Get involved | CEN-CENELEC JTC 21

Collaborate for Impact: Join the European AI standardization

As AI technology advances, establishing strong standards is crucial for its responsible and ethical use. AI standardization helps address risks like bias and privacy concerns while fostering innovation.

Your involvement can shape the future of AI! Whether you’re a developer, researcher, human rights specialist, or advocate, your insights are vital in creating guidelines that ensure transparency and accountability. Join us in defining the standards that will guide AI for everyone’s benefit.

How to get engaged in AI standardization

You can take the following first steps to participate in CEN-CENELEC JTC 21 AI standardization:

1. Register with your country’s National Standardization Body (NSB), such as AFNOR in France or DIN in Germany. SMEs are often exempt from annual membership fees, making participation more accessible.
2. Join specific working groups within JTC 21, such as WG 4 which is developing the “AI Trustworthiness framework”. This allows direct involvement in the standardization process.
3. Connect with other stakeholders through CEN-CENELEC JTC 21’s dedicated LinkedIn page. This will help you stay informed about ongoing activities.
4. Engage with the Inclusiveness Task Group created by JTC 21 to facilitate the participation of all relevant stakeholders in AI standardization. This group aims to improve inclusiveness and can help you navigate the process.
5. Consider forming alliances or working groups with other organisations to pool resources and knowledge, as standardization work is voluntary and unpaid.

By taking these initial steps, you can begin to actively participate in shaping AI standards that are accessible and supportive of innovation in the European AI landscape.

How can SMEs ensure their voices are heard in the CEN-CENELEC JTC 21 discussions

SMEs can ensure their voices are heard in CEN-CENELEC JTC 21 discussions through several strategies:

1. Join through industry associations: Organizations like the European DIGITAL SME Alliance have liaison agreements with CEN-CENELEC JTC 21, allowing them to provide input to ongoing discussions. SMEs can work through such associations to voice their concerns and interests.
2. Participate directly: SMEs can register with their country’s National Standardization Body to participate in the standardization process. Many NSBs offer exemptions from annual membership fees for SMEs, making participation more accessible.
3. Engage in working groups: By joining specific working groups within JTC 21, SMEs can directly contribute to the development of standards.
4. Provide feedback: SMEs can bring forward identified themes or points of contention related to AI standardization through their industry associations or directly to JTC 21.
5. Collaborate with other SMEs: Forming alliances or working groups with other SMEs can help pool resources and knowledge, increasing the collective influence on the standardization process.
6. Participate in public consultations: When available, SMEs can engage in public consultations on draft standards to provide their perspective.

By actively participating in these processes, SMEs can help ensure that AI standards are developed thoughtfully and consider the needs and capabilities of smaller businesses, avoiding a “one-size-fits-all” approach in artificial intelligence standardization.

Reasons for joining JTC 21 and the AI standardization work

Joining CEN-CENELEC JTC 21 standardization work offers several advantages for all types of companies and organisations:

1. Direct influence: Participate in specific working groups to directly contribute to the development of AI standards, ensuring for example that SME perspectives are considered.
2. Networking opportunities: Connect with other stakeholders through the working group and plenary meetings (virtual and f-2-f), fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
3. Enhanced competitiveness: The use of standards can help especially SMEs reduce costs, improve innovation capacity, and enhance their competitiveness in the AI market.
4. Regulatory compliance: Contribute to standards that may provide presumption of conformity with the upcoming AI Act, potentially reducing compliance costs.
5. Innovation support: Help shape standards that strengthen innovation and support digital frontrunners in AI development.
6. European market alignment: Participate in developing standards that address European market and societal needs, aligning with EU legislation (AI Act), policies, principles, and values.

By actively participating in JTC 21, SMEs can help ensure that AI standards are developed thoughtfully and consider the needs and capabilities of smaller businesses