The global skills and competency framework for the digital world
SFIA skills for AI and machine learning

SFIA skills for AI and machine learning

Artificial intelligence and machine learning affect a broad range of professional work. Organisations may develop their own AI capabilities, integrate externally supplied models and services, use AI within existing products and processes, or enable people to use AI as part of their everyday work.

This view starts with the professional and organisational needs created by AI/ML and then shows how existing SFIA skills can provide relevant professional capability.

The AI/ML context may introduce particular knowledge, technologies, methods, standards, risks and techniques. The underlying SFIA skills describe the more durable professional practices and responsibilities needed to address these needs.

The view can therefore help organisations:

  • identify SFIA skills relevant to AI/ML work
  • develop roles and multidisciplinary teams
  • distinguish specialist AI/ML capability from established professional skills applied in an AI context
  • identify knowledge, methods and techniques that need to supplement SFIA skills
  • investigate areas where existing SFIA coverage may need clarification or development.

The mapping should not be interpreted as implying that every AI initiative requires every skill listed, or that each need necessarily corresponds to a separate job or specialist role.

SFIA skills Categories

Select a need to see the SFIA skill that supports it and why it is relevant.

AI direction, investment and value

  13 needs Organisations need to decide where AI is appropriate, how it contributes to organisational objectives, what should be funded and whether expected value justifies cost and risk.
What organisations need to be able to do
  • Set a clear direction for how AI will contribute to business objectives, priorities and plans.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Strategic planning defines the professional capability to develop and maintain organisational strategies that align plans, actions and resources with business objectives. AI can be incorporated alongside other strategic capabilities and investments rather than treated as an objective in itself.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Strategic planning ITSP · Levels 4–7 Creating and maintaining organisational-level strategies to align overall business plans, actions and resources with high-level business objectives.
  • Coordinate how AI changes enterprise capabilities, operating models, information, applications, infrastructure and relationships between organisational functions.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Enterprise and business architecture defines the professional capability to translate organisational strategy into coordinated operating models, capability changes and roadmaps. It contributes to AI change spanning business, data, applications and infrastructure.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Enterprise and business architecture STPL · Levels 5–7 Aligning an organisation's technology strategy with its business mission, strategy and processes and documenting this using architectural models.
  • Understand business problems and opportunities before deciding whether AI or another response is appropriate.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Business situation analysis defines the professional capability to investigate business situations and recommend improvement action. It helps separate the underlying need from assumptions about AI as the solution.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Business situation analysis BUSA · Levels 2–6 Investigating business situations to define recommendations for improvement action.
  • Assess the technical, financial, organisational and business feasibility of proposed AI initiatives before proceeding.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Feasibility assessment defines the professional capability to define and evaluate change options. It allows AI approaches to be compared with alternative interventions and assessed against organisational constraints.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Feasibility assessment FEAS · Levels 2–6 Defining, evaluating and describing business change options for financial, technical and business feasibility and strategic alignment.
  • Monitor and assess emerging AI technologies, capabilities and limitations to inform organisational decisions.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Emerging technology monitoring defines the professional capability to identify and assess emerging technologies, products, services, methods and techniques. It supports systematic assessment of AI developments and their possible organisational implications.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Emerging technology monitoring EMRG · Levels 4–6 Identifying and assessing new and emerging technologies, products, services, methods and techniques.
  • Identify, prioritise and develop promising AI opportunities through structured experimentation aligned with organisational objectives.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Innovation management defines the professional capability to identify, prioritise, incubate and exploit opportunities from digital technologies. It supports experimentation while connecting AI opportunities to organisational objectives and decision-making.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Innovation management INOV · Levels 5–7 Identifying, prioritising, incubating and exploiting opportunities provided by information, communication and digital technologies.
  • Evaluate significant AI investments against alternatives, costs, risks and expected returns.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Investment appraisal defines the professional capability to assess possible investments and projects. It can support decisions about AI platforms, products, infrastructure, development and transformation initiatives.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Investment appraisal INVA · Levels 4–6 Assessing the attractiveness of possible investments or projects.
  • Prioritise AI initiatives alongside existing services, programmes, projects and investments, considering value, risk, dependencies and resource constraints.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Portfolio management defines the professional capability to select, prioritise and balance programmes, projects and ongoing services as a coherent portfolio. It enables AI initiatives to be considered alongside other organisational investments rather than through a separate AI-specific investment process.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Portfolio management POMG · Levels 5–7 Developing and applying a management framework to define and deliver a portfolio of programmes, projects and/or ongoing services.
  • Define expected benefits from AI initiatives, track whether they are realised and act when outcomes fall short.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Benefits management defines the professional capability to forecast, plan and monitor expected benefits. It helps organisations test whether AI initiatives actually produce the outcomes used to justify them.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Benefits management BENM · Levels 3–6 Forecasting, planning and monitoring the emergence and effective realisation of anticipated benefits from projects and programmes.
  • Manage AI capabilities within products and services throughout their lifecycle, from initial investment to evolution and retirement.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Product management defines the professional capability to manage products and services across their lifecycle. It supports decisions about incorporating, evolving or withdrawing AI capabilities based on evidence and changing needs.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Product management PROD · Levels 2–6 Managing and developing products or services throughout their full lifecycle, from inception through growth, maturity, and decline, to retirement.
  • Forecast and budget for variable AI costs, including usage, inference, training, infrastructure and externally supplied services.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Budgeting and forecasting defines the professional capability to develop budgets and forecasts using scenario planning, sensitivity analysis and risk assessment. This supports planning for variable and consumption-based AI expenditure.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Budgeting and forecasting BUDF · Levels 2–6 Developing and managing financial budgets and forecasts to enable effective decision-making and resource allocation.
  • Monitor and control AI costs affected by architecture, model choice, usage patterns and workload volumes.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Cost management defines the professional capability to monitor, analyse and control costs and identify optimisation opportunities. It supports decisions about consumption, model choice and other cost-performance trade-offs.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Cost management COMG · Levels 2–6 Planning, controlling and analysing costs to enable the effective use of financial resources.
  • Compare the financial implications of alternative AI models, hosting approaches, suppliers and non-AI options.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Financial analysis defines the professional capability to analyse financial information, develop models and conduct cost-benefit, scenario and sensitivity analysis to support decision-making.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Financial analysis FIAN · Levels 2–6 Conducting in-depth analysis of financial data to derive insights and support decision-making.

AI governance, risk, ethics and accountability

  6 needs Organisations need clear authority, accountability, controls and oversight for AI development and use, including risk, ethics, compliance and stakeholder consequences.
What organisations need to be able to do
  • Define authority, accountability, decision rights and oversight for the development, approval, deployment and use of AI.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Governance defines the professional capability to establish and operate frameworks for decision-making, legitimate authority and accountability. It can define who may authorise AI uses, what may be delegated and where human responsibility remains.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Governance GOVN · Levels 6–7 Defining and operating frameworks for decision-making, risk management, stakeholder relationships and compliance with organisational and regulatory obligations.
  • Identify, assess, treat and monitor AI-related risks within their actual business, operational and technology context.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Risk management defines the professional capability to establish systematic approaches to organisational risk. AI risks can therefore be managed alongside other business, operational and technology risks.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Risk management BURM · Levels 2–7 Planning and implementing processes for managing risk across the enterprise, aligned with organisational strategy and governance frameworks.
  • Ensure that AI and data practices address fairness, accountability, transparency, privacy and wider ethical consequences.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Artificial intelligence (AI) and data ethics directly addresses the professional capability to apply ethical principles throughout the design, development, deployment and use of AI and data technologies.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Artificial intelligence (AI) and data ethics AIDE · Levels 3–6 Implementing and promoting ethical practices in the design, development, deployment and use of AI and data technologies.
  • Ensure that AI initiatives using personal, regulated or controlled information comply with applicable information and data obligations.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Information and data compliance defines the professional capability to implement and promote compliance with information and data management legislation.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Information and data compliance PEDP · Levels 4–6 Implementing and promoting compliance with information and data management legislation.
  • Provide independent scrutiny of significant AI controls, claims and governance arrangements where assurance is required.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Audit defines the professional capability to conduct independent, risk-based assessments of processes, controls and compliance. It can provide assurance over AI governance arrangements and supporting evidence.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Audit AUDT · Levels 2–7 Delivering independent, risk-based assessments of the effectiveness of processes, the controls and the compliance environment of an organisation.
  • Engage and align stakeholders responsible for, contributing to or affected by AI decisions, their implementation and consequences.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Stakeholder relationship management defines the professional capability to analyse, manage and influence stakeholder relationships systematically. It contributes where AI decisions have benefits, risks and consequences across organisational boundaries.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Stakeholder relationship management RLMT · Levels 4–7 Systematically analysing, managing and influencing stakeholder relationships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes through structured engagement.

Problem framing, process and human interaction

  6 needs AI needs to be applied to clearly understood problems, processes and user contexts, with appropriate requirements and effective interaction between people and AI-enabled systems.
What organisations need to be able to do
  • Redesign business processes when AI changes how work is performed, automated, augmented or shared between people and systems.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Business process improvement defines the professional capability to analyse and redesign business processes and exploit new technologies and automation. It supports changes to workflows and operating practices where AI alters how business outcomes are achieved.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Business process improvement BPRE · Levels 2–7 Creating new and potentially disruptive approaches to performing business activities.
  • Define and manage requirements for AI-enabled systems throughout their lifecycle, including intended use, constraints, performance, acceptance criteria and failure tolerances.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Requirements definition and management defines the professional capability to establish and manage requirements throughout delivery and operation. AI-specific requirements can be managed alongside functional, service, security, regulatory and other requirements.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Requirements definition and management REQM · Levels 2–6 Managing requirements through the entire delivery and operational lifecycle.
  • Research how intended users behave, what they need and where AI may help or create difficulties.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill User research defines the professional capability to investigate user behaviour, needs and motivations. This helps ground AI design in real contexts of use rather than assumed user behaviour.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    User research URCH · Levels 2–6 Identifying users' behaviours, needs and motivations using observational research methods.
  • Understand the tasks, decisions, risks and dependencies that shape how people interact with AI.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill User experience analysis defines the professional capability to understand context of use and specify user experience requirements and goals. This can include how AI recommendations, generated content and uncertainty are presented and used.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    User experience analysis UNAN · Levels 2–5 Understanding the context of use for systems, products and services and specifying user experience requirements and design goals.
  • Design AI interfaces that support effective interaction, appropriate human intervention and understanding of the AI's role.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill User experience design defines the professional capability to design interactions and experiences for systems, products and services. It can address how people interact with AI capabilities within wider work and decision processes.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    User experience design HCEV · Levels 2–6 Producing design concepts and prototypes for user interactions and experiences of a product, system or service.
  • Evaluate whether people can use AI-enabled products and services effectively, safely and appropriately.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill User experience evaluation defines the professional capability to validate products and services against user experience goals and measures. It can identify usability problems and inappropriate patterns of reliance on AI.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    User experience evaluation USEV · Levels 2–6 Validating systems, products or services against user experience goals, metrics and targets.

Data for AI

  6 needs AI depends on data that is suitable, understood, governed, structured, traceable and reliably supplied for development, evaluation and operation.
What organisations need to be able to do
  • Govern the quality, protection, provenance and lifecycle of data used to develop, evaluate and operate AI.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Data management defines the professional capability to establish policies and practices that control, protect and optimise data assets. It provides the broader stewardship needed around AI data.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Data management DATM · Levels 2–6 Developing and implementing plans, policies and practices that control, protect and optimise the value and governance of data assets.
  • Build and operate reliable pipelines for collecting, transforming, storing and supplying data to AI applications.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Data engineering defines the professional capability to design, build, operationalise, secure and monitor data pipelines and stores. It supports dependable movement and preparation of data for AI workloads.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Data engineering DENG · Levels 2–6 Designing, building, operationalising, securing and monitoring data pipelines, stores and real-time processing systems for scalable and reliable data management.
  • Maintain coherent structures, definitions and relationships for data used across AI systems.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Data modelling and design defines the professional capability to represent, communicate and manage data requirements and assets. It supports consistent interpretation and integration of AI-related data.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Data modelling and design DTAN · Levels 2–5 Developing models and diagrams to represent, communicate and manage data requirements and data assets.
  • Manage information used or produced through AI as part of their wider information assets.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Information management defines the professional capability to enable effective management and use of information assets. It supports responsibilities, access, lifecycle, protection and use beyond individual AI applications.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Information management IRMG · Levels 3–7 Enabling the effective management and use of information assets.
  • Classify, code, annotate or label information reliably where AI development and operation depend on it.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Analytical classification and coding defines the professional capability to interpret information and assign classifications or labels using domain knowledge, standards and guidance. This includes data labelling for machine learning where appropriate.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Analytical classification and coding ANCC · Levels 2–6 Interpreting information and assigning classifications or labels based on domain-specific knowledge, standards and guidelines to enable data analysis and use.
  • Analyse data to understand patterns, outcomes, anomalies and the wider context in which AI operates.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Data analytics defines the professional capability to extract, analyse and communicate insights from structured and unstructured data. It can support AI development, evaluation and operational decision-making.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Data analytics DAAN · Levels 2–7 Enabling data-driven decision making by extracting, analysing and communicating insights from structured and unstructured data.

Model development, research and experimentation

  6 needs Organisations developing AI capability need specialist methods for researching, designing, training, adapting, evaluating and improving models and analytical approaches.
What organisations need to be able to do
  • Design, train, test and improve machine-learning systems when developing models that learn from data.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Machine learning directly addresses the professional capability to develop systems that learn from data and experience.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Machine learning MLNG · Levels 2–6 Developing systems that learn from data and experience, improving performance, accuracy and adaptability in dynamic environments.
  • Apply statistical, mathematical and predictive analysis to develop AI models and derive reliable insights from data.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Data science defines the professional capability to apply mathematics, statistics, data mining and predictive modelling to generate insight and value from data.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Data science DATS · Levels 2–6 Applying mathematics, statistics, data mining and predictive modelling techniques to gain insights, predict behaviours and generate value from data.
  • Apply specialist numerical methods where AI models depend on accurate, stable and computationally efficient algorithms.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Numerical analysis defines the professional capability to create, analyse, implement, test and improve algorithms for numerically solving mathematical problems. It applies where the underlying AI work requires this specialist capability.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Numerical analysis NUAN · Levels 4–7 Creating, analysing, implementing, testing and improving algorithms for numerically solving mathematical problems.
  • Provide specialised high-performance computing approaches for computationally intensive AI workloads where required.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill High-performance computing defines the professional capability to use advanced computing systems and specialised programming techniques for complex computational problems. It is relevant where AI workloads require this scale of computation.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    High-performance computing HPCC · Levels 4–7 Using advanced computer systems and special programming techniques to solve complex computational problems.
  • Select, adopt and improve methods and tools for developing, evaluating and operating AI-enabled systems consistently and effectively.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Methods and tools defines the professional capability to lead the adoption, management and optimisation of methods and tools in alignment with organisational objectives.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Methods and tools METL · Levels 2–6 Leads the adoption, management and optimisation of methods and tools, ensuring effective use and alignment with organisational objectives.
  • Conduct rigorous AI research to create, evaluate and disseminate new knowledge or methods where routine investigation and development are insufficient.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Formal research defines the professional capability to create new knowledge systematically through experimentation, evaluation and dissemination. It distinguishes formal research from routine investigation or development.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Formal research RSCH · Levels 2–6 Systematically creating new knowledge by data gathering, innovation, experimentation, evaluation and dissemination.

Engineering AI-enabled systems

  8 needs Models and AI services need to be incorporated into dependable systems, software, architectures, infrastructure and lifecycle environments.
What organisations need to be able to do
  • Design AI architectures that balance functionality, security, performance, scalability, manageability, cost and organisational constraints.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Solution architecture defines the professional capability to develop and communicate multidimensional solution architectures and make appropriate architectural trade-offs.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Solution architecture ARCH · Levels 4–6 Developing and communicating a multi-dimensional solution architecture to deliver agreed business outcomes.
  • Design coherent systems that incorporate AI capabilities and meet agreed requirements and architectures.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Systems design defines the professional capability to design systems against requirements and agreed architectures. It supports the integration of AI components with wider system behaviour.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Systems design DESN · Levels 2–6 Designing systems to meet specified requirements and agreed systems architectures.
  • Design appropriate software structures, components and interfaces for systems incorporating models and AI services.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Software design defines the professional capability to architect and design software against specified requirements, standards and principles.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Software design SWDN · Levels 2–6 Architecting and designing software to meet specified requirements, ensuring adherence to established standards and principles.
  • Build and maintain software components that integrate AI models, services, data and business logic.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Programming/software development defines the professional capability to develop software components that deliver stakeholder value. AI-specific libraries and techniques sit within this wider development capability.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Programming/software development PROG · Levels 2–6 Developing software components to deliver value to stakeholders.
  • Integrate models, applications, data services and external AI components into functioning operational systems.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Systems integration and build defines the professional capability to plan, implement and control the integration of system elements, subsystems and interfaces.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Systems integration and build SINT · Levels 2–6 Planning, implementing and controlling activities to integrate system elements, subsystems and interfaces to create operational systems, products or services.
  • Control versions and dependencies across models, data, software, configurations and infrastructure used in deployed AI systems.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Configuration management defines the professional capability to identify, control, account for and audit configuration items and their relationships. It can provide traceability across the components of AI-enabled systems.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Configuration management CFMG · Levels 2–6 Planning, identifying, controlling, accounting for and auditing of configuration items (CIs) and their interrelationships.
  • Design infrastructure for the processing, storage, network, resilience, security and operational requirements of AI workloads.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Infrastructure design defines the professional capability to design technology infrastructure to meet business and technical requirements.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Infrastructure design IFDN · Levels 2–6 Designing technology infrastructure to meet business requirements, ensuring scalability, reliability, security and alignment with strategic objectives.
  • Establish development and operational environments that support repeatable delivery, automation, feedback and improvement of AI-enabled systems.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Systems and software lifecycle engineering defines the professional capability to establish repeatable lifecycle practices across systems and software. AI-enabled systems may require these practices to cover models, data and other evolving components.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Systems and software lifecycle engineering SLEN · Levels 3–7 Establishing and deploying an environment for developing, continually improving and securely operating software and systems products and services.

AI Evaluation, quality and assurance

  7 needs Organisations need credible evidence that AI-enabled systems are fit for their intended purpose and remain acceptable as models, data, systems and circumstances change.
What organisations need to be able to do
  • Test whether AI-enabled systems exhibit the specified and expected functional behaviour.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Functional testing defines the professional capability to investigate systems and services against specified or unspecified functional requirements and characteristics.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Functional testing TEST · Levels 1–6 Assessing specified or unspecified functional requirements and characteristics of products, systems and services through investigation and testing.
  • Evaluate the performance, robustness, scalability, security and other qualities of AI-enabled systems beyond functional correctness.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Non-functional testing defines the professional capability to evaluate non-functional characteristics of systems and services. AI-specific measures and evaluation methods can be applied where relevant requirements have been established.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Non-functional testing NFTS · Levels 1–6 Assessing systems and services to evaluate performance, security, scalability and other non-functional qualities against requirements or expected standards.
  • Determine whether AI-enabled products, services and processes meet agreed acceptance criteria under realistic operating conditions before formal acceptance.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill User acceptance testing defines the professional capability to validate systems, products, business processes and services against defined acceptance criteria.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    User acceptance testing BPTS · Levels 2–6 Validating systems, products, business processes or services to determine whether the acceptance criteria have been satisfied.
  • Establish consistent quality objectives, standards, measures and improvement practices for AI-enabled products, services and processes.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Quality management defines the professional capability to establish and operate organisational quality frameworks, standards, measures and improvement practices. It complements testing and quality assurance by addressing the management system within which AI quality is governed and improved.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Quality management QUMG · Levels 2–7 Defining and operating a management framework of processes and working practices to deliver the organisation's quality objectives.
  • Assure that AI development and operation follow defined quality requirements, practices and controls.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Quality assurance defines the professional capability to assess whether organisational quality objectives are being met through ongoing and periodic review.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Quality assurance QUAS · Levels 2–6 Assuring, through ongoing and periodic assessments and reviews, that the organisation’s quality objectives are being met.
  • Define and operate repeatable measures, targets and thresholds for the performance, behaviour and outcomes of AI-enabled systems.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Measurement defines the professional capability to develop and operate measurement arrangements that meet organisational information needs. It can support model, system, service and outcome measures.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Measurement MEAS · Levels 2–6 Developing and operating a measurement capability to support agreed organisational information needs.
  • Verify that AI-enabled services are operationally ready, supportable and acceptable before entering or materially changing live service.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Service acceptance defines the professional capability to define and assess service acceptance criteria covering functionality, operational support, performance, safety, security and quality.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Service acceptance SEAC · Levels 3–6 Managing the process to obtain formal confirmation that service acceptance criteria have been met.

AI security, privacy and resilience

  6 needs AI systems, data and services need protection from misuse, unauthorised access, manipulation and attack, while maintaining appropriate privacy and resilience.
What organisations need to be able to do
  • Align AI systems and their data with appropriate organisational security strategies, policies and controls.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Information security defines the professional capability to define and operate frameworks of security controls and security management strategies. AI-specific threats can be incorporated into these arrangements.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Information security SCTY · Levels 2–7 Defining and operating a framework of security controls and security management strategies.
  • Protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and systems used by AI.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Information assurance defines the professional capability to protect against and manage risks associated with information and information systems.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Information assurance INAS · Levels 2–7 Protecting against and managing risks related to the use, storage and transmission of data and information systems.
  • Monitor live AI-enabled systems and respond to threats, misuse and anomalous behaviour.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Security operations defines the professional capability to manage and administer operational security measures using tools and intelligence.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Security operations SCAD · Levels 1–6 Manages and administers security measures, using tools and intelligence to protect assets, ensuring compliance and operational integrity.
  • Identify and remediate vulnerabilities introduced by AI components, models and integrations.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Vulnerability assessment defines the professional capability to identify and classify security vulnerabilities and mitigate or eliminate their impact.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Vulnerability assessment VUAS · Levels 2–5 Identifying and classifying security vulnerabilities in networks, systems and applications and mitigating or eliminating their impact.
  • Test security controls around AI-enabled systems against realistic attack techniques and misuse scenarios.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Penetration testing defines the professional capability to test security controls by emulating the tools and techniques of likely attackers. AI-specific attack techniques can be incorporated where relevant.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Penetration testing PENT · Levels 2–6 Testing the effectiveness of security controls by emulating the tools and techniques of likely attackers.
  • Control the identities, permissions and authority of people, services and autonomous components that interact with AI systems.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Identity and access management defines the professional capability to manage identity verification and access permissions within organisational systems and environments. The AI context may require extension of these practices to increasingly complex non-human actors and services.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Identity and access management IAMT · Levels 1–6 Manages identity verification and access permissions within organisational systems and environments.

Deployment, operation and service management

  11 needs AI-enabled services need controlled introduction into production, reliable operation, monitoring, support, recovery and continual improvement throughout their operational lifecycle.
What organisations need to be able to do
  • Plan, authorise and control the release of new or changed AI-enabled services into production.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Release management defines the professional capability to manage releases into production while addressing business objectives and compliance requirements. Models and related components can be treated as controlled release artefacts.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Release management RELM · Levels 2–6 Managing the release of new and updated services into production, ensuring alignment with business objectives and compliance standards.
  • Deploy AI software, models and configurations into live environments reliably and repeatably.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Deployment defines the professional capability to transition software into live usage while managing risks and ensuring it operates as intended.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Deployment DEPL · Levels 2–6 Transitioning software from development to live usage, managing risks and ensuring it works as intended.
  • Operate and optimise the compute, storage, network and cloud infrastructure supporting AI workloads.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Infrastructure operations defines the professional capability to provision, configure, operate and optimise technology infrastructure across physical, virtual and cloud environments.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Infrastructure operations ITOP · Levels 1–5 Provisioning, deploying, configuring, operating and optimising technology infrastructure across physical, virtual and cloud-based environments.
  • Coordinate responses to incidents involving live AI-enabled services, minimising harm and disruption while restoring effective operation.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Incident management defines the professional capability to coordinate responses to incidents, minimise negative impacts and restore services.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Incident management USUP · Levels 1–6 Coordinating responses to a diverse range of incidents to minimise negative impacts and quickly restore services.
  • Investigate the underlying causes of recurring or systemic problems in AI-enabled services and prevent recurrence.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Problem management defines the professional capability to manage problems throughout their lifecycle and address causes rather than repeatedly treating symptoms.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Problem management PBMG · Levels 2–5 Managing the lifecycle of all problems that have occurred or could occur in delivering a service.
  • Define and maintain availability and resilience for AI-dependent services in proportion to their business consequences.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Availability management defines the professional capability to ensure services achieve required levels of availability for current and future needs.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Availability management AVMT · Levels 3–6 Ensuring services deliver agreed levels of availability to meet the current and future needs of the business.
  • Forecast and manage the variable processing and infrastructure capacity required by AI workloads against service and cost constraints.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Capacity management defines the professional capability to ensure service components have sufficient capacity and performance to meet current and planned needs.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Capacity management CPMG · Levels 2–6 Ensuring service components have the capacity and performance to meet current and planned business needs.
  • Define and manage explicit expectations for the quality, performance and support of operational AI services.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Service level management defines the professional capability to agree service targets and assess and manage service delivery against them.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Service level management SLMO · Levels 2–7 Agreeing targets for service levels and assessing, monitoring and managing the delivery of services against the targets.
  • Support, maintain and improve live AI-enabled applications as operational evidence and needs change.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Application support defines the professional capability to support and maintain live applications. It can identify operational problems and improvement opportunities involving AI components.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Application support ASUP · Levels 2–5 Delivering management, technical and administrative services to support and maintain live applications.
  • Assess and control changes to models, prompts, data, software and services that may alter AI behaviour or risk.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Change control defines the professional capability to assess risks associated with proposed changes and ensure that changes are controlled and coordinated.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Change control CHMG · Levels 2–6 Assessing risks associated with proposed changes and ensuring changes to products, services or systems are controlled and coordinated.
  • Maintain critical business activities when AI services, models, infrastructure or external suppliers are disrupted or unavailable.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Continuity management defines the professional capability to assess business impacts, develop and test continuity arrangements and maintain required operations during disruption. It also covers continuity across externally supplied and cloud-based services and supply chains.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Continuity management COPL · Levels 2–6 Developing, implementing and testing a business continuity framework.

Sourcing and external AI services

  4 needs Organisations increasingly depend on externally supplied AI models, platforms and services and need to manage sourcing choices, supplier dependencies, contractual obligations and asset lifecycles.
What organisations need to be able to do
  • Decide how AI capabilities should be sourced and evaluate internal development, commercial products, cloud services and external models.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Sourcing defines the professional capability to manage and advise on procurement and commissioning. AI-specific criteria can be considered alongside cost, service, risk and wider organisational requirements.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Sourcing SORC · Levels 2–7 Managing, or providing advice on, the procurement or commissioning of products and services.
  • Manage suppliers of AI products and services continually against organisational expectations, not only at initial purchase.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Supplier management defines the professional capability to align supplier performance with sourcing strategies and organisational objectives.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Supplier management SUPP · Levels 2–7 Aligning the organisation’s supplier performance objectives and activities with sourcing strategies and plans, balancing costs, efficiencies and service quality.
  • Establish enforceable contractual obligations for AI services, data, changes, security, performance and assurance.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Contract management defines the professional capability to manage formal contractual obligations throughout the contract lifecycle.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Contract management ITCM · Levels 2–7 Managing and operating formal contracts, addressing supplier and client needs in product and service provision.
  • Manage AI-related models, software, data, licences, services and infrastructure as organisational assets throughout their lifecycle.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Asset management defines the professional capability to manage assets from acquisition and operation through maintenance and disposal.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Asset management ASMG · Levels 2–6 Managing the full lifecycle of assets from acquisition, operation, maintenance to disposal.

Organisational change and workforce capability

  12 needs AI changes work, roles, responsibilities and required capability, creating a need for deliberate organisational change, workforce planning, learning and professional development.
What organisations need to be able to do
  • Deliver agreed outcomes from AI initiatives through appropriate project governance and management of scope, resources, risks, dependencies and stakeholder expectations.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Project management defines the professional capability to deliver agreed project outcomes using management, collaboration, leadership and governance appropriate to the context.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Project management PRMG · Levels 4–7 Delivering agreed project outcomes by aligning appropriate management techniques, collaboration, leadership and governance to specific project and organisational contexts.
  • Coordinate the projects, organisational change, technology, data and business activities involved in large AI transformations.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Programme management defines the professional capability to plan and coordinate related projects and activities in support of business objectives.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Programme management PGMG · Levels 6–7 Identifying, planning and coordinating a set of related projects and activities in support of specific business strategies and objectives.
  • Manage changes to processes, responsibilities, controls, systems and ways of working required for AI adoption.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Organisational change management defines the professional capability to plan, design and implement transition to a required future state.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Organisational change management CIPM · Levels 2–6 Planning, designing and implementing activities to transition the organisation and people to the required future state.
  • Design how work is divided between people, teams, AI-enabled systems and external services.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Organisation design and implementation defines the professional capability to design and implement integrated organisation structures and cultures. It can support redesign where AI materially alters operating models and responsibilities.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Organisation design and implementation ORDI · Levels 3–7 Planning, designing and implementing an integrated organisation structure and culture.
  • Anticipate how AI changes workforce demand and the professional capability required across the organisation.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Workforce planning defines the professional capability to project future demand for people and skills and plan how those requirements will be met.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Workforce planning WFPL · Levels 4–6 Strategically projecting the demand for people and skills and proactively planning the workforce supply to meet organisational needs.
  • Redesign jobs and responsibilities as AI automates, augments or redistributes work.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Job analysis and design defines the professional capability to analyse and design jobs and role structures. It can distinguish AI-related responsibilities within existing roles from requirements for new specialist roles.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Job analysis and design JADN · Levels 3–5 Planning, analysing and designing job roles and structures to align with organisational requirements, goals and culture.
  • Build AI-related capability across teams and organisational functions rather than relying on individual training alone.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Organisational capability development defines the professional capability to assess organisational capabilities, prioritise improvements and support their implementation.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Organisational capability development OCDV · Levels 5–7 Providing leadership, advice and implementation support to assess organisational capabilities and to identify, prioritise and implement improvements.
  • Assess whether people can apply AI-related knowledge and professional skills at the responsibility required by their roles.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Competency assessment defines the professional capability to assess knowledge, skills, competency and behaviours against defined frameworks.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Competency assessment LEDA · Levels 2–6 Assessing knowledge, skills, competency and behaviours by any means, whether formal or informal, against frameworks such as SFIA.
  • Design learning for different workforce groups around the AI knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to their work.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Learning design and development defines the professional capability to create learning resources and interventions for required capability development.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Learning design and development TMCR · Levels 2–5 Designing and developing resources to transfer knowledge, develop skills and change behaviours.
  • Provide facilitated learning and practice that develops effective AI-related capability.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Learning delivery defines the professional capability to transfer knowledge, develop skills and change behaviours using appropriate learning approaches.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Learning delivery ETDL · Levels 2–5 Transferring knowledge, developing skills and changing behaviours using a range of techniques, resources and media.
  • Provide development pathways as AI changes established professions and creates specialist opportunities.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Professional development defines the professional capability to support development in line with individual career needs and organisational requirements.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Professional development PDSV · Levels 4–6 Facilitating the professional development of individuals in line with their career goals and organisational requirements.
  • Capture, share and reuse rapidly evolving AI knowledge and experience.
    How SFIA describes professional capability relevant to this need

    The SFIA skill Knowledge management defines the professional capability to systematically capture, develop and use organisational knowledge. This can help organisations learn from AI experiments, implementations, incidents and emerging practices.

    Relevant SFIA skill
    Knowledge management KNOW · Levels 2–7 Systematically capturing, developing and leveraging vital knowledge to create value and enhance organisational performance.
No matching needs or skills were found.