Two New AI Ethics Certifications Available from IEEE

It seems that almost every organization is planning to use AI to improve operations. Although autonomous intelligent systems (AIS) can provide significant benefits, they can also be used unethically. This technology can create deepfake photos and videos, and realistic-looking edited photos and videos, that help spread false and misleading information. On the other hand, AI systems trained on biased data can perpetuate discrimination in hiring, lending, and other practices. Surveillance systems that include artificial intelligence can lead to mistaken identity.

These issues have led to concerns about the reliability of artificial intelligence systems (AIS), and it has become important for AI developers and companies to ensure that the systems they use and sell are ethically sound. To help them, the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) launched the IEEE CertifAIEd ethics program, which offers two certifications: one for individuals and one for products.

IEEE CertifAIEd was developed by an interdisciplinary group of AI ethics experts. The program is based on the IEEE AI Ethics Framework and Methodology, which is centered around the pillars of accountability, privacy, transparency, and avoidance of bias. The software includes the standards described in the Ontological Specifications for AI released under Creative Commons licenses.

IEEE is the only international organization that offers these programs, says John Labrador, director of conformity assessment for IEEE SA programs.

Evaluation program details

Professional certification provides individuals with the skills necessary to evaluate AIS in order to adhere to the IEEE Methodology and Ethics Framework.

Those who have at least one year of experience using AI tools or systems in business processes or business functions in their organizations are eligible to apply for the certification.

You don’t have to be a developer or engineer to benefit from the training, Labrador says. He says insurers, policy makers, human resources personnel and others can benefit from it.

“Professionals from almost any industry or any company that uses an AI tool to process business transactions are eligible for this program,” he says.

The training program covers how to ensure that AI systems are open and understandable; Identify and mitigate biases in algorithms; and personal data protection. The curriculum includes use cases. Courses are available in virtual, in-person, or self-study formats.

Learners must take a final exam. Once they successfully pass the exam, they will receive a three-year IEEE Professional Certification, a certification that is recognized, accepted and respected globally, says Labrador.

“With certification, you will become a trusted source for reviewing the AI ​​tools used in your business processes, and you will be qualified to conduct an evaluation,” he says. “It will be incumbent upon the company to have a few IEEE CertifAIEd specialists regularly review its tools to ensure they are consistent with the values ​​defined in our program.”

The self-study exam preparation course is available to IEEE members for $599; It costs $699 for non-members.

Product Reviews

A product certification program evaluates whether an organization’s AI or AIS tool conforms to the IEEE framework and is consistently compliant with legal and regulatory principles such as the European Union’s AI law.

An IEEE-certified evaluator evaluates the product to ensure it meets all standards. There are more than 300 certified residents.

When the assessment is completed, the company submits it to IEEE Conformity Assessment, which certifies the product and issues a certification mark.

“This mark lets customers know that the company has gone through the rigors and is 100 percent compliant with the latest IEEE AI ethical standards,” says Labrador.

“The IEEE CertifiAIEd program can also be viewed as a risk mitigation tool for businesses, reducing the risk of system or process failure by introducing a new AI tool or system into existing business processes,” he says.

You can complete an application to begin the process of getting your product certified.