Demand and Incentives for External AI Assurance

https://partnershiponai.org/resource/demand-and-incentives-for-external-ai-assurance/

Publish Date: 2026-03-17 16:50:58

Overview of Independent AI Assurance

Despite its critical role for ensuring trust in AI systems, independent external assurance remains underutilized. The role of external assurance is vital for demonstrating AI systems’ safety, quality, and reliability, helping regulators and the public hold AI developers accountable. However, there is often a disconnect between this recognized value and actual demand for independent AI assurance, primarily because assurers frequently face barriers in gaining access to the necessary systems and documentation. The report “Demand and Incentives for External AI Assurance,” from the Partnership on AI (PAI), aims to explore this gap by identifying factors influencing the demand for AI assurance and proposing interventions to scale up its adoption. The report suggests that increased regulation, a greater understanding of AI risks, and policy measures can drive demand for assurance. Moreover, it notes that insurance can contribute to the ecosystem, although it primarily focuses on legal liability rather than all AI risks.

Key Points:

Independent external assurance is crucial for demonstrating AI systems’ safety and reliability, yet demand does not match its recognized value due to access barriers for assurers.
Regulatory, liability, and market expectations drive demand for AI assurance.
For full potential of insurance in the AI assurance ecosystem, there needs to be further development, especially in the short term.
Synergistic relationships between insurance and assurance can be created to address certain AI risks and promote trustworthiness.
Policymakers, insurers, and industry must recognize and implement necessary interventions to boost AI assurance adoption and build public trust.