Purpose of the ASIC‑Prep Pathway

The AI ecosystem contains a wide range of builders — from student founders to early‑stage startups to internal innovation teams. Many of these teams are committed to responsible development but lack the governance maturity required for full certification.

ASIC‑Prep provides:

• a structured readiness assessment

• a clear roadmap toward compliance

• foundational governance practices

• early alignment with ATIC’s integrity expectations

It is the bridge between experimentation and accountability.

What ASIC‑Prep Includes

ASIC‑Prep is a structured, one‑time program that provides the foundational elements required for future certification.

Readiness Assessment

A structured evaluation of the team’s current governance maturity, documentation, and system integrity practices.

Gap Analysis

A clear, authoritative breakdown of what must be improved before pursuing ASIC certification.

Governance Roadmap

A tailored plan outlining the steps required to reach certification readiness, aligned with ATIC’s standards.

Access to Guidance Materials

Teams receive non‑credentialed access to ATIC’s educational governance resources.

Optional Research Participation

Teams may contribute anonymized data to ATIC’s research ecosystem, strengthening public‑benefit insights.

Priority Consideration for Future ASIC Applications

ASIC‑Prep participants receive prioritized review when applying for full certification.

Discount Toward First Year of ASIC

Teams that certify within 3 months may apply a credit toward their first year of ASIC.

Pricing

ASIC‑Prep is offered as a one‑time program, priced to ensure accessibility for early‑stage teams while maintaining the institutional seriousness expected of a standards‑aligned readiness pathway.

Program Fee: $750–$1,500 (one‑time)

This pricing structure:

• ensures the pathway is used by teams committed to responsible development

• supports early‑stage and unfunded builders without lowering the Standard

• preserves the authority and exclusivity of full ASIC certification

• creates a structured, sustainable pipeline for future certification

• reinforces ATIC’s role as a public‑benefit standards institution

Teams that complete ASIC‑Prep and pursue full ASIC certification within 3 months may apply a $500 credit toward their first year of ASIC.

Who ASIC‑Prep Is For

ASIC‑Prep is designed for teams who are:

• building AI systems but not yet ready for full ASIC

• early‑stage or unfunded

• lacking formal governance structures

• preparing for enterprise or regulatory environments

• seeking to mature their documentation and provenance practices

This pathway supports responsible builders without lowering the bar for certification.

What ASIC‑Prep Is Not

To preserve the authority of ASIC and AOIC, the pathway is explicitly not:

• a certification

• a credential

• a badge

• a public‑facing designation

• a reduced‑standard version of ASIC

ASIC‑Prep is a preparation program, not a certification tier.

Why ASIC‑Prep Matters

The AI ecosystem is maturing. Regulation is accelerating. Procurement expectations are rising.

Early‑stage teams need a structured way to prepare for this environment without compromising the integrity of the Standard.

ASIC‑Prep:

• strengthens governance maturity

• reduces future compliance burden

• accelerates readiness for enterprise environments

• supports responsible builders

• expands the pipeline of future ASIC‑certified organizations

It is a public‑benefit program that elevates the entire ecosystem.

Pathway to Full Certification

ASIC‑Prep is the first step in a structured progression toward full alignment with the Provenance & Integrity Standard. It prepares early‑stage teams to meet the governance, documentation, and integrity expectations required for system‑level certification.

1. ASIC‑Prep — Pre‑Certification Pathway

A structured readiness program that establishes foundational governance maturity and prepares teams for formal evaluation.

2. ASIC — System Integrity Certification

A system‑level certification confirming lawful data foundations, traceable provenance, and defensible model behavior.

Teams who complete ASIC‑Prep enter the certification process more prepared, more defensible, and more aligned with ATIC’s expectations.

ASIC‑Prep is ATIC’s commitment to responsible builders who are not yet ready for full certification but are determined to meet the Standard. It provides structure, clarity, and direction while preserving the authority and exclusivity of ASIC.

The pathway strengthens the ecosystem, supports early‑stage innovation, and ensures that the next generation of AI organizations grows with integrity from the start.