What is AI system inventory (AI registry)?
An AI system inventory, also called an AI registry, is a maintained list of the AI systems an organisation builds, buys or uses, with an owner, purpose, vendor, data, risk level and lifecycle status for each. It is the foundation for classification, controls, oversight and reporting.
You cannot classify, assess or monitor what you have not recorded. A good inventory also captures purchased AI and shadow AI, and shows dependencies such as the models, datasets and vendors behind each system. Records need named owners and review dates, otherwise the inventory goes stale.