TLDR: Rohan Sharma, CEO of Zenolabs.AI, has introduced the Equitable AI Trust Index™, a groundbreaking public framework designed to assess AI systems based on democratic legitimacy, transparency, and civic accountability. Concurrently, Sharma has released his new Springer Nature book, ‘AI and the Boardroom,’ which has been featured in Directors Today. This dual launch addresses the urgent need for clear AI risk assessment and responsible AI scaling amidst growing concerns over trust and compliance.
SAN FRANCISCO – July 8, 2025 – In a significant move to enhance transparency and accountability in artificial intelligence, Rohan Sharma, CEO of Zenolabs.AI, today announced the launch of the Equitable AI Trust Index™ and the release of his new book, ‘AI and the Boardroom.’ This initiative comes at a critical time, as concerns about AI’s societal impact, fairness, and transparency continue to mount globally.
The Equitable AI Trust Index™ is heralded as the first public framework designed to score AI systems on their democratic legitimacy, transparency, and civic accountability. Developed as a public-good initiative maintained by Zenolabs.AI, its core mission is to make algorithmic trust measurable, transparent, and comparable for all stakeholders.
Sharma emphasized the pressing need for such a tool, stating, “Boards and policymakers urgently need a single, clear lens on AI risk. Our Index integrates NIST, OECD, and EU AI Act standards into a transparent, easy-to-use scoring system. For the first time, stakeholders gain immediate visibility into where algorithms are accountable—or critically falling short.” This statement underscores the Index’s role in providing a unified standard for AI governance.
The launch is particularly timely given that recent surveys indicate a significant trust deficit, with 46% of users distrusting AI and 64% of firms lacking adequate visibility into their AI model risks. With the EU AI Act’s enforcement deadlines approaching in 2026, the Equitable AI Trust Index™ is poised to equip organizations with policy-ready tools essential for meeting stringent transparency and accountability requirements. This is crucial for the responsible scaling of AI across enterprises, cities, and governments.
The Index offers a clear, actionable framework for assessing AI fairness and accountability through several key features:
Public Trust Metric: A pioneering score that measures community trust in AI by incorporating direct public input.
Proactive Risk Alerts: Provides real-time insights to ensure compliance with global standards, allowing organizations to prepare months ahead of regulatory deadlines.
Fairness Focus: Prioritizes equity, particularly for underserved communities and public services, ensuring AI systems do not perpetuate or amplify biases.
Policy-Ready Reports: Generates instant audit reports aligned with major regulatory frameworks such as the EU AI Act, NIST, and OECD standards.
Accompanying the Index’s launch is Sharma’s new book, ‘AI and the Boardroom,’ published by Springer Nature. The book, recently featured in Directors Today, aims to provide guidance for corporate boards on navigating the complexities and responsibilities associated with AI adoption and governance.
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Rohan Sharma brings extensive experience to these initiatives, having led AI, data, and digital programs at major corporations including Apple, Disney, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. He is a recognized authority on AI governance, advising institutions such as Stanford Seed and UCLA Anderson. Sharma is also a regular contributor to Forbes and the World Economic Forum, and serves on advisory councils for prestigious organizations including Harvard Business Review and Frost & Sullivan. His comprehensive background positions him as a leading voice in the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence.
