IEEE 7010: A New Standard for Assessing the Well-being Implications of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) enabled products and services are becoming a staple of everyday life. While governments and businesses are eager to enjoy the benefits of AI innovations, the mixed impact of these autonomous and intelligent systems on human well-being has become a pressing issue. The purpose of this article is to review one of the first international standards focused on the social and ethical implications of AI: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering's (IEEE) Standard (Std) 7010-2020 Recommended Practice for Assessing the Impact of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems on Human Well-being. Incorporating well-being factors throughout the lifecycle of AI is both challenging and urgent and IEEE 7010 aims to provide guidance for those who design, deploy, and procure these technologies. Before introducing IEEE 7010, we consider possible benefits of an approach for AI centered around well-being and the measurement of well-being data. Next, we critically examine how the standard relates to approaches and perspectives in place in the AI community. Finally, we indicate where future efforts are needed for IEEE 7010 to better achieve its ambitions.