Israel's Policy on Artificial Intelligence Regulation and Ethics (December 2023)

Summary

Israel has chosen not to enact a horizontal AI law for now. Its December 2023 policy, prepared by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology with the Ministry of Justice's legal counsel and legislative affairs department, tells regulators to work within their sectors, avoid broad AI legislation, align with international regulation, tailor rules to risk, and develop regulation in stages using tools such as sandboxes. Regulators are to base their policies on OECD principles. The paper also proposes a government AI knowledge and policy coordination centre to advise and coordinate regulators.

Key dates

1. December 2023Key date
2. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: January 15, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. Israel’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, along with the Ministry of Justice, is taking the lead in addressing AI challenges through a policy focused on responsible innovation

   Supports: Issuing ministries

   The proposed establishment of an AI Policy Coordination Center

   Supports: Proposed coordination centre

   Israel ICT – Policy on Artificial Intelligence Regulation and Ethics International Trade Administration (U.S. Department of Commerce) Reporting or analysis

2. A pivotal moment was marked 13 Dec. 2023, when Minister of Innovation Science and Technology Ofir Akunis endorsed a policy paper delineating AI principles, regulation and ethics.

   Supports: Endorsement date December 13, 2023

   Contrarily, Israel will refrain from enacting an AI act, at least in the foreseeable future.

   Supports: No AI statute planned

   Proactive caution: Israel's approach to AI regulation IAPP Reporting or analysis

3. Operating within sector-specific regulations and avoiding broad legislation in the AI field

   Supports: Sector-led approach

   the guidance recommends that regulators base their policies on OECD principles

   Supports: OECD principles

   Israel Publishes AI Regulatory Policy Document Pearl Cohen Reporting or analysis