The GIAH Independence Charter
These are not guidelines. They are structural commitments that govern every decision we make:
- No funding from entities we certify. GIAH will never accept financial support from any organization whose AI practices it evaluates. The moment we take money from a company we grade, our credibility is gone. This is the bright line.
- No political endorsements. GIAH does not endorse political candidates, parties, or legislation authored by specific political entities. We advocate for principles: human rights, accountability, transparency, dignity.
- Research independence. GIAH's research agenda is set by the Advisory Board, not by funders. Supporters can fund the mission. They cannot direct it.
- Public certification criteria. Our standards are published. Anyone can see what we measure and how we grade. No black box. Transparency is non-negotiable.
- Financial transparency. GIAH discloses all funding sources above a published threshold annually.
- Nonpartisan governance. Our Advisory Board is intentionally composed of people across the political spectrum, across sectors, and across geographies. Groupthink is the enemy of wisdom.
- Mission lock. GIAH's core mission cannot be amended without supermajority board approval. The mission is not negotiable.
Why This Matters
Every institution that speaks about AI ethics is a target for capture. Companies want favorable ratings. Governments want validation. Political movements want endorsements.
We built GIAH to be structurally resistant to all of it. The value of an independent voice depends on it remaining independent.