Constitution &
Bylaws

The organisation shall be known as the International Association of AI Professionals, abbreviated as IA²P.

IA²P is constituted as a not-for-profit international professional association, constituted as an international not-for-profit professional association, with its registered presence across multiple jurisdictions.

IA²P shall maintain regional offices and chapter headquarters as authorised by the Executive Board, and shall operate as a truly global body serving professionals across all nations and jurisdictions.

IA²P shall pursue the following objectives: (a) Advance the ethical development and deployment of artificial intelligence; (b) Develop and advocate for international legal and regulatory frameworks governing AI; (c) Foster interdisciplinary collaboration between AI technologists and subject matter experts across all professional domains; (d) Produce world-class publications, research, and policy recommendations; (e) Recognise excellence in AI advancement through global and regional awards; (f) Build a trusted global community of leaders committed to responsible AI.

IA²P explicitly affirms that meaningful progress in AI requires the active participation of subject matter experts from all professional fields, including — but not limited to — those who have not yet adopted AI in their practice. The Association recognises that the wisdom to shape AI's responsible application in any domain belongs equally to those who currently use AI and to those who understand the domain AI will serve.

To be eligible for nomination, a candidate must demonstrate: (a) Recognised leadership or eminence in their professional domain; (b) A distinguished career, scholarly contribution, or executive role reflecting significant impact; (c) Commitment to the responsible and ethical development of AI, regardless of current AI proficiency; (d) The capacity and willingness to contribute to IA²P's mission through participation, knowledge-sharing, or advisory roles.

Step 1 — Nomination: Any current IA²P member in good standing may nominate a candidate by submitting a formal nomination dossier to the Secretariat. The dossier shall include: a detailed biography, evidence of domain leadership, two letters of support from existing members, and a statement of the nominee's anticipated contribution to IA²P.

Step 2 — Admissions Council Review: The Admissions Council — a standing committee of five Fellows appointed by the President — shall review all nominations. The Council may conduct interviews, request additional documentation, and consult regional chapter heads where relevant.

Step 3 — Invitation: If approved by a majority of the Admissions Council, a formal Letter of Invitation shall be issued to the nominee. Acceptance must be confirmed within ninety (90) days.

Step 4 — Induction: Accepted members shall be formally inducted at the nearest IA²P Global Summit, Regional Conference, or through a designated digital ceremony where distance prohibits attendance.

IA²P recognises five membership categories, each reflecting a distinct level of engagement, contribution, and standing within the Association. Annual dues are set as follows and are subject to review by the Executive Board no more than once every three years.

Student Member — $35 / annum
Open to individuals currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral programme with a demonstrable interest in artificial intelligence, its applications, or its policy and ethical dimensions. Student Members receive access to IA²P publications, events at concessionary rates, and mentorship opportunities. Student Members do not hold voting rights but may participate in Working Groups as observers. Membership is contingent on proof of enrolment, renewed annually.

Affiliate Member — $45 / annum
Extended to practitioners, researchers, and professionals who are at the early or developing stage of their engagement with AI-related fields, and to organisations and institutions that wish to associate with IA²P's mission. Affiliate Members participate in programs, receive access to publications, and may attend conferences, but do not hold voting rights. Affiliate Membership may be obtained through nomination by any current member in good standing or by invitation from the Admissions Council.

Associate Member — $100 / annum
Conferred on professionals with established credentials, recognised domain expertise, or a meaningful record of contribution to AI or an AI-adjacent field. Associate Members demonstrate capacity to contribute substantively to IA²P's mission through knowledge-sharing, advisory participation, or sector leadership. Associate Members may attend General Council meetings as observers, participate in Focus Areas and Working Groups, and are eligible to nominate candidates for all membership categories. Associate Membership requires nomination by two existing members and review by the Admissions Council.

Fellow (FIA²P) — $200 / annum  |  By Nomination & Committee Review
The Fellowship is the core voting membership grade of IA²P, conferred exclusively on individuals of exceptional distinction who have made sustained and significant contributions to their domain, to artificial intelligence, or to the responsible governance and advancement of AI. Fellows form the General Council, hold voting rights, and are eligible for election or appointment to all leadership and governance roles within the Association.

Fellowship is conferred solely by nomination from an existing Fellow, accompanied by a full nomination dossier, and is subject to rigorous review by the Admissions Council. The Admissions Council shall assess each nomination against the following criteria: (a) a body of work demonstrating sustained impact, innovation, or leadership in the nominee's domain; (b) a record of contribution to responsible AI advancement, policy, research, or application; (c) recognition by peers, institutions, or the wider professional community as an authority of standing; and (d) capacity and genuine commitment to contribute to IA²P's mission.

Age and seniority are expressly not criteria for Fellowship. Given the nature of the artificial intelligence industry — where transformative contributions may be made at any stage of a professional's career — Fellowship shall be awarded solely on the basis of the nominee's body of work, demonstrated impact, and commitment to the Association's mission. No minimum years of experience, career stage, or age threshold shall apply. A nominee of any age and any level of professional seniority is eligible if their body of work meets the requisite standard.

Change Maker (CMIA²P) — $250 / annum  |  By Nomination & Committee Review
The Change Maker grade is the most distinguished and selective category within IA²P, conferred on individuals who have demonstrably transformed a field, a practice, a community, or the trajectory of AI itself through their work, ideas, advocacy, or leadership. Change Makers are visionaries whose contributions have produced systemic, measurable, or enduring change — in industry, in society, in policy, or in the frontiers of AI research and development.

Change Maker designation is conferred exclusively by nomination from a current Fellow or existing Change Maker and is subject to the most stringent level of review conducted by the Admissions Council, augmented by a specialist panel of no fewer than three Fellows with relevant domain expertise appointed by the President. The review shall assess: (a) evidence of transformative impact at a systemic, societal, or sectoral level; (b) originality and significance of the nominee's body of work; (c) the durability and breadth of the change attributed to the nominee's leadership or contribution; and (d) alignment with IA²P's core values of responsibility, ethics, and benefit to humanity.

Age and seniority are expressly not criteria for the Change Maker designation. Consistent with IA²P's recognition that AI is an industry where exceptional impact may emerge at any career stage, the Change Maker designation shall be awarded solely on the merit, reach, and consequence of the nominee's body of work. No minimum age, years of experience, or hierarchical seniority shall serve as a threshold or qualifying condition. An individual of any age and any professional standing is eligible provided their demonstrated work meets the requisite standard of transformative contribution.

IA²P actively seeks members from the broadest possible range of professional sectors, including but not limited to: Financial Services, Fintech, Healthcare & Medicine, Education, Research & Academia, Telecommunications, Legal & Judiciary, Technology, Public Policy & Governance, Manufacturing, Defence & Security, Agriculture, Energy & Sustainability, Media & Communications, Logistics, Insurance, Architecture, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, and the Arts. Sector diversity is a core value; the Association shall maintain balanced representation across industries and geographies.

The General Council, comprising all Fellows in good standing, is the supreme governing body of IA²P. It meets annually at the Global Summit and exercises authority over constitutional amendments, strategic direction, and the election of officers.

The Executive Board manages the day-to-day affairs of the Association and implements the policy decisions of the General Council. It consists of the President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary-General, Treasurer, and four Regional Chairs representing the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.

Each Focus Area may convene one or more Working Groups comprising Fellows, Associate Fellows, and invited domain experts. Working Groups shall produce white papers, standards, policy briefs, and recommendations for adoption by the General Council or dissemination to relevant public bodies.

IA²P shall publish and maintain a peer-reviewed academic and professional journal — the IA²P Journal of AI Professionals — issued no fewer than four times per year. The Journal shall be the primary vehicle for publishing original research, policy analysis, sector reports, and expert commentary from the IA²P Fellowship and the broader AI scholarly community.

IA²P may issue policy briefs, annual reports, special reports, working group papers, and digital publications as determined by the Executive Board.

IA²P shall convene an annual Global Summit, rotating between major global cities, serving as the premier gathering of the Fellowship and the broader AI leadership community. The Summit shall feature keynote addresses, working group sessions, awards ceremonies, and strategic deliberations of the General Council.

Each Regional Chapter shall organise no fewer than one conference and two seminars or masterclasses per year, addressing matters of regional relevance to AI development, policy, and application.

IA²P shall present Global Awards annually at the Global Summit, recognising outstanding contributions across the following permanent categories: IA²P Global Leadership Award; AI Ethics Excellence Award; AI Innovation Award; AI Policy & Governance Award; Cross-Sector AI Leadership Award; and the Lifetime Achievement in AI Award.

Each Regional Chapter shall present no fewer than two Regional Awards annually, honouring excellence within their geographic jurisdiction. Regional award categories shall be determined by the Regional Chair in consultation with the Executive Board.

An independent Ethics Committee of five Fellows shall be appointed by the General Council to investigate allegations of misconduct, recommend sanctions, and advise the Executive Board on matters of professional ethics. The Committee shall operate with full independence from the Executive Board.