DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis is advocating for a new independent standards body to help guide the development and release of frontier AI systems. The proposal is modeled after FINRA, which plays a self-regulatory role in financial markets.
The envisioned organization would test advanced AI models and develop best practices for when and how powerful systems should be released. That could give companies, policymakers, and the public a more consistent framework for evaluating cutting-edge AI capabilities.
Why this matters
Independent evaluation is a major step toward trustworthy AI. As frontier models become more capable, shared standards could help reduce uncertainty while allowing beneficial innovation to continue.
- Supports safer deployment of powerful AI models
- Encourages industry-wide best practices
- Could increase transparency and public trust
Although this is currently a proposal rather than a deployed regulatory system, it reflects growing momentum among AI leaders to pair rapid progress with stronger accountability. Done well, a standards body could become an important foundation for responsible frontier AI.