RAISE™
AI governance that anyone can understand
A practical framework for using AI responsibly, no technical background required.
RAISE™ is a practical framework for organizations that use AI in ways that affect people or decisions.
It's designed for leaders, program managers, and oversight teams, no AI expertise required.
The standards stay the same across education, business, nonprofits, and government. Only the context changes.
Organizations are adopting AI quickly, often without clear rules.
RAISE™ exists to answer three questions:
- When should AI be used?
- Who is responsible?
- What happens when something goes wrong?
RAISE™ is designed for:
- Leaders and decision-makers
- Product, program, and operations teams
- Risk, compliance, and governance partners
- Anyone responsible for overseeing AI use, even if you're not technical
You don't need to be an AI expert to use this framework.
RAISE™ is built around two simple ideas:
Guide decisions from the initial idea all the way to daily use.
Every AI system must meet these, no matter what.
Each layer answers a key question, and each standard ensures AI is used safely and fairly.
The 4 Layers Work Together:
Click or hover each layer to learn more
Each layer asks a critical question and ensures something important happens at that stage.
"Why are we using AI, and where should we not use it?"
Before using AI, clearly define what it is meant to do, what it must not do, and who may be affected.
Ensures: This prevents misuse, overreach, and unclear expectations.
HELPFUL TOOLS
- →AI Use-Case Intake Form
- →Human Impact Review
- →Approval & Exception Log
These five standards apply to any AI system, regardless of sector or size.
1Responsible Use
AI is used intentionally, for approved purposes, with clear boundaries and meaningful human oversight.
2Clear Accountability
Every AI system has a named owner. Responsibility doesn't disappear when AI is involved.
3Fair and Inclusive Impact
AI systems are reviewed to reduce bias and avoid harm to people or communities.
4Secure and Reliable Operation
Data is protected, systems are monitored, and problems are addressed quickly.
5Transparency and Explainability
People know when AI is involved and can understand how it influences decisions and outcomes.
Together, these Responsible AI Standards form the foundation of RAISE™.
Not all AI systems carry the same level of risk.
RAISE™ evaluates risk based on:
- Potential harm to people
- Legal or policy exposure
- Operational impact
- Damage to trust or reputation
Higher-risk AI systems require stronger oversight and more frequent review.
RAISE™ is intentionally sector-agnostic.
The same structure and standards apply across:
- Education
- Corporate and enterprise organizations
- Nonprofit and mission-driven organizations
- Public sector and government programs
Only the context changes, the standards remain the same.
Organizations using RAISE™ can expect:
- Safer and more thoughtful use of AI
- Clear accountability instead of confusion
- Increased trust from users and stakeholders
- Documentation that supports audits and reviews
- A governance framework that grows as AI use expands
RAISE™ is an original governance framework developed for RAISE-Labs.
It is designed for use in high-impact, human-centered environments and is intended to be validated through upcoming pilots and applied use cases.
The framework is structured to scale across sectors without losing clarity or accountability.
Interested in piloting or learning more?
RAISE™ is being validated through applied use cases and pilot programs. If you're exploring AI governance or want to learn how this framework might work in your organization, we'd be glad to talk.