What to Look Out for When Acquiring AI Systems
Summary
An IEEE Standards Association working group has developed a draft standard, IEEE 3119-2025, aimed at guiding procurement teams in managing risks associated with artificial intelligence and automated decision systems, especially in high-risk domains such as government sectors like education, health, and employment. The standard has been refined over three years in collaboration with a European Union agency, which provided feedback that influenced significant changes in the standard’s processes. Initially comprising five processes—problem definition, vendor evaluation, solution evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract monitoring—the standard now includes a sixth process: solicitation preparation. This addition emphasizes the importance of transparent data requirements and queries about the maturity of vendor AI governance. This development is crucial for adapting to emerging and dynamic regulatory environments. Additionally, the standard complements existing international standards for AI management, ethics, and life-cycle management.
Astraea’s Insight
The inclusion of a solicitation preparation process in the IEEE 3119-2025 standard is particularly notable as procurement of AI systems becomes increasingly complex due to rapidly evolving technology and regulatory landscapes. By addressing AI-specific solicitation challenges, the standard empowers procurement teams to craft solicitations that are not only technically robust but also adaptable to changing environments, thereby enhancing both the effectiveness and compliance of AI acquisitions. This proactive approach is likely to set a benchmark for future standards, ensuring that AI procurement remains rigorous and ethically sound, ultimately fostering greater trust and accountability in AI deployment across high-stakes public sector applications.