Rights & Ethics

Human-centric

Approach prioritizing human dignity, autonomy, and social values.

How the laws define this

Frameworks share a core consensus that human-centric AI must respect human dignity, protect individual autonomy or agency, and preserve human involvement through oversight or decision-making roles. Each instrument emphasizes aligning technology with social values while augmenting rather than replacing human capabilities. However, they diverge in their operational focus and scope. The Draft AI R&D Guidelines for International Discussion applies this concept specifically as an orientation for research and development outcomes, focusing on preventing systems from unduly manipulating or displacing human decision-making. By contrast, the Social Principles of Human-Centric AI establishes a broad normative principle centered on well-being, basic rights, and system design choices. Taking an organizational approach, the Model AI Governance Framework (Second Edition) treats it as a design and governance principle, explicitly requiring organizations to minimize harm, keep systems safe for individuals, and facilitate meaningful human intervention where necessary.

Synthesised from the 3 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 2 of the 3 instruments that define this term; all are listed under Definitions below.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
Japan	Social Principles of Human-Centric AI	In Force	This definition adds explicit emphasis on augmenting human capabilities, human oversight, design choices protecting autonomy, and alignment with societal values, beyond general well-being and dignity.
Japan	Draft AI R&D Guidelines for International Discussion	Draft	This definition narrows the focus to an orientation specifically for R&D outcomes, highlighting augmentation over manipulation or displacement in decision-making.

Definitions (3)

An orientation for R&D outcomes that prioritizes respect for human dignity, individual autonomy, and prevailing social values, ensuring technologies augment rather than unduly manipulate or displace human decision-making.

Draft AI R&D Guidelines for International DiscussionDefinition 1 of 3

A normative principle that AI systems should serve to augment human capabilities, prioritize human well‑being, and operate in ways that respect human dignity and basic rights; it emphasizes human oversight, design choices that protect autonomy, and alignment with societal values.

Social Principles of Human-Centric AIDefinition 2 of 3

A design and governance principle that AI systems should remain safe for individuals, preserve human dignity and agency, and facilitate meaningful human oversight and intervention; it requires organisations to prioritise minimizing harm and ensuring human roles in decision-making where necessary.

Model AI Governance Framework (Second Edition)Definition 3 of 3

Not to be confused with

Human-centric AI

Human-centric AI refers to AI designed to enhance human well-being and rights, while this term is a broader normative approach or orientation prioritizing dignity, autonomy, and values.

Human-centered AI

Human-centered AI emphasizes design and deployment prioritizing human rights and inclusion, whereas this term stresses augmentation, oversight, and societal alignment in AI systems or R&D.

Questions and answers

What does human-centric mean in Japan's Social Principles of Human-Centric AI?

It means AI systems should augment human capabilities, prioritize well-being, and respect dignity and rights with human oversight and alignment to societal values. This is a non-binding policy.

How is human-centric defined in Japan's Draft AI R&D Guidelines?

It is an orientation for R&D prioritizing respect for human dignity, autonomy, and social values to augment rather than manipulate human decision-making. This is a non-binding draft.

What is distinctive about human-centric in the Model AI Governance Framework?

It is a design and governance principle requiring AI to be safe, preserve dignity and agency, and ensure human oversight while minimizing harm.