ETSI, Japan's TTC and Korea's TTA Explore a Global Partnership on AI Standards

A Letter of Intent, not yet a new body

ETSI, the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) of the Republic of Korea and the Telecommunication Technology Committee (TTC) of Japan signed the Letter of Intent on 2 November. The three ICT standardisation organisations have agreed to explore the options for a possible AI Partnership Project, according to ETSI.

The wording is cautious. The document commits the signatories to examining the idea, and does not establish a finished structure. ETSI says the aim is a global, industry-led partnership for AI standardisation, built on the collaborative model of 3GPP.

Why standards are in focus

ETSI's announcement opens with the argument that the world's leading AI companies are increasingly calling for common global standards, so that rapidly advancing AI remains safe, interoperable and human centric. It cites European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said at the Tallinn Digital Summit: "Now, setting standards for Europe is good. But it is our engagement with our trusted partners that makes European standards finally global standards."

The reference to 3GPP is a signal about the intended working method. According to ETSI, that model has shaped the successive generations of global mobile communications.

What ETSI's leaders say

Bettina Funk, Chair of the ETSI General Assembly, said global cooperation is essential in AI standardisation, "even if priorities and expectations are not always the same." She said a partnership with Japan and South Korea offers ETSI members an opportunity to make progress on practical standards that respond to real needs, and could complement existing standardisation efforts.

Markus Mueck, Chair of the ETSI board, said an AI Partnership Project can complement the existing AI ecosystem. In his words, it would provide a platform for industry, academia and research communities to align priorities and accelerate standards development, and to help ensure AI technologies are deployed with the trust, interoperability and scalability needed for widespread adoption.

Jan Ellsberger, ETSI Director General, called the signing an important milestone in strengthening international cooperation on AI standardisation, building on the well-established partnerships between the organisations. He said the aim is to support the responsible development and deployment of AI in Europe and internationally, with a human-centric approach grounded in safety, sustainability, trustworthiness and interoperability. He also invited partners and standards shapers worldwide to join forces in advancing globally aligned standards for trustworthy AI.

About ETSI and what comes next

ETSI is one of only three bodies officially recognised by the European Union as a European Standards Organisation. It is an independent, not-for-profit body dedicated to ICT standardisation, with over 900 member organisations from more than 60 countries across five continents. Its members include large and small private companies, research institutions, academia, governments and public organisations.

For companies and researchers working on AI, the news points to a possible new venue for aligning on technical standards, though nothing has been decided. The source gives no timeline, membership rules or technical scope for the AIPP. The next step is the exploration itself, and ETSI has openly invited other partners worldwide to take part.