The RAI Standard
The Standard is a set of RAI control questions that runs in parallel to the ST4S AI module component.
How was the Standard developed?
The RAI Standard was formulated by reviewing national and international AI frameworks, such as the Australian Government’s Voluntary AI Safety Standard (VAISS) and NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework, among many others. It also responds to recurring concerns expressed in the Australian education sector.
Key RAI controls and treatments have been identified, categorised and added to the standard, with an education-specific focus.
What’s in the RAI Standard?
The Standard comprises 73 control questions and 12 evidence check questions:
- General: 8
- Human Social and Wellbeing: 13
- Transparency: 16
- Fairness: 11
- Accountability: 25
- Evidence check: 12
Controls are tailored to the specific use cases for each product or service. Suppliers need only respond to the:
- Mandatory RAI controls (13 not covered by ST4S)
- Use-case specific controls (between 2–12, not covered by ST4S)
Suppliers are expected to have already completed ST4S AI assessment: any controls shared with ST4S that are relevant to the RAI evaluation are carried over. This provides use-case context for assessors and reduces duplication for suppliers.
About the process
Once suppliers have successfully completed the ST4S assessment, they may be invited to participate in the RAI evaluation pilot.
- Familiar interface: The RAI questionnaire is presented through the same structured front-end interface used in ST4S, making the process familiar and accessible.
- Opportunity for context: The questionnaire includes comments fields, enabling suppliers to provide additional information or context where needed.
- Evidence-based assessment: There are 12 evidence checks designed to substantiate responses to specific controls. What suppliers are asked to provide will align with the control set relevant to their product or service – recognising that each supplier is unique.
As with ST4S, RAI assessors need to ask follow-up questions once responses are received, and work with suppliers to help them reach compliance. An assessor will be in email contact and will collaboratively work though queries.
On completion
When all queries are clarified, the results of the RAI evaluation are published in a report intended to be catalogued for schools to access. This report is circulated to suppliers for sign-off and also to provide the opportunity for suppliers to ask any questions regarding the contents of the report.