What is ISO 23090-1:2021?

ISO 23090-1:2021 is a technical standard that provides guidelines for the design and development of software systems that use artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This standard focuses on ensuring the safety, reliability, and trustworthiness of AI systems, particularly those that have a significant impact on human lives or critical infrastructure.

Key Principles of ISO 23090-1:2021

The ISO 23090-1:2021 standard is built upon several core principles to address the unique challenges posed by AI systems:

1. Transparency and Explainability

This principle emphasizes the importance of making AI systems transparent and explainable. Organizations should provide clear documentation and descriptions of how the system makes decisions, ensuring accountability and enabling users to understand and trust the system's outcomes.

2. Accountability

Organizations developing AI systems must establish mechanisms to ensure accountability. This may involve defining roles, responsibilities, and processes to monitor and mitigate risks associated with the system's behavior. It also includes providing mechanisms for redress in case of harmful actions or mistakes caused by the AI system.

3. Robustness and Resilience

AI systems need to be designed to be robust and resilient to potential risks and failures. This requires implementing safeguards to handle unexpected situations, such as adversarial attacks or data biases, ensuring the system maintains its intended functionality and behaves safely.

4. Safety and Security

Safety and security are crucial considerations when developing AI systems. Organizations must identify and assess potential risks associated with these systems, including privacy breaches or unintended harmful consequences. Measures should be taken to prevent unauthorized access, protect data integrity, and ensure the system functions within defined safety limits.

Benefits of ISO 23090-1:2021

The adoption of ISO 23090-1:2021 brings several benefits to organizations and society as a whole:

1. Increased Trust

By adhering to this standard, organizations can enhance trust in their AI systems. Transparency, explainability, and accountability measures help users understand and have confidence in how these systems operate, fostering trust and acceptance.

2. Mitigated Risks

ISO 23090-1:2021 helps organizations identify and mitigate risks associated with AI systems early in the development process. By addressing safety, security, and ethical concerns, potential negative impacts can be minimized, safeguarding individuals and critical infrastructure.

3. Compliance and Harmonization

Complying with international standards like ISO 23090-1:2021 enables organizations to demonstrate their commitment to ethical and responsible AI practices. It also promotes harmonization by providing a common framework that facilitates interoperability and exchange of AI systems across different domains.

In summary, ISO 23090-1:2021 is a crucial standard that sets guidelines for the design and development of AI systems. It focuses on transparency, accountability, robustness, safety, and security. By adhering to this standard, organizations can build trust, mitigate risks, and ensure responsible deployment of AI technologies.