ADA Foundation
Level 1 · Foundation
Demonstrated understanding of the professional, ethical, security, privacy, governance and technical fundamentals required when developing or advising on AI.
AI Due-diligence & Assurance
Professional standards for people who build and advise on AI
ADA is developing professional standards for AI consultants, developers and advisers. Members demonstrate competence, commit to professional conduct and maintain their standing through continued development and independent evidence.
A listing is not regulatory approval. ADA is a developing professional body, not a statutory regulator or government licensing authority.
The ADA professional path
ADA Practitioner
Level 2 · Practitioner
Demonstrated professional competence through evidence of real-world applied AI work and responsible professional practice.
ADA Leader
Level 3 · Leader
Sustained professional achievement, responsibility, leadership and contribution to the development of good practice within the AI profession.
Professional Standards
ADA sets out expected professional practice for responsible AI development, advisory work, governance, privacy and security.
Learn moreProfessional Register
Buyers and employers can verify a person's current ADA professional level, renewal date, specialisms and membership number.
Learn moreCode of Professional Conduct
Membership carries obligations around honesty, competence, evidence, customer disclosure, badge use and professional accountability.
Learn moreMembership benefits
Why join ADA?
ADA is being built as professional infrastructure for responsible AI consulting and development, not a pay-for-logo scheme. Membership should help AI professionals win work, build trust, improve practice, stay current and reduce professional risk.
Prove your competence
A public, independently verifiable professional standing that shows more than self-description.
Win client confidence
Give buyers a practical way to check who they are engaging and what level of professional commitment has been made.
Work better
Use ADA standards, checklists, templates and practice guidance to structure safer AI engagements.
Stay current
Receive professional briefings and standards updates focused on what changed, why it matters and what to do.
Reduce professional risk
Use professional-practice frameworks covering conduct, disclosure, evidence, privacy, security and client responsibilities.
Find opportunities
Practitioners and Leaders can be discovered by organisations seeking credible AI professionals.
Shape the profession
Contribute to standards consultations, working groups and professional practice development as ADA matures.
Build a public profile
Use a verification page, professional register entry and badge-linked credential rather than relying on a copied image.
Why ADA matters
AI buyers need a better way to identify professional commitment.
There is currently no universal requirement preventing someone from marketing themselves as an AI consultant. ADA helps distinguish professionals who commit to published standards, maintain CPD and accept evidence-based scrutiny from those relying only on marketing claims.
Professional competence
Members progress through Foundation, Practitioner and Leader levels as evidence matures.
Continuing development
Professional standing is maintained through renewal, CPD and ongoing commitment to standards.
Verified credentials
Digital badges should link to public verification records, not stand alone as proof.
Assurance infrastructure
The member portal supports evidence, assessment and organisational assurance without becoming ADA's public identity.
Public application
Request an ADA Foundation account
Start the Foundation application publicly. Once reviewed, the applicant receives account access for the member portal, payment instructions and the Foundation assessment record.
Fees: ADA Foundation is GBP 75 + VAT per year. Founding Members, limited to the first 100 accepted members, pay GBP 49 + VAT per year.
Recently awarded professional credentials
Registered Practices are separate
Individual professional status is not the same as organisational assurance. A person can be ADA Practitioner while their organisation is separately Registered, In Progress or Assured.
Northstar AI
Practice In Progress · 2 ADA professionals · Organisational assurance: Compliance in Progress
Example AI Ltd
Registered Practice · 1 ADA professional · Organisational assurance: Registered