diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 3b5050e59f9..3a9af7a3094 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ This project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.htm
 - Slice attributes of `attribute` package are now comparable based on their value, not instance. (#3108 #3252)
 - Prometheus exporter will now cumulatively sum histogram buckets. (#3281)
 - Export the sum of each histogram datapoint uniquely with the `go.opentelemetry.io/otel/exporters/otlpmetric` exporters. (#3284, #3293)
+- Recorded values for asynchronous counters (`Counter` and `UpDownCounter`) are interpreted as exact, not incremental, sum values by the metric SDK. (#3350, #3278)
 - UpDownCounters are now correctly output as prometheus gauges in the `go.opentelemetry.io/otel/exporters/prometheus` exporter. (#3358)
 
 ## [1.11.0/0.32.3] 2022-10-12
diff --git a/metric/instrument/asyncfloat64/asyncfloat64.go b/metric/instrument/asyncfloat64/asyncfloat64.go
index 370715f694c..5c8260ceb6f 100644
--- a/metric/instrument/asyncfloat64/asyncfloat64.go
+++ b/metric/instrument/asyncfloat64/asyncfloat64.go
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ type InstrumentProvider interface {
 
 // Counter is an instrument that records increasing values.
 type Counter interface {
-	// Observe records the state of the instrument.
+	// Observe records the state of the instrument to be x. The value of x is
+	// assumed to be the exact Counter value to record.
 	//
 	// It is only valid to call this within a callback. If called outside of the
 	// registered callback it should have no effect on the instrument, and an
@@ -47,7 +48,8 @@ type Counter interface {
 
 // UpDownCounter is an instrument that records increasing or decreasing values.
 type UpDownCounter interface {
-	// Observe records the state of the instrument.
+	// Observe records the state of the instrument to be x. The value of x is
+	// assumed to be the exact UpDownCounter value to record.
 	//
 	// It is only valid to call this within a callback. If called outside of the
 	// registered callback it should have no effect on the instrument, and an
@@ -59,7 +61,7 @@ type UpDownCounter interface {
 
 // Gauge is an instrument that records independent readings.
 type Gauge interface {
-	// Observe records the state of the instrument.
+	// Observe records the state of the instrument to be x.
 	//
 	// It is only valid to call this within a callback. If called outside of the
 	// registered callback it should have no effect on the instrument, and an
diff --git a/metric/instrument/asyncint64/asyncint64.go b/metric/instrument/asyncint64/asyncint64.go
index 41a561bc4a2..b07409c7931 100644
--- a/metric/instrument/asyncint64/asyncint64.go
+++ b/metric/instrument/asyncint64/asyncint64.go
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ type InstrumentProvider interface {
 
 // Counter is an instrument that records increasing values.
 type Counter interface {
-	// Observe records the state of the instrument.
+	// Observe records the state of the instrument to be x. The value of x is
+	// assumed to be the exact Counter value to record.
 	//
 	// It is only valid to call this within a callback. If called outside of the
 	// registered callback it should have no effect on the instrument, and an
@@ -47,7 +48,8 @@ type Counter interface {
 
 // UpDownCounter is an instrument that records increasing or decreasing values.
 type UpDownCounter interface {
-	// Observe records the state of the instrument.
+	// Observe records the state of the instrument to be x. The value of x is
+	// assumed to be the exact UpDownCounter value to record.
 	//
 	// It is only valid to call this within a callback. If called outside of the
 	// registered callback it should have no effect on the instrument, and an
@@ -59,7 +61,7 @@ type UpDownCounter interface {
 
 // Gauge is an instrument that records independent readings.
 type Gauge interface {
-	// Observe records the state of the instrument.
+	// Observe records the state of the instrument to be x.
 	//
 	// It is only valid to call this within a callback. If called outside of the
 	// registered callback it should have no effect on the instrument, and an
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/sum.go b/sdk/metric/internal/sum.go
index da8bf34de82..61b8d20860e 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/sum.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/sum.go
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ func newValueMap[N int64 | float64]() *valueMap[N] {
 	return &valueMap[N]{values: make(map[attribute.Set]N)}
 }
 
+func (s *valueMap[N]) set(value N, attr attribute.Set) { // nolint: unused  // This is indeed used.
+	s.Lock()
+	s.values[attr] = value
+	s.Unlock()
+}
+
 func (s *valueMap[N]) Aggregate(value N, attr attribute.Set) {
 	s.Lock()
 	s.values[attr] += value
@@ -49,6 +55,10 @@ func (s *valueMap[N]) Aggregate(value N, attr attribute.Set) {
 // Each aggregation cycle is treated independently. When the returned
 // Aggregator's Aggregation method is called it will reset all sums to zero.
 func NewDeltaSum[N int64 | float64](monotonic bool) Aggregator[N] {
+	return newDeltaSum[N](monotonic)
+}
+
+func newDeltaSum[N int64 | float64](monotonic bool) *deltaSum[N] {
 	return &deltaSum[N]{
 		valueMap:  newValueMap[N](),
 		monotonic: monotonic,
@@ -106,6 +116,10 @@ func (s *deltaSum[N]) Aggregation() metricdata.Aggregation {
 // Each aggregation cycle is treated independently. When the returned
 // Aggregator's Aggregation method is called it will reset all sums to zero.
 func NewCumulativeSum[N int64 | float64](monotonic bool) Aggregator[N] {
+	return newCumulativeSum[N](monotonic)
+}
+
+func newCumulativeSum[N int64 | float64](monotonic bool) *cumulativeSum[N] {
 	return &cumulativeSum[N]{
 		valueMap:  newValueMap[N](),
 		monotonic: monotonic,
@@ -151,3 +165,47 @@ func (s *cumulativeSum[N]) Aggregation() metricdata.Aggregation {
 	}
 	return out
 }
+
+// NewPrecomputedDeltaSum returns an Aggregator that summarizes a set of
+// measurements as their pre-computed arithmetic sum. Each sum is scoped by
+// attributes and the aggregation cycle the measurements were made in.
+//
+// The monotonic value is used to communicate the produced Aggregation is
+// monotonic or not. The returned Aggregator does not make any guarantees this
+// value is accurate. It is up to the caller to ensure it.
+//
+// The output Aggregation will report recorded values as delta temporality. It
+// is up to the caller to ensure this is accurate.
+func NewPrecomputedDeltaSum[N int64 | float64](monotonic bool) Aggregator[N] {
+	return &precomputedSum[N]{settableSum: newDeltaSum[N](monotonic)}
+}
+
+// NewPrecomputedCumulativeSum returns an Aggregator that summarizes a set of
+// measurements as their pre-computed arithmetic sum. Each sum is scoped by
+// attributes and the aggregation cycle the measurements were made in.
+//
+// The monotonic value is used to communicate the produced Aggregation is
+// monotonic or not. The returned Aggregator does not make any guarantees this
+// value is accurate. It is up to the caller to ensure it.
+//
+// The output Aggregation will report recorded values as cumulative
+// temporality. It is up to the caller to ensure this is accurate.
+func NewPrecomputedCumulativeSum[N int64 | float64](monotonic bool) Aggregator[N] {
+	return &precomputedSum[N]{settableSum: newCumulativeSum[N](monotonic)}
+}
+
+type settableSum[N int64 | float64] interface {
+	set(value N, attr attribute.Set)
+	Aggregation() metricdata.Aggregation
+}
+
+// precomputedSum summarizes a set of measurements recorded over all
+// aggregation cycles directly as an arithmetic sum.
+type precomputedSum[N int64 | float64] struct {
+	settableSum[N]
+}
+
+// Aggregate records value directly as a sum for attr.
+func (s *precomputedSum[N]) Aggregate(value N, attr attribute.Set) {
+	s.set(value, attr)
+}
diff --git a/sdk/metric/internal/sum_test.go b/sdk/metric/internal/sum_test.go
index 8a838d3f23c..eda320070ff 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/internal/sum_test.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/internal/sum_test.go
@@ -54,6 +54,26 @@ func testSum[N int64 | float64](t *testing.T) {
 		eFunc = cumuExpecter[N](incr, mono)
 		t.Run("NonMonotonic", tester.Run(NewCumulativeSum[N](mono), incr, eFunc))
 	})
+
+	t.Run("PreComputedDelta", func(t *testing.T) {
+		incr, mono, temp := monoIncr, true, metricdata.DeltaTemporality
+		eFunc := preExpecter[N](incr, mono, temp)
+		t.Run("Monotonic", tester.Run(NewPrecomputedDeltaSum[N](mono), incr, eFunc))
+
+		incr, mono = nonMonoIncr, false
+		eFunc = preExpecter[N](incr, mono, temp)
+		t.Run("NonMonotonic", tester.Run(NewPrecomputedDeltaSum[N](mono), incr, eFunc))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("PreComputedCumulative", func(t *testing.T) {
+		incr, mono, temp := monoIncr, true, metricdata.CumulativeTemporality
+		eFunc := preExpecter[N](incr, mono, temp)
+		t.Run("Monotonic", tester.Run(NewPrecomputedCumulativeSum[N](mono), incr, eFunc))
+
+		incr, mono = nonMonoIncr, false
+		eFunc = preExpecter[N](incr, mono, temp)
+		t.Run("NonMonotonic", tester.Run(NewPrecomputedCumulativeSum[N](mono), incr, eFunc))
+	})
 }
 
 func deltaExpecter[N int64 | float64](incr setMap, mono bool) expectFunc {
@@ -61,7 +81,7 @@ func deltaExpecter[N int64 | float64](incr setMap, mono bool) expectFunc {
 	return func(m int) metricdata.Aggregation {
 		sum.DataPoints = make([]metricdata.DataPoint[N], 0, len(incr))
 		for a, v := range incr {
-			sum.DataPoints = append(sum.DataPoints, point[N](a, N(v*m)))
+			sum.DataPoints = append(sum.DataPoints, point(a, N(v*m)))
 		}
 		return sum
 	}
@@ -74,7 +94,18 @@ func cumuExpecter[N int64 | float64](incr setMap, mono bool) expectFunc {
 		cycle++
 		sum.DataPoints = make([]metricdata.DataPoint[N], 0, len(incr))
 		for a, v := range incr {
-			sum.DataPoints = append(sum.DataPoints, point[N](a, N(v*cycle*m)))
+			sum.DataPoints = append(sum.DataPoints, point(a, N(v*cycle*m)))
+		}
+		return sum
+	}
+}
+
+func preExpecter[N int64 | float64](incr setMap, mono bool, temp metricdata.Temporality) expectFunc {
+	sum := metricdata.Sum[N]{Temporality: temp, IsMonotonic: mono}
+	return func(int) metricdata.Aggregation {
+		sum.DataPoints = make([]metricdata.DataPoint[N], 0, len(incr))
+		for a, v := range incr {
+			sum.DataPoints = append(sum.DataPoints, point(a, N(v)))
 		}
 		return sum
 	}
diff --git a/sdk/metric/pipeline.go b/sdk/metric/pipeline.go
index 83de81ccc61..db70003b1d5 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/pipeline.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/pipeline.go
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ func (i *inserter[N]) cachedAggregator(inst view.Instrument, u unit.Unit) (inter
 	// still be applied and a warning should be logged.
 	i.logConflict(id)
 	return i.cache.LookupAggregator(id, func() (internal.Aggregator[N], error) {
-		agg, err := i.aggregator(inst.Aggregation, id.Temporality, id.Monotonic)
+		agg, err := i.aggregator(inst.Aggregation, inst.Kind, id.Temporality, id.Monotonic)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -322,16 +322,31 @@ func (i *inserter[N]) instrumentID(vi view.Instrument, u unit.Unit) instrumentID
 	return id
 }
 
-// aggregator returns a new Aggregator matching agg, temporality, and
+// aggregator returns a new Aggregator matching agg, kind, temporality, and
 // monotonic. If the agg is unknown or temporality is invalid, an error is
 // returned.
-func (i *inserter[N]) aggregator(agg aggregation.Aggregation, temporality metricdata.Temporality, monotonic bool) (internal.Aggregator[N], error) {
+func (i *inserter[N]) aggregator(agg aggregation.Aggregation, kind view.InstrumentKind, temporality metricdata.Temporality, monotonic bool) (internal.Aggregator[N], error) {
 	switch a := agg.(type) {
 	case aggregation.Drop:
 		return nil, nil
 	case aggregation.LastValue:
 		return internal.NewLastValue[N](), nil
 	case aggregation.Sum:
+		switch kind {
+		case view.AsyncCounter, view.AsyncUpDownCounter:
+			// Asynchronous counters and up-down-counters are defined to record
+			// the absolute value of the count:
+			// https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification/blob/main/specification/metrics/api.md#asynchronous-counter-creation
+			switch temporality {
+			case metricdata.CumulativeTemporality:
+				return internal.NewPrecomputedCumulativeSum[N](monotonic), nil
+			case metricdata.DeltaTemporality:
+				return internal.NewPrecomputedDeltaSum[N](monotonic), nil
+			default:
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: %s(%d)", errUnknownTemporality, temporality.String(), temporality)
+			}
+		}
+
 		switch temporality {
 		case metricdata.CumulativeTemporality:
 			return internal.NewCumulativeSum[N](monotonic), nil
diff --git a/sdk/metric/pipeline_registry_test.go b/sdk/metric/pipeline_registry_test.go
index 45bc23ccb18..eb27da9824e 100644
--- a/sdk/metric/pipeline_registry_test.go
+++ b/sdk/metric/pipeline_registry_test.go
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ func testCreateAggregators[N int64 | float64](t *testing.T) {
 			reader:   NewManualReader(WithTemporalitySelector(deltaTemporalitySelector)),
 			views:    []view.View{defaultAggView},
 			inst:     instruments[view.AsyncCounter],
-			wantKind: internal.NewDeltaSum[N](true),
+			wantKind: internal.NewPrecomputedDeltaSum[N](true),
 			wantLen:  1,
 		},
 		{
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func testCreateAggregators[N int64 | float64](t *testing.T) {
 			reader:   NewManualReader(WithTemporalitySelector(deltaTemporalitySelector)),
 			views:    []view.View{defaultAggView},
 			inst:     instruments[view.AsyncUpDownCounter],
-			wantKind: internal.NewDeltaSum[N](false),
+			wantKind: internal.NewPrecomputedDeltaSum[N](false),
 			wantLen:  1,
 		},
 		{
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ func testCreateAggregators[N int64 | float64](t *testing.T) {
 			reader:   NewManualReader(),
 			views:    []view.View{{}},
 			inst:     instruments[view.AsyncCounter],
-			wantKind: internal.NewCumulativeSum[N](true),
+			wantKind: internal.NewPrecomputedCumulativeSum[N](true),
 			wantLen:  1,
 		},
 		{
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ func testCreateAggregators[N int64 | float64](t *testing.T) {
 			reader:   NewManualReader(),
 			views:    []view.View{{}},
 			inst:     instruments[view.AsyncUpDownCounter],
-			wantKind: internal.NewCumulativeSum[N](false),
+			wantKind: internal.NewPrecomputedCumulativeSum[N](false),
 			wantLen:  1,
 		},
 		{