United States of America: Adopted Guidance on NIST's Plan for Global Engagement on AI Standards (NIST AI 100-5)

On 26 July 2024, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) adopted the Guidance on the Plan for Global Engagement on AI Standards (NIST AI 100-5). The Guidance applies to all sectors involved in Artificial Intelligence (AI) related activities, including standards development organisations, industry, academia, civil society, and foreign governments. It covers AI standards across all scopes, both horizontal (cross-sectoral) and vertical (sector-specific). The Guidance recommends several actions, including engaging in standards work, encouraging diverse stakeholder participation, and promoting global alignment on AI standards. The Guidance prioritises scientifically sound, accessible AI standards that reflect the needs of diverse global stakeholders and are developed through open, transparent, and consensus-driven processes. The Guidance also focuses on foundational work for technical AI standards, pre-standardisation research, and international collaborations, specifically on terminology, testing and validation methods, risk management, security, privacy, and transparency.