Global Artificial Intelligence Systems (AIS) Flourishing Initiative

Global AI Systems Flourishing Initiative

Advancing Technology for Humanity through Flourishing-Centred AI

 

About the Activity

The goal of the Global AI Systems Flourishing Initiative is to continue and proliferate IEEE’s foundational work on wellbeing and technology—including 7010™-2020 (Recommended Practice for Assessing the Impact of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems on Human Well-Being) and related efforts, such as the wellbeing chapter of Ethically Aligned Design.

Aligned with IEEE’s mission of Advancing Technology for Humanity, the Initiative establishes flourishing as a practical, systems-level framework for responsible technology and translates it into methods, metrics, and tools that can be applied throughout the full lifecycle of autonomous and intelligent systems (AIS).

It supports AIS creators—including corporations, engineers, data scientists, researchers, policymakers, educators, and practitioners—by providing the resources, knowledge, and implementation guidance needed to design, evaluate, and govern AI systems that measurably strengthen human wellbeing and ecological sustainability, now and into the future.

 

Why This Initiative Exists

The central question is no longer whether AI will shape the future, but what kind of future it will enable—and for whom.

Artificial intelligence now influences nearly every aspect of society, including healthcare, education, civic participation, employment, and environmental systems. As AI becomes embedded in critical infrastructure, its effects extend beyond individual applications to shape social, institutional, and ecological conditions over time. This shift requires evaluating AI systems beyond performance, to include their effects on the systems they shape.

The Initiative uses flourishing as an integrative systems-level framework that links human mental and physical wellbeing with the broader social, institutional, and ecological conditions that sustain it. This perspective ensures that significant externalities—such as impacts on mental health, social cohesion, trust, equity, and environmental sustainability—are understood, measured, and intentionally designed for.

This Initiative responds to a growing global imperative: technologies must not only minimize harm, but demonstrably contribute to the systems and conditions that enable sustainable human and ecological wellbeing. Meeting this requires a research-informed, standards-aligned approach to understanding and governing AI’s broader impacts.

 

Why Flourishing?

Flourishing provides a comprehensive, outcomes-focused framework for assessing whether AI systems genuinely support and sustain the conditions for wellbeing of individuals, communities, and the planet. It functions both as a strategic orientation—a north star for responsible design, development, deployment, and governance—and as a measurable standard for evaluating AI’s real-world impacts across social, institutional, and ecological domains.

Flourishing also offers a rigorous, systems-level method for recognizing externalities that traditional AI performance metrics—such as accuracy, efficiency, and scalability—are not designed to capture, including impacts on mental health, social cohesion, institutional trust, equity, environmental sustainability, and long-term human development.

A flourishing-centred approach provides:

  • Holistic evaluation frameworks grounded in interdisciplinary research
  • Early-stage indicators that guide decisions throughout the AI lifecycle
  • Shared standards and reference points that align stakeholders across industry, policy, research, and civil society
  • Operational metrics that enable measurement of meaningful progress
  • Foundational principles that support long-term societal and ecological resilience
What We Do

The Initiative develops the frameworks, metrics, resources, and collaborative processes needed to operationalize flourishing across the AI lifecycle. Our work supports organizations and institutions in addressing both the intended outcomes and the wider systemic effects of AI as it shapes social, institutional, and ecological environments.

1. Frameworks & Methodologies

We will produce research-informed materials that help organizations integrate well-being and sustainability considerations into AI design, deployment, and governance, including:

  • Implementation guidelines and technical reference materials
  • Conceptual and methodological frameworks grounded in systems thinking
  • Standards-oriented documents and proposals aligned with IEEE 7010™ and related efforts
2. Indicators and Measurement approaches

We aggregate and recommend indicators and metrics that support:

  • Research and application of well-being metrics in AIS development
  • Policymakers incorporating well-being-aligned principles into regulatory and standards processes
  • Community-level institutions adapting well-being considerations to local contexts (e.g., schools, municipalities, civil society organizations)
3. Implementation Resources

To support real-world application, we create:

  • Infographics, educational materials, and communication tools
  • Practical guides for AI/ML practitioners addressing risks, externalities, and potential misuse
  • Reference documents, datasets, or code where appropriate to assist evaluation and adoption
4. Workshops, Engagement, and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

We design and deliver:

  • Workshops (virtual or in-person) grounded in systems thinking, value-sensitive design, and participatory methods
  • Multi-stakeholder sessions that surface diverse perspectives and enable collective insight
  • Events such as webinars, conferences, and technical discussions that advance understanding and alignment
5. Standards-Relevant Contributions

Where appropriate, the initiative prepares:

  • Proposals and supporting material to extend the work of IEEE 7010™
  • Recommendations and insights for future standards or guidelines related to well-being and flourishing
Who This Is For

This Initiative welcomes participants from across sectors, disciplines, and regions who are committed to advancing humanity-centred AI. Because AI systems shape social, institutional, and environmental conditions, diverse expertise and perspectives are essential. Participation is open globally and does not require IEEE membership.

Participants may include:

  • Technical & Scientific Experts: AI/ML practitioners, social scientists, climate and environmental researchers, behavioral scientists
  • Human-Centred & Well-being Specialists: Well-being researchers, health professionals, philosophers, theologians, arts and humanities scholars
  • Governance & Implementation Stakeholders: Legal and policy experts, corporate representatives, members of IEEE P7010 and related working groups
  • Community & Education Representatives: Community organizations, educators, students, and worker representatives
  • Systems & Futures Practitioners: Futurists and change experts focused on long-term societal resilience

Participants may engage through:

  • Working groups contributing to frameworks, metrics, and standards
  • Research collaborations and co-authored publications
  • Networking Sessions
  • Webinars, workshops, and in-person events
  • Pilot projects testing emerging tools and methodologies
  • Multi-stakeholder consultations and roundtables
How to get involved

To learn more about the program and how to join the The Global Artificial Intelligence Systems (AIS) Flourishing Initiative, please express your interest by sending an inquiry to the activity chair whose information can be found in the Contacts section.