TECH100 AI Governance & Ethics Index — Methodology

This methodology is provided for research and informational use.

Related policies: Terms, Privacy, Corrections & Complaints.

Purpose

The Tech100 AI Ethics & Governance Index is a research index created by SustainaCore to assess how large, influential technology-adjacent companies approach Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance and ethics. The index is designed for educational and informational use and is not intended as investment advice.

Universe and inclusion criteria

The index tracks 100 publicly traded companies selected using a repeatable, research-driven process based on publicly available information and broad market relevance to Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled products, services, or infrastructure. The universe is reviewed at each rebalance.

Scoring framework: AI Governance & Ethics Score (AIGES)

Each constituent is assessed across five pillars. Each pillar is scored on a 0–100 scale.

1. Transparency
   Public clarity of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-related disclosures, governance reporting, and clarity about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used and managed.
2. Ethical Principles
   Existence and clarity of responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) principles, commitments, and documented approaches to harm mitigation.
3. Governance Structure
   Evidence of internal accountability, oversight mechanisms, and governance processes related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) risk.
4. Regulatory Alignment
   Alignment with relevant regulatory expectations and demonstrated readiness for evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance requirements.
5. Stakeholder Engagement
   Evidence of engagement with stakeholders (users, industry initiatives, research communities, civil society, and partners) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance and safety topics.

Composite score calculation

The AI Governance & Ethics Score (AIGES) Composite Average is calculated as the simple average of the five pillar scores:

AIGES Composite Average = (Transparency + Ethical Principles + Governance Structure + Regulatory Alignment + Stakeholder Engagement) / 5

Ranking

Constituents are ranked from highest to lowest by AIGES Composite Average. Where scores are tied, a deterministic tie-break approach is applied to ensure ranking stability.

Weighting

At each rebalance:

• The top 25 ranked constituents receive an equal weight of 4.00% each.
• All other constituents receive 0.00%.

This weighting rule is intended to highlight the highest-scoring companies under this research framework rather than represent a broad market portfolio.

Rebalance schedule and maintenance

The index is rebalanced on the dates published on the Site. At each rebalance, SustainaCore may:

• update scores and narratives based on newly available public information;
• add or remove constituents to maintain the 100-company universe;
• refresh sectors and metadata for consistency.

Data inputs

Scores and summaries are derived from publicly available information such as:

• company disclosures (reports, policies, governance statements);
• statements and publications from regulators and standard-setting bodies;
• reputable journalism and public reporting;
• other lawful public documents relevant to Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance.

SustainaCore does not claim that any single source is definitive. When information is incomplete, SustainaCore applies conservative judgement consistent with the methodology.

Limitations (important)

You should read this section before relying on any outputs.

1. Not investment advice
   The index is research content. It is not a recommendation, solicitation, or offer to buy or sell any security.
2. Best-effort accuracy
   Public information can be incomplete, outdated, corrected later, or contested. Errors may exist despite best efforts.
3. Interpretive scoring
   AI Governance & Ethics Score (AIGES) scoring involves judgement. Reasonable analysts may disagree with scoring or weighting.
4. Time lag
   A company may improve (or deteriorate) before changes appear in public disclosures. Scores may not reflect real-time practices.
5. Scope
   The index focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethics and governance signals. It is not a full assessment of overall company quality, safety, security, legality, or financial performance.
6. No affiliation
   SustainaCore is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any company mentioned, nor by any exchange, index provider, or regulator.

Contact

If you believe a score or summary is incorrect, outdated, or missing important context, please contact: info@sustainacore.org. See the Corrections & Complaints page for the review process.