Model Reporting for Certifiable AI: A Proposal from Merging EU Regulation into AI Development

Standardized documentation cards can bridge the gap between AI regulation and practice: The paper proposes using structured "cards" (data cards, model cards, use-case cards, and operation cards) to document AI systems throughout development, helping practitioners comply with EU regulations while maintaining practical usability.

Third-party auditing becomes feasible with transparent documentation: By requiring standardized cards that detail how AI systems are built and operated, the approach enables external auditors to efficiently evaluate AI applications for safety and compliance, rather than relying solely on developer self-assessment.

Real-world input from developers and experts shaped the proposal: The researchers conducted interviews with certification experts, AI developers, and end-users to ensure the proposed cards are actually implementable and useful in practice, rather than creating purely theoretical requirements.

Documentation should cover the entire AI lifecycle, not just the model: The introduction of "use-case cards" (defining intended applications) and "operation cards" (describing real-world deployment) recognizes that AI safety depends on how systems are actually used, not just how they're technically designed.

Clear, accessible documentation builds public trust in AI systems: By making AI development processes transparent and understandable through standardized cards, the approach aims to help non-technical stakeholders understand how AI systems work and why they can be trusted.