ISO/IEC TR 24368:2022

Ethical and Societal concerns of AI

Standard ISO/IEC TR 24368 provides a high-level overview of AI ethical and societal concerns that should play a key role for decision making that occurs at all phases of the AI lifecycle. The standard outlines principles, processes, and methods for approaching and contextualizing AI ethics. It is intended for technologists, regulators, interest groups, and society at large. It is not intended to advocate for any specific set of values (value systems).

This standard also presents an overview of other International Standards that address specific issues arising from AI ethical and societal concerns.

Core Ethical Principles in AI

ISO/IEC 24368 emphasizes a values-neutral approach to ethics, allowing organizations to adapt the standard to their unique cultural and operational contexts. Key principles include:

• Transparency: Ensuring AI systems provide clear and understandable explanations for their decisions.
• Accountability: Defining clear roles and responsibilities for ethical oversight throughout the AI lifecycle.
• Fairness: Promoting inclusivity and equity by mitigating biases in AI models and datasets.
• Privacy and Security: Safeguarding user data and ensuring robust measures against unauthorized access or misuse.

Processes and Methods for Ethical AI Development

The standard outlines actionable methods for integrating ethical considerations, including:

• Ethical Risk Assessments: Identifying potential ethical risks at each stage of AI development and deployment.
• 2. Stakeholder Engagement: Involving diverse perspectives to ensure societal values are reflected in AI systems.
• 3. Iterative Evaluation: Continuously reviewing AI systems to adapt to evolving ethical and societal expectations.

Complementary Standards for Ethical AI

ISO/IEC 24368 serves as a foundational document, referencing other International Standards that address specific ethical concerns, such as ISO/IEC 24028 (AI robustness) and ISO/IEC 27001 (information security). Together, these standards provide a comprehensive framework for responsible AI governance.

Why Ethics Matter in AI

As AI becomes more integral to society, addressing ethical and societal concerns is crucial for building trust, fostering innovation, and ensuring positive outcomes for all stakeholders. ISO/IEC 24368 equips organizations with the tools and knowledge to navigate these challenges responsibly.