What is ISO-TR 80400:2017?

ISO-TR 80400:2017, also known as the Technical Report (TR) on Artificial Intelligence (AI), provides guidance on the definition and scope of AI. It aims to establish a common understanding of AI across various sectors and disciplines. This article will explore the key aspects of ISO-TR 80400:2017 and its implications for the development and implementation of AI technologies.

The Scope of ISO-TR 80400:2017

ISO-TR 80400:2017 defines AI as "the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings." It emphasizes that AI technology should be able to perceive the environment, learn, reason, and take appropriate actions. The scope of this technical report includes both autonomous and semi-autonomous AI systems, as well as their interaction with humans.

Key Components of ISO-TR 80400:2017

The report outlines several important components that are crucial for the development and deployment of AI systems. These components include data quality, system design, robustness, explainability, uncertainty, and ethics. For example, data quality refers to the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of the data used to train an AI system. System design focuses on creating AI systems that are safe, secure, and capable of maintaining human trust.

Robustness is another critical component highlighted by ISO-TR 80400:2017. It emphasizes the need for AI systems to be resistant to disturbances, such as adversarial attacks, and to be able to handle unexpected situations. Explainability is also addressed, as it is vital for users to understand how AI systems arrive at their decisions or recommendations. Uncertainty management is crucial, as AI systems must be able to handle ambiguous or incomplete information effectively.

Moreover, the technical report places significant emphasis on ethics in AI. It acknowledges that AI can have significant societal impacts and urges developers to consider ethical principles such as fairness, accountability, transparency, and privacy when designing and deploying AI systems.

Implications for the AI Industry

ISO-TR 80400:2017 has critical implications for the AI industry. It provides industry professionals with a standardized understanding and language around AI, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing. The included guidelines can help organizations develop more reliable, robust, and trustworthy AI systems. Adhering to the recommendations within the technical report can lead to increased user confidence and societal acceptance of AI technologies.

Furthermore, compliance with ISO-TR 80400:2017 can be advantageous when it comes to regulatory requirements. As AI continues to advance and permeate various sectors, regulators may look to these international standards as a benchmark for ensuring safety, ethics, and responsible use of AI technologies.

In conclusion, ISO-TR 80400:2017 plays a significant role in providing guidance on the definition and scope of AI. It highlights important components such as data quality, system design, robustness, explainability, uncertainty, and ethics. Compliance with this technical report can contribute to the development of trustworthy and ethically sound AI systems, fostering user trust and aiding regulatory compliance.