# 6.3.3 External and internal context

The process context comes from understanding the setting in which the organization pursues its objectives (ISO 31000:2018, 6.3.3). For an AI system that setting includes its social, legal and contractual surroundings, the stakeholders with their needs and expectations, the data it relies on, and the organization's own AI capabilities and limits. The step before 6.3.3 supplies its input, so run both together.

- Framework: ISO/IEC 23894:2023
- Cited to: ISO/IEC 23894:2023, clause 6.3.3
- Source: https://www.iso.org/standard/77304.html
- Last updated: 2026-10-20

## What it asks

The process context comes from understanding the setting in which the organization pursues its objectives (ISO 31000:2018, 6.3.3). For an AI system that setting includes its social, legal and contractual surroundings, the stakeholders with their needs and expectations, the data it relies on, and the organization's own AI capabilities and limits.

## Where generative AI changes the answer

The internal context for generative AI includes which vendor holds the data, where inference runs and what the contract says about model changes.

## Who it binds

The AI risk owner, the assessment team and the business owner of each generative AI use.

## Evidence an auditor samples

- Context statement covering the AI system's societal, legal, contractual and data environment

## The test you can run

Ask for one completed assessment for a live use, with its criteria, its analysis and its treatment decision.

## Common failures

- Context that omits the legal position of automated decision-making

## Before the draft publishes

Run the step once, by hand, on one live generative AI use, and keep the working paper. A method that has never been run on a real use is a template.

## What this page does not say

It does not state the text of ISO/IEC DTS 25568, because ISO has not published the draft's clause text. It does not certify anything.

Not legal advice; does not certify.