What is ISO/IEC 42005?
ISO/IEC 42005 provides guidance for organisations conducting AI system impact assessments. These assessments focus on understanding how AI systems — and their foreseeable applications — may affect individuals, groups, or society at large. The standard supports transparency, accountability and trust in AI by helping organisations identify, evaluate and document potential impacts throughout the AI system lifecycle.
Why is ISO/IEC 42005 important?
AI technologies are rapidly reshaping industries, economies and daily life — offering immense benefits, but also raising ethical, social and environmental concerns. ISO/IEC 42005 plays a crucial role in ensuring these impacts are responsibly addressed. By guiding organisations through structured impact assessments, it enables them to align AI development with values such as fairness, safety, and human-centred design. It also supports broader governance and risk management practices, reinforcing trust and societal acceptance of AI systems.
Benefits
Strengthens stakeholder trust through transparent impact documentation
Supports responsible innovation by addressing social and ethical risks
Enhances alignment with governance, risk and compliance frameworks
Improves internal decision-making and accountability across the AI lifecycle
Encourages consistency and clarity in AI-related impact reporting