The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) recently held a meeting in New York on December 27, 2023, where the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) 1 for Information technology, Subcommittee (SC) 42 on Artificial intelligence convened. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), acting as the U.S. member body to ISO, serves as the secretariat and plays a vital role in JTC 1.
The pervasive influence of Artificial intelligence (AI) in data-driven industries presents a dual-sided scenario of opportunities and risks that call for stringent governance measures. In response to this, the ISO/IEC 42001: 2023 standard has been introduced to provide a framework for managing the risks and opportunities associated with AI, emphasizing the responsible utilization of this technology. This standard mandates the implementation of an AI management system to navigate the complexities inherent in AI technologies. Regardless of the organization’s scale or focus, if it offers AI-based products or services, ISO/IEC 42001: 2023 delineates the essential prerequisites and guidelines for establishing, executing, maintaining, and continuously enhancing an AI management framework.
The primary objective of this program is to enhance the quality, safety, traceability, transparency, and reliability of AI applications by adopting a “Plan – Do – Check – Act” approach for ongoing enhancement. It aims to empower companies to leverage the full potential of AI while ensuring the appropriate development, governance, and utilization of AI systems.
Wael William Diab, the chair of SC 42, commends ISO/IEC 42001: 2023 as a groundbreaking global standard that elevates documentation practices, instills confidence in AI systems, and advocates for responsible AI deployment. This innovative strategy adapts established control systems principles to AI technologies, facilitating the realization of AI’s societal benefits while addressing ethical and reliability concerns across various application domains.
The collaborative development of this standard engaged stakeholders from diverse sectors, including public and private entities, regulators, technical experts, researchers, and educational institutions. SC 42 comprises representatives from 63 countries, with a notable presence from developing nations. The inclusive standards development process, involving end-users and technology developers, significantly influenced the standard’s adaptation to a wide array of AI applications.
Interested parties can access the ISO/IEC 42001 standard through the ANSI website or various licensing options. It is also part of the Artificial Intelligence Package, which includes ISO/IEC 42001, ISO/IEC 22989, and ISO/IEC 23894 standards.
Within the domain of SC 42 and JTC 1, the primary focus remains on advancing global standards for information and communications technology (ICT) to expedite industry growth and the widespread adoption of relevant criteria. JTC 1, under U.S. oversight with ANSI as the secretariat, continually evolves to meet the evolving demands of the ICT sector.
Established in 2017, JTC 1 SC 42 is distinguished as the first global standards commission dedicated to the entire AI IT landscape. With responsibility for 21 published standards, SC 42 serves as the central entity within ISO/IEC JTC 1 for AI standardization, providing guidance to committees working on sector-specific AI standards.
ANSI, a private non-profit organization, is dedicated to enhancing the global competitiveness and quality of life for American businesses by promoting voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems. Representing a diverse range of interests, ANSI plays a pivotal role in the standardization process at both national and international levels.
