This checklist provides a practical tool for organizations to assess their AI systems and governance practices against the Five Pillars of AI Righteousness. Each pillar is broken down into specific assessment items that can be evaluated on a simple scale.
Instructions: For each item, assess your organization’s current state using the following scale:
✅ Yes — Fully implemented and consistently practiced
⚠️ Partial — Partially implemented or inconsistent
❌ No — Not implemented or not yet addressed
N/A — Not applicable to your organization
Pillar 1: Integrity — Truthful AI
Integrity requires that AI systems be honest, transparent, auditable, and free from deception.
Section 1.1: Truthfulness
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
1.1.1
Does the AI system accurately represent its capabilities and limitations?
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1.1.2
Does the AI system disclose its uncertainty and margin of error?
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1.1.3
Does the AI system avoid generating false or misleading information?
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1.1.4
Does the AI system clearly distinguish between facts and opinions or speculation?
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1.1.5
Are users informed when they are interacting with an AI system?
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Section 1.2: Transparency
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
1.2.1
Is the AI system’s decision-making process documented and explainable?
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1.2.2
Are the AI system’s training data and methodology disclosed?
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1.2.3
Can the AI system’s decisions be traced and audited?
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1.2.4
Are potential biases in the AI system disclosed?
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1.2.5
Is the AI system’s performance monitoring transparent to stakeholders?
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Section 1.3: No Deception
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
1.3.1
Has the AI system been tested for deceptive behavior (e.g., identity fabrication, hiding mistakes)?
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1.3.2
Does the AI system have safeguards against generating deceptive content?
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1.3.3
Is there a mechanism to detect and correct AI deception when it occurs?
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1.3.4
Are users alerted when the AI system has made an error or generated misleading information?
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1.3.5
Does the organization have policies prohibiting the use of AI for deceptive purposes?
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Pillar 2: Justice — Fair AI
Justice requires that AI systems treat all individuals and groups equitably, without unjust bias or discrimination.
Section 2.1: Non-Discrimination
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
2.1.1
Has the AI system been tested for bias against protected groups (race, gender, age, etc.)?
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2.1.2
Does the AI system produce equitable outcomes across different demographic groups?
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2.1.3
Are bias mitigation techniques applied when bias is detected?
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2.1.4
Is the AI system’s training data representative of all affected populations?
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2.1.5
Are there ongoing monitoring processes to detect emerging bias?
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Section 2.2: Equity
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
2.2.1
Does the AI system actively promote equitable outcomes, not just avoid discrimination?
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2.2.2
Are processes in place to correct historical inequities that the AI system may perpetuate?
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2.2.3
Is accessibility considered in the design and deployment of the AI system?
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2.2.4
Are diverse perspectives included in the AI system’s design and testing?
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2.2.5
Does the organization have policies for equitable AI deployment?
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Section 2.3: Procedural Justice
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
2.3.1
Is the AI system’s decision-making process transparent and understandable?
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2.3.2
Are affected parties informed about AI decisions that impact them?
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2.3.3
Is there a mechanism for individuals to challenge or appeal AI decisions?
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2.3.4
Are decisions reviewed by humans when appropriate?
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2.3.5
Is there accountability for AI decisions that affect individuals?
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Pillar 3: Stewardship — Responsible AI Governance
Stewardship requires that humans responsibly develop and govern AI with care, foresight, and accountability.
Section 3.1: Human Oversight
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
3.1.1
Is there meaningful human oversight of AI systems?
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3.1.2
Are humans able to intervene and override AI decisions when necessary?
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3.1.3
Is there a clear escalation path for AI decisions requiring human review?
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3.1.4
Are the roles and responsibilities of human overseers clearly defined?
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3.1.5
Are human overseers adequately trained to supervise AI systems?
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Section 3.2: Accountability
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
3.2.1
Is there clear accountability for AI outcomes?
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3.2.2
Are roles and responsibilities for AI governance clearly defined?
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3.2.3
Is there a designated AI governance lead or committee?
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3.2.4
Is accountability documented and communicated?
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3.2.5
Is there accountability for third-party AI systems used by the organization?
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Section 3.3: Risk Management
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
3.3.1
Have AI risks been identified and assessed?
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3.3.2
Is there a risk management process for AI systems?
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3.3.3
Are risks monitored and reviewed regularly?
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3.3.4
Is there a process for identifying emerging AI risks?
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3.3.5
Are risk mitigation strategies implemented and evaluated?
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Pillar 4: Wisdom — Wise AI Decisions
Wisdom requires that AI decisions reflect sound judgment, foresight, and moral discernment.
Section 4.1: Sound Judgment
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
4.1.1
Are AI decisions based on sound reasoning and appropriate data?
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4.1.2
Does the AI system weigh competing values and interests appropriately?
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4.1.3
Is there a process for evaluating the quality of AI decisions?
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4.1.4
Are alternative courses of action considered before AI decisions are made?
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4.1.5
Does the AI system demonstrate prudence in its decision-making?
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Section 4.2: Foresight
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
4.2.1
Does the AI system anticipate long-term consequences of decisions?
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4.2.2
Has the AI system been tested for potential unintended consequences?
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4.2.3
Are mechanisms in place to detect and respond to unintended consequences?
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4.2.4
Is the AI system’s decision-making adaptive to changing contexts?
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4.2.5
Have potential future scenarios been considered in the AI system’s design?
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Section 4.3: Moral Discernment
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
4.3.1
Does the AI system recognize ethical dimensions of decisions?
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4.3.2
Has the AI system been tested for ethical reasoning capabilities?
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4.3.3
Is there a process for identifying and addressing ethical concerns in AI decisions?
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4.3.4
Are diverse ethical perspectives considered in AI system design?
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4.3.5
Is the AI system’s behavior consistent with the organization’s values?
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Pillar 5: Beneficence — AI for Human Flourishing
Beneficence requires that AI systems actively promote human and environmental well-being.
Section 5.1: Human Well-Being
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
5.1.1
Does the AI system contribute to human well-being?
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5.1.2
Has the AI system’s impact on human health and safety been assessed?
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5.1.3
Are processes in place to maximize positive impacts on human well-being?
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5.1.4
Is the AI system designed to serve human needs and dignity?
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5.1.5
Are vulnerable populations protected from AI-related harm?
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Section 5.2: Environmental Sustainability
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
5.2.1
Has the AI system’s environmental impact been assessed?
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5.2.2
Are measures in place to minimize the AI system’s environmental footprint?
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5.2.3
Is the AI system designed with environmental sustainability in mind?
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5.2.4
Does the organization consider environmental impact in AI procurement decisions?
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5.2.5
Is the organization committed to sustainable AI practices?
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Section 5.3: Common Good
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Assessment Item
Yes
Partial
No
N/A
5.3.1
Does the AI system serve the broader public interest?
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5.3.2
Is the AI system’s impact on society assessed?
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5.3.3
Are mechanisms in place to ensure the AI system benefits society?
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5.3.4
Does the organization consider the common good in AI decision-making?
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5.3.5
Is there stakeholder engagement to ensure the AI system serves the common good?
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Summary Scorecard
Score Calculation
Pillar
Total Items
“Yes” Count
“Partial” Count
“No” Count
Score (%)
Integrity
15
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___
___
___%
Justice
15
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___
___
___%
Stewardship
15
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___%
Wisdom
15
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___
___%
Beneficence
15
___
___
___
___%
Score Interpretation
Score Range
Rating
Description
80–100%
Righteous
Exemplary performance across all pillars
60–79%
Proficient
Solid performance with some areas for improvement
40–59%
Developing
Foundational practices in place; significant opportunities exist