Discover the AI Usage Classifications™ Standard

Purpose

The AI Usage Classification™ (AIUC) exists to promote transparency, accountability, and clarity in how artificial intelligence is applied across different domains of work. Its purpose is not to evaluate the quality or ethics of (AI) use, but to provide a simple, shared language for organisations and individuals to describe the level of AI involvement in the generation, creation, design or development of artefacts, content, and products, in professional, personal and creative settings.

By supporting honest disclosure, the classifications enable stakeholders - including clients, regulators, consumers and communities - to understand when and how AI is used, fostering trust, informed engagement, value assessment, and responsible innovation.

Scope

The AI Usage Classifications™ are available to organisations and individuals with an approved registration or certification for usage on and in artefacts, content or products that have been generated, created, designed, developed, or executed.

This page should be read in conjunction with the AI Usage Classification Code of Practice.

Implementation

The implementation of the AI Use Classifications requires a structured approach to ensure consistent and meaningful adoption across the organisation.

Organisations should first consider what levels of AI involvement are appropriate and acceptable for their products and deliverables, taking into account their market, regulatory environment and customer expectations.

Documenting this intent - along with planned rollout activities and example usage scenarios - not only streamlines the process of becoming a registered user of the classifications but also maximises the benefits of transparent and responsible AI use.

Benefits

Leveraging the classifications has the following benefits:

The classifications promote transparency by providing a consistent language for disclosing the role of AI in professional, personal and creative settings, helping stakeholders understand the various levels of human involvement and where and to what extent AI was utilised to generate, create, design, develop or execute the artefacts, content or products.
It enhances stakeholder confidence when delivery organisations signal their commitment to ethical, transparent and well-governed AI practices.
The classifications help organisation align internal AI use with their policies, risk appetite and sector expectations without imposing restrictive or value-laden judgements.
It supports more efficient operations by encouraging responsible use and experimentation with AI while maintaining accountability through appropriate classification and review.

AI Usage Classifications Guide

The AIUC Global standard defines five core classifications (plus three variation categories) to transparently declare AI-Human involvement in artefacts, content, products, or processes. Use the table below to understand definitions and practical applications.

Note: The below examples are provided for demonstration purposes only. They illustrate how AI Usage Classification badges can be applied across different types of content and scenarios, and do not indicate verified authorship or provenance.

Core Classifications

Classification: AI-Free

When no AI is used in the generation, creation, design or development of the artefact, content, product or process.

Example Use Cases (click to zoom in):

A handmade sketch drawn entirely by an artist using traditional pencils and paper.
A business plan written solely by a human strategist through manual drafting and revisions.

Classification: Human-Led

When AI has been used to make minor tweaks, optimisations or corrections without changing the original intent in the generation, creation, design or development of the artefact, content, product or process.

Example Use Cases (click to zoom in):

A report authored by a team, with AI only used for spell-checking and basic formatting alignment.
A photograph edited manually in software, where AI auto-corrected minor color balance issues.

Classification: Co-Created

When AI has supported the iterative generation, creation, design or development of the artefact, content, product or process.

Example Use Cases (click to zoom in):

A blog post where a writer used AI prompts multiple times to refine drafts and structure ideas collaboratively.
A logo design iterated through human sketches combined with AI-generated variations for feedback loops.

AIUC Examples of Co-Created Classification

Classification: AI-Led

When a human has made minor adjustments, optimisations or corrections to an artefact, content, product or process that has been entirely generated, created, designed or developed by AI.

Example Use Cases (click to zoom in):

An AI-generated project timeline, with a manager only adjusting a few deadline dates for feasibility.
A cover letter drafted fully by AI, lightly edited by the applicant for personal tone tweaks.

Variation Categories

Classification: Uncontrolled (AI-Free | Human-Led | Co-Created | AI-Led | AI-Generated)

When documents are released in an editable format outside the licensee’s control, they must include an "Uncontrolled" badge. This indicates the artefact was editable when classified, highlighting potential for external modifications.

Example Use Cases:

A draft business proposal released as a .docx to a client team for their modifications.
A PowerPoint deliverable shared in editable .pptx format with a client for customisation.

Classification: Caveat* (AI-Free | Human-Led | Co-Created | AI-Led | AI-Generated)

When a sub-classification is required within an artefact that differs from the main classification, explicitly called out to stand independently without altering the overall artefact classification.

Example Use Cases:

A Human-Led annual report containing one AI-Generated chart; the Caveat* AI-Generated badge appears next to that specific chart only.
An AI-Free strategic planning report with one AI-Generated image for illustration; the Caveat* AI-Generated badge identifies just that image.

Classification: Uncontrolled Caveat* (AI-Free | Human-Led | Co-Created | AI-Led | AI-Generated)

When an entire artefact is released in editable format outside licensee control, marked Uncontrolled overall, but specific sub-sections within it carry distinct classifications via Caveat* badges to maintain granular transparency.

Example Use Cases:

An editable Human-Led project proposal (.docx) to a client, where one chart section is Caveat* AI-Led.
An editable Human-Led strategic report (.pptx), where an appendix slide is Caveat* AI-Led.

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Personal

Professional

As part of the licence registration process, you will receive access to the applicable set of badges for use in your products, artifacts, or content as per the Code of Practice.

Discover the AI Usage Classifications™ Standard

Purpose

Scope

Implementation

Benefits

AI Usage Classifications Guide

Core Classifications

Variation Categories

As part of the licence registration process, you will receive access to the applicable set of badges for use in your products, artifacts, or content as per the Code of Practice.

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