AI ecosystem
Combined set of actors engaged in AI development and governance.
How the laws define this
National and regional authorities consistently define an AI ecosystem as an interconnected network of stakeholders—including government bodies, industry actors, and research institutions—and technical infrastructure like compute and data that together support AI development, deployment, and governance. Definitions diverge significantly regarding stakeholder inclusions and strategic objectives. Frameworks such as AI4Belgium, the National Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Senegal (SNDIA), and the Turkey National AI Strategy 2021-2025 explicitly incorporate civil society as a core component of the network. In contrast, measures like Taiwan AI Action Plan 2.0 (2023-2026) and Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan restrict their scope to commercial, academic, technical, and governmental actors. Furthermore, while the APEC Artificial Intelligence (AI) Initiative (2026-2030) emphasizes establishing secure, accessible, and reliable environments for responsible adoption, Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan distinctly targets securing international standards along with economic and military advantages.
Synthesised from the 18 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
How jurisdictions differ
What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first. Showing 10 of the 18 instruments that define this term; all are listed under Definitions below.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latvia | Law on the Development of Artificial Intelligence | In Force | Explicitly ties the ecosystem to the national AI Centre's mandate of building, coordinating and strengthening it through partnerships, funding and capacity measures in Latvia. |
| United States | Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan | In Force | Emphasizes fostering the largest and most robust global AI ecosystem to set international standards and secure economic and military advantages for the United States. |
| Egypt | Egypt National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (First Edition) | In Force | Includes civil society alongside government, private sector, research institutions and technical infrastructure like compute, data and networks to enable an AI-enabled economy in Egypt. |
| Spain | Basque Country AI Strategy | In Force | Limits the ecosystem to a collaborative network of public-private entities focused on AI development and adoption by industrial SMEs and public entities in the Basque Country. |
| Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Program for Research and Development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications in Ho Chi Minh City for the period 2020-2030 | In Force | Centers on stakeholders fostering collaboration and innovation within Ho Chi Minh City to expand AI applications and infrastructure through 2030. |
| Serbia | Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in the Republic of Serbia for the period 2025-2030 | In Force | Defines it implicitly, limiting to research institutes, universities, startups, businesses, government agencies and data infrastructure working collaboratively in Serbia. |
| Belgium | AI4Belgium (Belgian national AI coalition / roadmap) | Adopted | Uses it operationally to scope stakeholders across sectors and jurisdictions for coordination activities in the Belgian national roadmap. |
| Senegal | National Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Senegal (SNDIA) | Adopted | Highlights institutional roles, partnerships and coordination mechanisms involving international partners to advance AI in Senegal. |
| Taiwan | Taiwan AI Action Plan 2.0 (2023-2026) | Adopted | Integrates talent with research, industry, infrastructure and institutional actors to support AI development, commercialization and governance in Taiwan. |
| Lithuania | Action Plan for the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Lithuania 2023–2026 | Adopted | Adds supporting infrastructure such as data and compute resources alongside private firms, public institutions and academic bodies for AI monitoring in Lithuania. |
What it triggers
- In Latvia, the AI ecosystem falls under the national AI Centre's mandate to build, coordinate and strengthen it through partnerships, funding and capacity measures.source
- Under Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan, the AI ecosystem is targeted to foster the largest and most robust one globally through over 90 policy recommendations on deregulation, infrastructure and diplomacy.source
- In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the AI ecosystem is directed by Decision No. 575/QĐ-UBND to expand AI applications and infrastructure through municipal agencies and research bodies.source
Definitions (18)
The combined set of actors (public administrations, private companies, civil society, research centres) engaged in AI development, deployment and governance; used operationally in the roadmap to scope stakeholders and coordinate activities across sectors and jurisdictions.
The network of stakeholders, infrastructure, and policies that support AI development, deployment, and governance, including government bodies, private sector actors, research institutions, civil society, and technical infrastructure (compute, data, networks). It encompasses institutional arrangements, funding, skills, and regulatory frameworks that enable an AI-enabled economy.
The combined network of stakeholders (government, private sector, academia, civil society), infrastructure (data centers, cloud), policies, standards, and resources that support AI development and deployment. The strategy uses this term to describe the holistic environment it aims to build and coordinate through MCIT and the NCAI.
The AI ecosystem denotes the network comprising research organisations, industry players, public services, digital innovation hubs, testing facilities, skills and talent pipelines and funding instruments that together support AI development, deployment and scaling across the EU.
Describes the interconnected components constituting national AI capacity — research, industry, infrastructure, data resources, skills development, and public services — that the policy seeks to develop, coordinate and support through institutions like AI HUB Poland and inter‑ministerial bodies.
The strategy defines the AI ecosystem as the collective network of government, industry, academia, civil society, and international partners that collaborate to advance AI development, research, deployment, and governance within Senegal. It encompasses institutional roles, partnerships, and coordination mechanisms needed to support the AI strategy's implementation.
The AI ecosystem is defined as the network of research institutions, industry actors, educational entities, government bodies, and civil society organizations that collectively contribute to the development, deployment, and governance of artificial intelligence in Serbia. It encompasses human capital, infrastructure, funding mechanisms, and collaborative arrangements that support AI innovation and adoption.
AI Ecosystem refers to the integrated network of talent, research, industry, infrastructure, and institutional actors that together support AI development, commercialization, and governance within Taiwan.
The combined research, industry, infrastructure and human capital elements (including universities, startups, data platforms, cloud/HPC resources, and workforce development) required to develop, deploy, and maintain AI capabilities within the national context.
A network of actors (public institutions, industry, academia, civil society), infrastructure (compute, labs), datasets, services and regulatory or institutional arrangements that together enable the development, deployment, commercialization and governance of AI. The Strategy uses this concept to align stakeholders and coordinate measures across sectors and institutions.
The interconnected network of public authorities, higher‑education and research institutions, private sector entities, infrastructure, funding instruments, standards and services that together support AI development, deployment and governance in Latvia. The Centre’s mandate focuses on building, coordinating and strengthening this ecosystem through partnerships, funding and capacity measures.
The interconnected set of private sector firms, public institutions, academic bodies and supporting infrastructure (such as data, compute resources and standards) that together enable the development, deployment and monitoring of AI technologies within Lithuania.
The interconnected network of stakeholders, infrastructure, policies, and resources — including research institutions, industry, government, and financing mechanisms — that supports AI development, deployment, and commercialization.
The collaborative network of public and private entities involved in AI development and adoption within the Basque Country, including companies (providers and users), technology and research centers, training institutions, and government bodies.
The interconnected network of stakeholders involved in AI development and deployment within Ho Chi Minh City, including research institutes, universities, technology companies, startups, investors, and government bodies, fostering collaboration and innovation.
The comprehensive network of entities involved in the development, deployment, and utilization of artificial intelligence, encompassing researchers, developers, manufacturers, users, and supporting infrastructure. The plan aims to foster the largest and most robust AI ecosystem globally to set international standards and secure economic and military advantages.
Defined implicitly as comprising research institutes, universities, startups, established businesses, government agencies, and data infrastructure, all working collaboratively towards common AI development goals. This network supports AI research, development, and commercialization.
AI ecosystems are envisioned as secure, accessible, and reliable environments that are crucial for fostering AI innovation, development, and widespread adoption within the APEC region. These ecosystems support the necessary infrastructure, policy frameworks, and collaborative environments for AI to thrive responsibly.
Not to be confused with
Ecosystem actors refer specifically to public bodies, universities, research centres, startups and industry partners, while the AI ecosystem encompasses the full network including infrastructure and governance.
Ecosystem describes the quadruple-helix of actors enabling AI development, whereas AI ecosystem includes broader elements like infrastructure, funding and policies.
Questions and answers
What role does the national AI Centre play in Latvia's AI ecosystem?
The Centre's mandate focuses on building, coordinating and strengthening the AI ecosystem through partnerships, funding and capacity measures. It supports AI development, deployment and governance.
How does the US AI Action Plan describe building the AI ecosystem?
It aims to foster the largest and most robust AI ecosystem globally through policy recommendations on deregulation, infrastructure and diplomacy to set international standards.
What stakeholders are included in Egypt's AI ecosystem?
It includes government bodies, private sector actors, research institutions, civil society and technical infrastructure like compute, data and networks.
Related Terms
ecosystem actors
Public bodies, universities, research centres, start‑ups and industry partners....
ecosystem
Quadruple‑helix of actors enabling AI development....
Ecosystems
Sectoral clusters of research, business and public services....
AI Steering Group
Coordination and strategic oversight body for the plan....
AI Network
Collective of Walloon AI actors coordinating the ecosystem....