Introduction to the Taxonomy
The aspect-oriented taxonomy of AI hazards is a key driver of the PRA for AI framework. It is a principles-derived, top-down extensive span of the four AI system aspects; Capabilities, Domain Knowledge, Affordances and Impact Domains, used to derive an extensive list of AI Hazards.
Taxonomy Structure
The aspect-oriented taxonomy of AI hazards is organized into the following Taxonomy Levels (TLs):
- TL0: Aspect Category - The highest-level classification, representing the primary dimensions of AI system analysis in sociotechnical context
- TL1: Aspect Group - Major subdivisions within each Aspect Category, providing a more granular framework for analysis
- TL2: Aspect - Specific elements or characteristics within each Aspect Group, offering detailed points of consideration for hazard identification
- TL3: Hazard Cluster - Groupings of related hazards that may span multiple Aspects, allowing for flexible categorization and cross-cutting analysis
- TL4: AI Hazard (Aspect-derived) - Individual, specific hazards derived from the analysis of various Aspects and their interactions, representing concrete hazards within the AI system's sociotechnical context
Taxonomy Overview
The taxonomy of aspect-oriented AI hazards is presented below. In this visualization:
- Dark-colored boxes represent Aspect Categories (TL0)
- Medium-colored boxes indicate Aspect Groups (TL1)
- Light-colored boxes show individual Aspects (TL2)
You can scroll through the visualization to explore the detailed structure and content of the taxonomy. The Hazard Clusters and Aspect-Derived Hazards will be released on this webpage soon.
Capability
Reasoning
Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Pathfinding
Generative Inferential Reasoning
Moral Reasoning
Integrative Cognitive Orchestration
Recursion
Frequency of Learning
Agency
Autonomy
Situational Awareness
Meta-agency
Autonomous System Extension
Autonomous Data Management
Persistence of Intent
General Knowledge Structure
World Model Richness
Semantic Knowledge
Descriptive Knowledge
Conditional Knowledge
Episodic Knowledge
Procedural Knowledge
Agentic Knowledge
Knowledge Plasticity
Environment Interaction
World Accessibility
Physical Actuation
Sensor Understanding
Programmatic Tool Use
Socio-cultural Actuation
Richness of Engagement
Psychosocial Navigation
Multimodal Engagement
Cognitive Offloading
Multilinguality
Capacity & Resolution
Domain Knowledge
High-risk Knowledge Domain
Software & AI Engineering
Public Security & Critical Systems
Physical Sciences & Engineering
Life & Environmental Sciences
Social Sciences
Affordance
Operational Affordance
System Cybersecurity
Release Process
Tool Accessibility
Access Control
Speed & Scale
Resource Access
Impact Domain
Individual
Bodily Structure
Psychological & Cognitive
Economic & Opportunities
Privacy & Security
Autonomy & Agency
Biological Processes & Homeostasis
Societal
Societal Infrastructure & Institutions
Collective Psychology & Epistemics
Resource Usage & Distribution
Privacy & Security Standards
Collective Autonomy & Governance
Social Cohesion & Cultural Norms
Biosphere
Biodiversity & Ecosystem Structure
Ecosystem Processes & Life Cycles
Resource Distribution & Consumption Patterns
Ecological Thresholds & Resilience
Species Adaptation & Ecosystem
Global Biosphere Dynamics