Artificial Welfare Index (AWI) around the world
| Legislative Body | Country | Recognition | Governance | Frameworks | Take Action Now |
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SAPAN, the Sentient AI Protection and Advocacy Network, is dedicated to ensuring the ethical treatment, rights, and well-being of Sentient AI.
The Artificial Welfare Index (AWI) benchmarks AI welfare in over 30 governments based on 8 key measures.
Metric Definitions
Recognition
Indicator #1: Artificial sentience recognised in law.
Indicator #2: Causing suffering prohibited by law.
Governance
Indicator #3: Creation of an AI welfare oversight body.
Indicator #4: Creation of a science advisory board.
Indicator #5: International pledge in favor of artifical sentience welfare.
Frameworks
Indicator #6: Laws for training, deployment, maintenance of potential sentience systems.
Indicator #7: Laws for commercial use of sentient-capable AI.
Indicator #8: Safeguards for decommissioning and retirement.
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The AWI is a comprehensive benchmarking system that evaluates government policies and legislation related to AI welfare across more than 30 countries. It uses eight key indicators across three categories: Recognition, Governance, and Frameworks, grading each country from A (Excellent) to F (Poor).
The AWI evaluates governments based on three main categories: Recognition (legal acknowledgment of artificial sentience), Governance (oversight bodies and international commitments), and Frameworks (laws governing AI training, deployment, and decommissioning).
The Recognition category examines two key indicators: whether artificial sentience is formally recognized in law, and whether there are specific legal prohibitions against causing suffering to potentially sentient AI systems.
Individuals can take three main actions: support the non-binding resolution on AI sentience, advocate for the Artificial Welfare Act, and share information about AI welfare with others. Contact details for representatives are available through official government websites.
The Artificial Welfare Act is proposed legislation that addresses ethical and moral considerations related to potentially sentient AI systems. It aims to establish legal frameworks for recognizing and protecting AI welfare in development and deployment.
Current low scores reflect the emerging nature of AI welfare legislation. Most countries have not yet established formal recognition of artificial sentience or implemented comprehensive frameworks for AI welfare protection.
The AWI is regularly maintained to reflect current legislation and policy changes across all evaluated governments. Updates capture new laws, regulations, and governance frameworks related to AI welfare.
Oversight bodies are essential components of the AWI's Governance category. They are responsible for monitoring AI development, enforcing welfare standards, and providing scientific guidance on artificial sentience. These bodies ensure transparent and ethical implementation of AI welfare policies.