AI Impact Assessment (AIIA)
An AI Impact Assessment (AIIA) evaluates the potential risks, benefits, and compliance implications of artificial intelligence systems before and during deployment.
What is AI Impact Assessment (AIIA)?
An AI Impact Assessment (AIIA) is a structured evaluation used to identify, analyze, and mitigate potential risks arising from AI systems. It examines factors such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and human oversight. AIIAs help organizations demonstrate responsible AI practices, document decision-making processes, and ensure compliance with governance requirements such as the EU AI Act and OECD AI Principles.
Why AI Impact Assessment (AIIA) matters
Conducting an AIIA ensures AI systems align with ethical, legal, and operational standards. It supports trust and accountability by providing a documented review of potential impacts on individuals and society.
Regulators increasingly require AIIAs under frameworks like the EU AI Act, which mandates risk and impact evaluations for high-risk AI systems. Standards such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework and OECD AI Principles emphasize transparency, fairness, and oversight.
Completing AIIAs early in the development process helps organizations prevent bias, enhance explainability, and reduce the likelihood of compliance violations or reputational harm.
How AI Impact Assessment (AIIA) is used in practice
- Evaluating potential risks of bias, discrimination, or unintended harm before deploying AI models
- Documenting how AI systems align with organizational policies and regulatory requirements
- Assessing transparency and explainability controls for decision-making models
- Conducting stakeholder consultations to identify ethical and social implications
- Establishing governance processes for ongoing monitoring and accountability
Related laws & standards
- EU Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act)
- NIST AI Risk Management Framework (NIST AI RMF)
- EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- ISO/IEC 42001:2023
How OneTrust helps with AI Impact Assessment (AIIA)
OneTrust enables organizations to perform and document AI Impact Assessments (AIIAs) using configurable workflows, evidence tracking, and integrated risk management. The platform streamlines assessment creation, ensures alignment with global frameworks, and enhances transparency across teams managing AI systems.
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FAQs about AI Impact Assessment (AIIA)
An AIIA focuses on identifying and mitigating risks related to the ethical, social, and operational use of AI, while a DPIA centers on personal data processing under privacy laws like the GDPR.
AIIAs are typically led by AI governance, compliance, and data governance teams, working closely with legal, risk, and privacy teams. The Chief Data Officer or AI governance lead often oversees the process.
The EU AI Act requires high-risk AI systems to undergo documented impact assessments covering bias, transparency, and human oversight. AIIAs provide structured evidence and transparency for conformity evaluations.
Related glossary terms
- AI Governance
- AI Explainability
- AI Fairness
- AI Ethics
- Data Protection Impact Assessment
