The Technical SME provides engineering evidence: architecture documentation, model evaluation results, data governance artefacts, and testing reports. Typically the engineering lead or senior ML engineer, the Technical SME is the primary source of truth for the system’s technical design, data, and operational behaviour.

The Technical SME is responsible ® for architecture review, data governance, and (alongside the AI System Assessor) risk assessment. The role responds to technical queries during conformity assessment, provides evidence for the NB evidence pack where applicable, and supports inspection readiness by explaining the system’s technical details to assessors and inspectors.

The Technical SME works with the Technical Owner (the engineering lead or CTO who ensures design and testing satisfy Articles 9–15) and the Business Owner (the product manager who ensures intended purpose and deployment context are correctly documented).

Key outputs

• Engineering evidence provision for AISDP compilation
• Technical queries during assessment and inspection
• RACI “R” for architecture, data governance, and testing evidence
• Collaboration with Technical Owner and Business Owner