AAT-14: AI & Autonomous Technologies Business Case
Mechanisms exist to benchmark capabilities, targeted usage, goals and expected benefits and costs of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT).
Renumbered: Formerly AAT-04 in SCF 2025.4.
Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, AAT-14 was AI & Autonomous Technologies Requirements Definitions. That control is now AAT-21.
Control Question: Does the organization benchmark capabilities, targeted usage, goals and expected benefits and costs of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT)?
General (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| ISO 42001 2023 | 5.1 6.2 6.2(a) 6.2(b) 6.2(c) 6.2(d) 6.2(e) 6.2(f) 6.2(g) A.6.2.3 A.9 A.9.2 A.9.3 A.9.4 A.10.4 |
| NIST AI 100-1 (AI RMF) 1.0 | MAP 1.1 MAP 3.0 MAP 3.1 MAP 3.2 |
Capability Maturity Model
Level 0 — Not Performed
Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.
Level 1 — Performed Informally
Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Technology (AAT) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with AAT domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ AAT-related processes are expected to follow the organization's existing processes (e.g., incident response, asset management, change control and risk assessments). ▪ No formal Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team exists to provide AAT oversight, where the Chief Information Officer (CIO), or similar function, governs technology decisions what is acceptable for AAT within the organization.
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked
Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Technology (AAT) capabilities are requirements-driven, but are not standardized across the entity (e.g., local/regional level consistency). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with AAT domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with AAT domain capabilities are documented and maintained by process owners. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with AAT domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Artificial Intelligence (AI)-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Asset management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel. ▪ AAT is regarded as a technology and governed by the entity's existing IT governance practices. ▪ No formal Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team exists to provide oversight of AAT-related activities. GRC functions are assigned to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Technology (AAT) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with AAT domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with AAT domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ An Artificial Intelligence Governance (AIG) team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain AAT domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of AI governance, risk management and compliance operations (e.g., dedicated AI governance platform). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with AAT domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to benchmark capabilities, targeted usage, goals and expected benefits and costs of AAT.
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 4 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a quantitatively-controlled process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ While it may be possible to develop “metrics-driven” capabilities for this control, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.
Level 5 — Continuously Improving
Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 or Level 4 (if available) criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ Level 5 capabilities should be considered “world-class” where the control builds on Level 4 capabilities, but are continuously improving through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies. ▪ While it may be possible to develop responsive capabilities for this control through the use of AI and/or ML technologies, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.
Assessment Objectives
- AAT-14_A01 capabilities for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) are benchmarked.
- AAT-14_A02 targeted usage for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) is benchmarked.
- AAT-14_A03 goals for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) are benchmarked.
- AAT-14_A04 expected benefits for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) are benchmarked.
- AAT-14_A05 expected costs for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Autonomous Technologies (AAT) are benchmarked.
Evidence Requirements
- E-AAT-04 Business Case for Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Technologies (AAT)
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Documented evidence of a business case for Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Technologies (AAT).
Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Autonomous Technologies Governance
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- AI business case documentation (costs, benefits, risks)
- AI governance program
Small
- Formal AI business case process
- AI governance program
- NIST AI RMF Map function
Medium
- Formal AI business case with risk-benefit analysis
- AI governance program
- NIST AI RMF Map function
- AI procurement review process
Large
- AI business case framework with risk, cost, and benefit analysis
- Executive review and approval of AI business cases
- NIST AI RMF Map function
Enterprise
- Enterprise AI business case and portfolio management
- Board-level AI investment review and approval
- NIST AI RMF Map function at enterprise scale
- AI ROI tracking and reporting