the progress in AIDV and its contribution to the formation of AI policies around the world."

 

Wonki Min,

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

"The AI and Democratic Values 2025 report is a well-developed and highly technical work that provides essential insights into the intersection of artificial intelligence and democratic governance. This report serves as a crucial tool for understanding how nations can effectively promote and safeguard democratic values in the age of AI. It is an invaluable resource for countries seeking to strengthen democratic principles while leveraging AI responsibly."

 

Armando Guio Español, 

Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Harvard University

Comments?

Send revisions and updates to editor@caidp.org