COMPEL Glossary / attestation
Attestation
Attestation is a formal declaration by an authorized person or body that an AI system, process, or governance practice meets specified requirements or standards at a particular point in time.
What this means in practice
Less comprehensive than a full audit, attestation provides a documented, signed statement of compliance that can be shared with regulators, partners, or customers as evidence of responsible AI practices. For organizations that cannot afford or do not yet require full external audits, attestation provides a lighter-weight assurance mechanism that still creates documented accountability. In COMPEL, attestation is part of the assurance continuum described in Module 3.4, and is particularly relevant in cross-organizational governance (Module 4.3) where partners may require mutual attestation of AI governance standards.
Why it matters
Not every organization needs full external audits, but all organizations deploying AI need some mechanism for documented, signed statements of compliance. Attestation provides a lighter-weight assurance mechanism that creates accountability and produces shareable evidence for regulators, partners, and customers. For organizations in supply chains or partnerships, mutual attestation of AI governance standards provides a practical basis for trust without the cost of full audits.
How COMPEL uses it
Attestation is part of the assurance continuum within the Governance pillar, designed during the Model stage as one of several assurance mechanisms. During Produce, attestation processes are established with designated authorities and review schedules. The Evaluate stage uses attestation records as evidence of compliance, and cross-organizational governance practices use mutual attestation to establish governance confidence between partner organizations across COMPEL-governed programs.
Related Terms
Other glossary terms mentioned in this entry's definition and context.