IEEE P7001: A Proposed Standard on Transparency

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Ethics

Background:

• Autonomous systems require clear accountability and understanding.
• Existing standards lack specific provisions for system transparency.
• Ensuring public trust necessitates verifiable transparency in AI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and detail the IEEE P7001 draft standard.
• To establish transparency as a measurable and testable property for autonomous systems.
• To define distinct levels of transparency tailored to diverse stakeholder needs.

Main Methods:

• Development and structural outline of the IEEE P7001 draft standard.
• Rationale presentation for transparency as a quantifiable attribute.
• Identification and analysis of five key stakeholder groups.
• Normative definition of transparency levels for each stakeholder group.
• Illustrative application via case studies of fictional autonomous systems.

Main Results:

• IEEE P7001 provides a framework for specifying and assessing autonomous system transparency.
• Defined transparency levels cater to users, the public, regulators, investigators, and legal experts.
• Worked examples demonstrate practical implementation of the standard's principles.

Conclusions:

• IEEE P7001 offers a robust methodology for enhancing accountability in autonomous systems.
• The standard promotes greater trust and safety through measurable transparency.
• Standardization of transparency is crucial for the responsible development and deployment of AI.