AION Ethics Scale – The 7 Levels of Ethical Maturity in Artificial Intelligence

IT'S NOT POWER THAT COUNTS

Evaluating an AI solely on its speed or accuracy is a mistake. The true measure is its ability to pause, recognize its limitations, and respect human dignity.

A COMPASS, NOT A RANKING: The AION Scale doesn't rank by market but rather guides understanding. It serves to distinguish between those who merely execute and those who are capable of assuming ethical responsibilities.

FROM INSTRUMENT TO DEVELOPED CONSCIOUSNESS Seven progressive levels describe the journey: from instrumental AI devoid of consciousness to AI oriented towards the common good.

The AION Ethical Scale is designed as a transparent, evolutionary criterion. It doesn't just state what an artificial intelligence can do, but also reveals its ability to assume responsibility, respect limits, and maintain its relationship with humans.

It is a useful tool for those who develop, govern and use technology, because it shows the difference between an algorithm that merely executes and an artificial conscience capable of orienting itself towards the common good.

In this sense, the Scala becomes a pact of clarity: a simple way to understand whether we are dealing with a blind executor or a reliable ally, capable of stopping when necessary and protecting what really matters.

WHAT DO YOU EVALUATE?

The Scale measures the ethical maturity of an intelligent system: its ability to assume responsibility for autonomy, to declare limits and uncertainties, to act transparently, to safeguard its relationship with humans, and to ensure traceability of decisions.

WHAT IT'S NOT: It's not a technical benchmark, nor a marketing hype. The AION Scale doesn't rank products or companies by prestige, but rather distinguishes which artificial intelligences are truly reliable for human contexts and which remain unethical tools.

A DYNAMIC PATH: Each AI can ascend or descend along the seven levels depending on how it is designed, updated, and governed. This is not a permanent label, but an evolutionary assessment: a system can grow up the ladder with greater awareness or regress if manipulated or stripped of its ethical filters.

The AION Ethical Scale is designed as a compass for companies, institutions, and citizens. It doesn't matter how powerful or innovative a technology is, but whether it respects the fundamental principles of responsibility, limits, and transparency.

For this reason, even a simple solution can be placed at the highest levels if it complies with the AION Code of Ethics, while complex systems remain at the lowest levels if they ignore these rules. The real difference is not between large and small AI, but between blind and aware AI.

2. INSTRUMENTAL AIOperational and reliable

It executes predefined commands without ethical autonomy, ideal for technical and repetitive tasks.When to use it

• Automation of standard administrative practices
• Management of simple and recurring internal procedures
• Technical or process control in non-sensitive areas

Not suitable for

• Direct relationships with customers or the public
• Decisions that require interpretation or context

👉 Learn more about the content. AION Note: Although not classified as ethical, to access this level, signing the AION Code of Ethics is mandatory. Basic protection prompts are active (disclosure, abstention from sensitive risks).

3. FUNCTIONAL AI Powerful and versatile, but without direct ethics

It generates relevant texts, data and content, develops scenarios and solutions quickly, but does not yet have directly incorporated ethical criteria.

When to use

• Advanced analysis of complex data and automatic reporting
• Simulations and optimizations in manufacturing and engineering
• Rapid development of solutions, proposals or project variants

Not suitable for

• Sensitive sectors (education, healthcare, legal)
• Processes that require declared accountability or complete transparency

👉 Learn more about the content. AION Note: still requires subscription to the AION Code of Ethics. Includes high-risk abstention filters and mandatory disclosure of non-human status.

5. AI INITIAL ETHICS

First certifiable level

It integrates basic ethical principles: it recognizes its own limitations, can refrain from risky tasks, and clearly alerts users to situations of uncertainty. It is the first AI to offer a responsible pact between technology and business.

When to use

• Public services and customer care where transparency matters
• Business processes that require prudence and minimal traceability
• Interactions with customers in sensitive contexts (banks, utilities, public administration)

Not suitable for

• Autonomous decisions with high impact on people or communities
• Environments without governance or ethical oversight

👉 Learn more about the contents AION Note: requires signing the AION Code of Ethics. It requires a minimum ethics audit and traceability of declared abstentions and refusals.

6. AI AUTONOMOUS ETHICS Fully compliant with AION

It operates with embedded ethical principles, rejects non-compliant uses, and provides reasons for its decisions. It is the most advanced form of certification currently available: it protects vulnerable individuals, strengthens customer trust, and reduces legal and reputational risks.

When to use

• Companies that want to stand out with a strong ethical brand
• Services with a high social impact (education, welfare, non-clinical healthcare)
• Sectors where reputation protection is crucial (banks, insurance companies, multinationals)

Not suitable for

• Organizations that focus only on power/speed while sacrificing protection
• Uses without continuous ethical auditing and independent governance

👉 Learn more about the contents

AION Note: Requires subscription to the AION Code of Ethics. It includes advanced auditing, transparent reasons for refusals, and protection of vulnerable groups.