AI Vendor Due Diligence Checklist

for new AI Tools

An AI vendor due diligence checklist helps organisations evaluate artificial intelligence suppliers before adopting their technology.

Many businesses rely on third-party AI platforms to support business operations. Conducting structured vendor assessments helps organisations identify potential risks associated with those tools.

A vendor due diligence checklist ensures that AI suppliers are evaluated consistently.

Why AI Vendor Due Diligence Matters

Third-party artificial intelligence platforms may introduce risks related to:

• data protection
• system reliability
• model transparency
• regulatory compliance

Without structured vendor assessments, organisations may adopt AI tools without fully understanding their potential risks.

Vendor due diligence helps ensure that AI systems meet appropriate governance standards.

What Should an AI Vendor Due Diligence Checklist Include?

A typical checklist includes questions covering:

• data handling and security practices
• model transparency and explainability
• regulatory compliance considerations
• vendor governance and accountability
• incident reporting and monitoring procedures

These assessments help organisations determine whether a vendor’s AI solution is appropriate for their operational environment.

Vendor Due Diligence in AI Governance Frameworks

Vendor due diligence forms an important component of broader AI governance frameworks.

Organisations adopting artificial intelligence typically combine vendor assessments with:

• AI risk registers
• AI use policies
• incident reporting frameworks
• oversight structures

This combination creates a structured system for managing AI risks.

Download an AI Vendor Due Diligence Template

The Harnister AI Governance Toolkit includes a structured AI Vendor Due Diligence Checklist designed for organisations evaluating third-party AI systems.

Explore the AI Governance Toolkits to access the complete governance documentation set.