AI provider
Entity that develops or supplies an AI system.
How the laws define this
Regulatory frameworks consistently identify an AI provider as an entity or person that creates, develops, or supplies an artificial intelligence system for others, bearing primary responsibility for regulatory compliance, risk management, and documentation. Instruments converge on this core responsibility-based concept, but they diverge regarding entity types, market conditions, and international reach. The Draft Code of Practice for Artificial Intelligence (NITDA), Draft ETDA Notification regarding AI Risk Assessment, and Draft Principles for AI Legislation focus broadly on entities supplying systems or models for use by others, with the Draft ETDA Notification and Draft Principles for AI Legislation explicitly including vendors, model creators, and third-party model suppliers. Conversely, Luật về Trí tuệ Nhân tạo explicitly covers natural persons alongside legal persons, defining providers through the act of placing a system on the market under their own name or trademark. Furthermore, the Draft Principles for AI Legislation uniquely requires providers established outside Thailand to appoint a local representative.
Synthesised from the 4 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.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | Law on Artificial Intelligence | In Force | Limits providers to those who develop an AI system or place it on the market under their own name or trademark. |
| Nigeria | Draft Code of Practice for Artificial Intelligence (NITDA) | Draft | Adds maintenance to developing, producing, or supplying, and explicitly assigns responsibility for meeting obligations like risk management and data protection. |
| Thailand | Draft ETDA Notification regarding AI Risk Assessment | Draft | Includes distributing alongside developing, producing, or supplying, and specifies responsibility for documentation, validation evidence, and ETDA compliance. |
| Thailand | Draft Principles for AI Legislation | Draft | Adds training to creating or providing, and includes third-party model suppliers; recommends appointing a local representative if established outside Thailand. |
What it triggers
- In Vietnam, the law mandates risk assessments, transparency, and human oversight for high-risk systems.source
- Under Nigeria's Draft Code of Practice for Artificial Intelligence (NITDA), providers would bear responsibility for ensuring the system meets risk management, documentation, safety, and data-protection requirements.source
- Under Thailand's Draft ETDA Notification regarding AI Risk Assessment, providers are responsible for producing documentation, validation evidence, and ensuring the system meets ETDA risk assessment and compliance requirements.source
Definitions (4)
An entity that develops, produces, maintains or supplies an AI system for use by others, and that bears responsibility for ensuring the system meets applicable obligations (e.g., risk management, documentation, safety and data-protection requirements).
An entity that develops, produces, distributes, or supplies an AI system (including creators of models and vendors). The provider is responsible for producing documentation, validation evidence, and ensuring the system meets ETDA risk assessment and compliance requirements.
An entity (including developers, vendors or third‑party model suppliers) that creates, trains, or otherwise provides an AI system for use by others. Providers are responsible for technical documentation, compliance with applicable requirements, and appointing a local representative when established outside Thailand.
Refers to any natural or legal person who develops an AI system or places an AI system on the market under their name or trademark.
Not to be confused with
AI system provider emphasizes training, producing, distributing, or marketing, while AI provider definitions vary in including maintenance, placing on market, or appointing representatives.
Questions and answers
What responsibilities do AI providers have under Vietnam's Law on Artificial Intelligence?
Providers must comply with mandates for risk assessments, transparency, and human oversight for high-risk systems. The law regulates domestic and foreign entities deploying AI in Vietnam.
Does maintaining an AI system make an entity a provider in Nigeria's draft?
Yes, Nigeria's Draft Code of Practice for Artificial Intelligence (NITDA) defines providers as entities that develop, produce, maintain or supply AI systems and bear responsibility for applicable obligations.
What does Thailand require of AI providers in its draft instruments?
Thailand's drafts describe providers producing documentation, validation evidence, ensuring compliance with risk assessments, and recommend appointing local representatives if outside Thailand.
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