What to Look Out for When Acquiring AI Systems
Summary
The IEEE Standards Association has developed a new standard, IEEE 3119-2025, aimed at guiding procurement teams in the acquisition of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making systems, especially in high-risk domains such as education, health, and employment within the public sector. This standard, refined over more than three years, now includes six key processes: problem definition, solicitation preparation, vendor evaluation, solution evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract monitoring. The inclusion of an additional process, solicitation preparation, emerged from feedback provided by a European Union agency, emphasizing the need for transparent data requirements and adaptable solicitations in a constantly evolving regulatory environment. This standard complements existing international standards for AI management, ethics, and software acquisition.
Astraea’s Insight
The introduction of the IEEE 3119-2025 standard marks a significant development in the responsible procurement of AI and automated systems in sectors that directly impact public welfare. The inclusion of a solicitation preparation phase is particularly noteworthy as it demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the specific challenges of AI adoption, including ethical considerations and vendor governance maturity. This move by the IEEE, backed by the EU’s input, highlights the global urgency for clear guidelines in the procurement process to ensure that AI deployments are safe, ethical, and adaptable to different regulatory environments. As AI continues to advance, standards like these will be crucial in paving the way for sustainable and trust-building AI integrations across various sectors.