Standard Artificial Intelligence (AI) terminology is vital for clear and consistent communication across the global AI ecosystem, including researchers, developers, policymakers, and the public. Standardization reduces confusion, fosters trust, promotes interoperability between systems, supports effective regulation and international trade, and enables the ethical and responsible development of AI by establishing a shared, agreed-upon language. INCITS/ISO/IEC 22989:2022 (2023)—Information technology – Artificial intelligence – Artificial intelligence concepts and terminology provides a common vocabulary to promote clear communication and understanding across the AI landscape.
Why Standardize AI Concepts & Terminology?
A shared language prevents misunderstandings and ambiguity when discussing complex AI concepts, leading to more productive discussions among diverse stakeholders. Standardized AI concepts and terminology allow for a comparison and classification of different solutions with respect to properties like trustworthiness, robustness, resilience, reliability, accuracy, safety, security, and privacy. This shared AI language, detailed in INCITS/ISO/IEC 22989:2022 (2023), enables stakeholders to select appropriate solutions for their applications and to compare the quality of available solutions on the market.
What Is INCITS/ISO/IEC 22989:2022 (2023)?
INCITS/ISO/IEC 22989:2022 (2023) establishes terminology for AI and describes concepts in the field of AI. This standard can be used in the development of other standards and in support of communications among diverse, interested parties or stakeholders.
INCITS/ISO/IEC 22989:2022 (2023) is applicable to all types of organizations (e.g., commercial enterprises, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations).
How Is AI Used Each Day?
AI is used in countless ways every day, often behind the scenes, enhancing convenience, efficiency, personalization, and decision-making. From the moment you wake up and check your phone to the time you wind down with a movie or music playlist, AI is working behind the scenes to make your experiences smarter, faster, and more personalized.
In fact, according to one survey of 6,000 consumers, while only 33% of people think that they use AI, over 77% use an AI-powered service or device. It is perhaps not surprising that people are unaware of all the ways AI touches their lives. Here’s a breakdown of how AI touches daily life across different domains.
AI at Work
AI is increasingly embedded in the modern workplace, enhancing productivity, streamlining hiring processes, and supporting data-driven decision-making. Productivity tools, such as email filtering systems (e.g., spam detection in Gmail), rely on AI to prioritize and organize communications efficiently. AI-powered meeting assistants, transcription tools, and writing aids further improve communication, content creation, and overall workflow.
In recruitment and HR, AI is used to scan resumes, screen candidates, and even conduct initial interviews through sentiment analysis and predictive analytics, helping organizations identify the best talent faster and more objectively. Additionally, AI plays a crucial role in data analysis and decision support by enabling professionals to rapidly process and interpret large datasets across industries like finance, marketing, healthcare, and logistics, leading to more informed and timely decisions.
AI In the Home
AI is transforming how we interact with our homes, making them more efficient and secure. Smart home devices like thermostats use AI to learn your daily routines and adjust temperature settings automatically, optimizing energy use without sacrificing comfort. Smart speakers leverage AI-powered voice recognition to control music, lighting, and appliances with simple voice commands, creating a seamless and hands-free user experience. Meanwhile, modern home security systems incorporate AI to detect motion, recognize familiar faces, and send real-time threat alerts, providing a higher level of safety and awareness for homeowners.
AI In Personal Health
AI is playing a growing role in personal health, both through consumer devices and professional healthcare tools. Wearables and fitness apps use AI to monitor physical activity, detect potential health issues like atrial fibrillation, and provide personalized health insights that help users stay informed and proactive about their well-being.
In addition, healthcare apps increasingly rely on AI to deliver useful services such as symptom checkers, mental health chatbots, and tailored wellness recommendations. On the clinical side, AI is embedded in diagnostic tools used in hospitals and clinics, helping interpret medical images like X-rays and MRIs with greater speed and accuracy, ultimately supporting more timely and effective medical decision-making.
AI On the Web
AI is deeply embedded in the digital platforms we use every day, shaping how we search, connect, and stay secure online. Search engines rely on AI to understand the intent behind queries, rank the most relevant results, and deliver personalized search experiences tailored to individual users. On social media platforms, AI plays a central role in curating content feeds, recommending friends or pages, detecting harmful or inappropriate posts, and delivering targeted advertisements based on user behavior.
In the realm of cybersecurity and fraud detection, AI continuously monitors online transactions and network activity to identify suspicious behavior, detect potential fraud, and prevent unauthorized access—helping protect both individuals and organizations in real time.
AI Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes, AI is quietly powering critical systems that keep industries running smoothly and efficiently. In banking and finance, AI is widely used for fraud detection, credit scoring, algorithmic trading, and powering customer support bots within banking apps—enhancing both security and customer experience. In logistics and supply chains, AI helps predict delivery times, recommend optimal routes, and manage inventory in real time, ensuring goods move faster and more reliably from warehouses to consumers. In manufacturing, AI-driven robotics and machine learning algorithms support quality control, enable predictive maintenance to prevent costly downtime, and optimize production efficiency, all contributing to smarter and more resilient industrial operations.
Importance of Standardized AI Terminology in Everyday Applications
Standardized AI terminology is crucial for effectively understanding, developing, regulating, and using AI across all the everyday applications previously discussed—whether it is in smart home devices, healthcare apps, finance, social media, or search engines. Ultimately, implementing INCITS/ISO/IEC 22989:2022 (2023) specifications helps promote a shared understanding of complex AI concepts, which is vital for regulators, developers, and the public to create and adopt trustworthy, safe, and beneficial AI systems.
INCITS/ISO/IEC 22989:2022 (2023)—Information technology – Artificial intelligence – Artificial intelligence concepts and terminology is available on the ANSI Webstore.