July 7, 2025

ABVE Adopts Groundbreaking Guidelines for Ethical AI Use in Forensic Vocational Evaluations

[Raleigh, NC] — The American Board of Vocational Experts (ABVE) is pleased to announce the release of its newly adopted Guidelines for Ethical AI Use in Forensic Vocational Evaluations. This landmark document establishes a forward-thinking framework to support responsible, ethical and expert-led integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the practice of forensic vocational evaluation.

“These guidelines reflect ABVE’s ongoing commitment to professional integrity, transparency and innovation,” said Kourtney Layton, Ethics Chair. “We are at a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI and its growing impact on our profession; and the Board vote on this topic has positioned us as leaders in this space. We look forward to remaining at the forefront and continuing to shape the path ahead.”

The guidelines are designed to:

• Ensure AI tools augment, rather than replace, expert vocational judgment;
• Promote transparency and informed consent in AI-assisted evaluations;
• Safeguard data privacy and security in compliance with HIPAA, GDPR and best practices;
• Safeguard against algorithmic bias that may disadvantage vulnerable populations;
• Encourage proficiency, oversight and accountability among evaluators using AI tools.

These principles are critical as AI is increasingly used for labor market analysis, job matching, document summarization, predictive analytics and more. The guidelines also outline prohibited uses of AI, such as automated vocational conclusions or reliance on unverified predictive models.

Developed through an extensive committee process and peer review, the guidelines serve as both a roadmap for current best practices and a foundation for future refinement as the technology evolves.
The full document is now available to ABVE members and will be shared publicly to promote thought leadership and collaboration across related disciplines.

Link to AI Guidelines