An AI Impact Assessment (AIIA) is a structured process for evaluating the potential risks and societal effects of artificial intelligence systems before and during their deployment. Under the EU AI Act, organisations deploying high-risk AI systems are required to conduct these assessments, covering aspects such as bias, transparency, human oversight and fundamental rights.
The AIIA serves as both a compliance instrument and a risk management tool, helping organisations identify and mitigate harms proactively. It draws parallels with the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) under GDPR and is increasingly integrated into broader governance, risk and compliance (GRC) frameworks.