Page 14 - AI Standards for Global Impact: From Governance to Action

AI Standards for Global Impact: From Governance to Action

AI standards can help identify and mitigate risks associated with AI deployment, contributing
to better risk management practices and clearer liability allocation. By providing guidelines for
risk assessment and management, standards can help organizations identify potential risks early
and implement measures to mitigate them. This reduces the likelihood of adverse outcomes
and clarifies the allocation of liability in case of failures or incidents involving AI systems.
International standards for AI are valuable tools both for regulators and companies, as they are
developed based on market needs and help to facilitate global trade. Governments around
the world are increasingly introducing policies and regulations to govern AI and related digital
technologies, yet they are still at early stages of development. They also tend to be sector-
specific, and their stringency varies from sector to sector. International standards are seen as a
means to facilitate global trade because they can help harmonize requirements across countries,
reduce duplication, and provide transparency.

The dual role of AI – as a significant consumer of energy and a contributor to GHG emissions
– highlights the importance of integrating sustainability into AI development and deployment.
Standards will be crucial in guiding this integration, helping ensure that AI systems are not
only innovative but also environmentally responsible. By addressing key areas such as product
efficiency, site operations, network performance, and resource management, standards can lay
the groundwork for reducing the environmental footprint of AI. Concurrently, standards can
also enable the strategic application of AI to support and accelerate climate goals, helping to
optimize energy efficiency and enhance resilience through advanced solutions.

Standards development that includes ethical considerations and human rights can help ensure
that AI systems are developed and deployed in ways that respect human dignity and societal
values. This, in turn, enhances public trust and acceptance of AI technologies, paving the way
for broader adoption and positive societal impact.

2