CERTIFICATION PROCESS
The unified, enforceable workflow that governs all ATIC certifications.
The Aston Thomas Integrity Commission conducts all certifications under a single, transparent, and independent process. This process ensures that every certified system and every certified organization meets the minimum conditions required for lawful, traceable, and defensible artificial intelligence.
The Certification Process applies equally to:
ASIC — ATIC System Integrity Certification
AOIC — ATIC Organizational Integrity Certification
ASIC-SF — ATIC Student Founder Certification
While the evaluation criteria differ between systems and organizations, the workflow, rigor, and enforcement remain identical.
Application & Scoping
ATIC begins each certification by confirming the scope of evaluation with the applicant. Institutions provide an initial overview of their AI systems, governance environment, or founder activities, depending on the certification type. ATIC establishes the boundaries and expectations of the certification so that both parties are aligned before formal evaluation begins.
Documentation Submission
Documentation Submission: Applicants provide appropriate documentation demonstrating how they meet the Provenance & Integrity Standard. This may include evidence of governance practices, provenance claims, procurement processes, deployment oversight, or other materials relevant to the certification type. Detailed documentation requirements are provided directly to applicants during the process.
Integrity Analysis
ATIC conducts a structured evaluation of each application against the relevant integrity principles. For systems and organizations, this includes assessing governance, provenance, structural soundness, and institutional readiness. For student founders, this includes evaluating conduct, stewardship, and alignment with ATIC’s integrity principles. The evaluation focuses on defensibility and alignment with the Provenance & Integrity Standard.
Verification & Review
ATIC may independently verify submitted information through document review, clarification requests, and other appropriate methods. This ensures that all representations are credible, consistent, and capable of withstanding regulatory and public scrutiny.
Certification Decision
Following evaluation and review, ATIC issues a formal determination. Certified applicants receive an Integrity Designation, a Certification Tier, an optional Public Registry Listing, a Summary of Findings, and Guidance for Alignment where applicable. Certification is granted only when the minimum conditions of the Provenance & Integrity Standard are met.
Annual Recertification
Certification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Institutions and individuals must continue to uphold the conditions of the Standard and may be subject to review if material changes occur or if integrity concerns arise.
Why the Process Matters
The Certification Process ensures:
transparency
consistency
defensibility
independence
public trust
It is the backbone of ASIC and AOIC, and the mechanism through which ATIC protects institutions, the public, and the long‑term stability of AI ecosystems.
Enforcement & Independence
The Aston Thomas Integrity Commission conducts all evaluations independently and without commercial influence. Certification decisions are final and based solely on compliance with the Provenance & Integrity Standard.