Why we exist
AI has quickly become part of everyday business. Organisations now use it for marketing, customer service, recruitment, research, analysis, decision-making and many other routine tasks.
That creates real opportunities, but it also introduces risks. These can include inaccurate information, bias, privacy concerns, poor oversight and a lack of transparency around how AI is being used.
A great deal of existing AI guidance is aimed at companies that build or develop AI systems. Most organisations, however, are not developing AI themselves. They are using tools and services created by others.
RAIUC was created for those organisations.
Our aim is to make responsible AI easier to understand and easier to put into practice. We turn broad principles into a clear set of commitments that organisations of any size can apply to the way they use AI in day-to-day work.
What we do
RAIUC provides a free framework built around 10 practical commitments to responsible AI use.
The commitments are written in straightforward language and are designed to be useful without requiring specialist technical knowledge.
They help organisations to:
- Recognise the risks that can come with using AI
- Put appropriate safeguards and human oversight in place
- Use AI fairly, transparently and responsibly
- Protect people, confidential information and personal data
- Build confidence among customers, employees and partners
- Encourage learning and continuous improvement as AI develops
Who RAIUC is for
RAIUC is open to organisations of all sizes.
That includes:
- Small businesses
- Larger companies and organisations
- Individual departments and teams
- Organisations using tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and other AI services
- People responsible for introducing, managing or overseeing the use of AI at work
A simple approach
Responsible use of AI should not depend on having a large technical, legal or compliance team.
For many organisations, the starting point is much simpler: understand where AI is being used, recognise the risks involved, put sensible safeguards in place and make sure people remain accountable for the decisions being made.
RAIUC helps provide that foundation.
The framework explains responsible AI in practical terms and gives organisations a set of commitments they can apply to real-world situations without needing to become AI specialists first.
What certification means
An organisation that agrees to all 10 Responsible AI Commitments can receive RAIUC certification.
Certified organisations are issued with a dated certificate, a unique verification number and a certification mark that can be displayed while the certification remains valid.
Certification lasts for 12 months, after which the organisation must renew its commitment.
RAIUC certification is declaration-based. It records the organisation's commitment to follow the 10 commitments, but it should not be confused with statutory approval, an independent technical audit or a product-safety assessment.
It also does not replace any legal, regulatory, technical or professional obligations that may apply to an organisation.
Our vision
Our vision is to help make responsible AI use a normal part of doing business.
We want organisations to feel confident using AI while remaining clear about the responsibilities that come with it.
Our aim is to have a world in which organisations use AI transparently, thoughtfully and with clear human accountability.
Through RAIUC, we want to help organisations:
- Use AI with greater confidence
- Avoid preventable mistakes and unnecessary risks
- Protect people, information and personal data
- Strengthen transparency and accountability
- Adapt as expectations, regulation and AI technology continue to develop
Our founder
RAIUC was founded by Scottish technology entrepreneur and AI educator Stephen Whitelaw.
Having spent more than four decades working with technology, Stephen recognised the need for simple, independent guidance on the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
With the help of a growing community of contributors and supporters, RAIUC was created to help make responsible AI guidance practical, accessible and available to everyone.
