Voluntary AI Frameworks: A Litigation Trap for Unwary Organizations

Internal audit and assurance professionals must recognize that seemingly 'voluntary' AI frameworks, like the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (RMF), are rapidly evolving into de facto legal standards of care in U.S. courtrooms. Organizations failing to demonstrate alignment with these frameworks risk significant legal exposure in negligence cases, even as federal guidance shifts. This creates a critical need for robust AI governance and demonstrable compliance, especially given the divergence between federal and state-level expectations regarding AI ethics and impact.