Governance

AI Management System (AIMS)

Organizational management system for AI policies and processes.

How the laws define this

Both standards align on using ISO/IEC 42001:2023 as the foundational reference for an AI Management System, treating it as an organizational framework to govern the development, provision, or use of artificial intelligence systems. They agree that an AIMS relies on structured organizational elements to manage AI activities across an entity. However, the instruments diverge in their analytical focus. In ISO/IEC 42001:2023, the definition centers on administrative and procedural components, specifically detailing interrelated elements that establish policies, objectives, leadership, planning, operational controls, monitoring, and continual improvement activities. By contrast, ISO/IEC 5338:2023 frames the concept around outcome-oriented risk management, emphasizing a structured approach to manage risks and opportunities while ensuring responsible development and deployment across the organization. Consequently, compliance readers evaluating ISO/IEC 42001:2023 will find specific operational control processes, whereas ISO/IEC 5338:2023 highlights broader risk, opportunity, and responsible deployment goals.

Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
ISO	ISO/IEC 42001:2023 - Information technology — Artificial intelligence — Management system	In Force	This definition explicitly lists the management system elements as scope, leadership, planning, operational controls, monitoring, and continual improvement activities specific to AI.
ISO	ISO/IEC 5338:2023 — Information technology — Artificial intelligence — AI system life cycle processes	In Force	This definition emphasizes managing risks and opportunities associated with AI to ensure responsible development and deployment across the organization.

What it triggers

ISO/IEC 5338:2023 describes guidance for organizations managing AI system life cycle processes.source

Definitions (2)

The set of interrelated or interacting elements of an organization intended to establish policies, objectives and processes to achieve those objectives in relation to the development, provision or use of AI systems. ISO/IEC 42001 uses AIMS to describe the management-system scope, leadership, planning, operational controls, monitoring and continual improvement activities specific to AI.

ISO/IEC 42001:2023 — Information technology — Artificial intelligence — Management systemDefinition 1 of 2

As defined by ISO/IEC 42001:2023, an AIMS provides a structured approach for organizations to manage the risks and opportunities associated with AI, ensuring responsible development and deployment of AI systems across the organization.

ISO/IEC 5338:2023 — Information technology — Artificial intelligence — AI system life cycle processesDefinition 2 of 2

Not to be confused with

Central AI governance

Central AI governance refers to a specific function or committee overseeing AI, while AIMS is the broader set of policies, objectives, and processes for AI management.

AI system impact assessment

AI system impact assessment evaluates effects of an AI system, whereas AIMS establishes overarching organizational policies and processes for AI.

Questions and answers

What does an AIMS cover according to ISO/IEC 42001?

It covers scope, leadership, planning, operational controls, monitoring, and continual improvement activities specific to AI.

How does ISO/IEC 5338 relate to AIMS?

ISO/IEC 5338 guides AI system life cycle processes and references the AIMS definition from ISO/IEC 42001 as a structured approach for managing AI risks and opportunities.

Is implementing an AIMS mandatory?

No, as ISO/IEC 42001 and ISO/IEC 5338 are voluntary standards, not binding laws. They provide frameworks for organizations to manage AI responsibly.