HCAI-CAIA Charter

HCAI-CAIA (Human Centric Artificial Intelligence – Council for Artificial Intelligence Assurance) is an independent assurance institution focused on lawful, human-centric AI. We provide standards and phased certification that allow organizations to demonstrate—through verifiable evidence—that their AI systems are responsibly governed and aligned with declared legal and ethical constraints.

No. HCAI-CAIA is not a regulator and has no enforcement powers. We do not issue laws, impose penalties, or mandate compliance. Our role is limited to assurance—certifying evidence and readiness so that existing authorities and institutions can act within their own mandates.

As AI systems increasingly influence economies, public services, and critical infrastructure, trust can no longer rely on intent or claims alone. Assurance provides verifiable proof that systems are governed responsibly and operate within declared constraints, helping reduce systemic risk and protect people, institutions, and sovereignty. 

HCAI-CAIA engages with governments and public institutions, financial and economic institutions, enterprises and infrastructure operators, researchers and standards communities, and individual experts contributing to governance and assurance. Participation is voluntary and open to those aligned with our Charter.

We publish an assurance framework and Charter, operate phased certification programs, review evidence of governance alignment and assurance readiness, and support pilot participation. All services are voluntary, time-bound, and evidence-based.

Certification is a voluntary, evidence-based attestation that an organization or system aligns with the HCAI-CAIA Charter and assurance framework for a defined scope and period. It does not grant legal approval, replace regulation, or guarantee outcomes.

The assurance mark is a visible signal that an organization has undergone HCAI-CAIA’s certification process and demonstrated verified alignment with human-centric and lawful AI governance principles. It represents transparency and responsibility—not authorization or immunity.

No. Certification does not replace legal or regulatory obligations. It complements existing frameworks by providing structured, verifiable evidence that can support compliance, oversight, and risk assessment.

No. Participation in HCAI-CAIA is entirely voluntary and may be discontinued at any time. Certifications are time-bound and expire naturally if not renewed. There are no penalties or sanctions for non-participation or exit. 

HCAI-CAIA is designed to preserve human agency and national sovereignty. We do not centralize control, dictate policy, or impose standards. Instead, we enable trust through evidence—allowing people, institutions, and nations to retain full authority over decisions and outcomes.

 No. HCAI-CAIA is not organized as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It is constituted as an independent public-interest assurance institution and is funded through professional assurance services rather than donations or grants. This structure is intentional and designed to preserve independence, avoid donor or sponsor influence, and ensure long-term sustainability. HCAI-CAIA does not engage in advocacy or lobbying and does not exercise regulatory or enforcement authority. 

 HCAI-CAIA assurance evaluates evidence showing whether accountability mechanisms existed and operated within defined boundaries during a specific period of time. It makes human responsibility visible and examinable. 

 No. Assurance does not guarantee outcomes, safety, fairness, legality, or correctness. It does not prevent harm or eliminate risk. 

 No. Assurance is not approval, endorsement, or authorization. It does not certify compliance or replace regulatory, legal, or governance processes. 

 Responsibility always remains with people and institutions—those who design, deploy, operate, govern, and rely on AI systems. Assurance does not transfer accountability to HCAI-CAIA. 

 Yes. All assurance is time-bound and scope-limited. It expires automatically and may become invalid if systems or conditions change. 

 Existing legal, regulatory, and institutional processes remain responsible for investigation and remedy. HCAI-CAIA does not enforce, adjudicate, or assign blame. 

 No. HCAI-CAIA does not build, deploy, host, or control AI systems. It evaluates evidence provided by system owners and operators. 

 AI systems evolve over time and operate in complex environments. Assurance reflects what can be proven within a defined scope and time—it cannot eliminate uncertainty or misuse. 

 Restraint preserves independence and trust. HCAI-CAIA exists to support human accountability, not to replace human decision-making or accumulate power. 

Assurance provides proof that accountability mechanisms existed when AI systems made consequential decisions—it does not assume responsibility for those decisions.