The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published a new international standard designed to help organisations evaluate the societal, ethical and operational impacts of AI systems. The new framework, Information technology – Artificial intelligence – AI system impact assessment (BS ISO/IEC 42005:2025), is the first of its kind to offer globally recognised guidance for assessing how AI technologies affect individuals, communities and society at large.
As the adoption of AI accelerates across sectors – from healthcare and retail to public services – there is mounting regulatory scrutiny and public concern regarding the risks and unintended consequences of AI, particularly generative AI. The recent introduction of the EU AI Act and high-profile incidents involving AI systems have underscored the urgent need for transparent and consistent assessment tools.
The new BSI standard provides a structured, internationally accepted framework that helps organisations demonstrate accountability, comply with emerging legislation and mitigate reputational and legal risks.
BS ISO/IEC 42005 distinguishes itself from general AI governance frameworks by offering a detailed, step-by-step methodology for evaluating both the internal and external impacts of AI systems. The standard enables users to assess foreseeable uses and potential misuses of AI, analyse direct and indirect effects on individuals, groups and society, integrate impact assessments into broader AI management systems, such as BS ISO/IEC 42001, and document and review the assessment process throughout the AI system lifecycle.
David Cuckow, Director of Digital at BSI, said, “AI is starting to shape all aspects of society, from healthcare to public service delivery and beyond, but people and businesses need confidence about its societal, ethical and operational impacts. The new standard BS ISO/IEC 42005 marks a pivotal step towards trustworthy AI, by putting people’s rights, dignity, and well-being at the core of AI assessment. For the first time, organisations have a globally endorsed roadmap for understanding and mitigating the real-world impacts of AI systems and will be empowered to align innovation with accountability to ensure that as AI evolves, so too does our commitment to ethical, human-centred development.”
