AI Governance

Voluntary risk-management framework

NIST AI Risk Management Framework

The NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0) offers a process model—Govern, Map, Measure, Manage—to help organizations address AI risks. It is explicitly voluntary and not a U.S. federal regulation. Companion profiles, including for generative AI, tailor the framework to contexts. Organizations often use it alongside legal duties that come from other sources (sectoral law, contracts, or foreign regulation).

Last reviewed 2026-08-22

Issuer
NIST
Year
2023
Status
Voluntary guidance
Geographic scope
United States origin; used internationally
Intended audience
Organizations designing, developing, deploying or using AI systems

Main themes

  • Governance
  • Risk mapping
  • Measurement
  • Risk management
  • Trustworthiness characteristics