Matt Gantley
CEO
UKAS

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded in every facet of our lives, the need for robust governance frameworks that ensure the ethical use of this new technology without stifling innovation has never been more critical. This was the central theme at the AI Summit held on 27 March 2024, co-hosted by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and the TIC Council at London’s Mansion House. The event brought together leaders from academia, the quality industry, and government to explore how accreditation, standards, and measurement can create a trustworthy framework for AI governance.

The Summit featured discussions on how regulatory and voluntary assurance processes can identify, assess, and manage the risks associated with AI technologies to promote their ethical development. Matt Gantley, CEO of UKAS, emphasised the pivotal role of global quality infrastructures in generating confidence that AI solutions are being developed safely and transparently, stating “AI, while still in its infancy, is set to profoundly impact all aspects of our daily lives, necessitating a foundation of trust facilitated by robust quality assurances.”

The Summit demonstrated a consensus among participants about the importance of a clear and cohesive framework that integrates international standards, conformity assessment and accreditation to enable an ethical oversight. This framework could not only support the safe deployment of AI technologies but also allow for their adoption and roll-out across different sectors.

The discussions at the Summit reinforced the need for ongoing international dialogue to keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI technologies and the accompanying regulatory challenges. The participation of over 20 nations at the event in March, including international accreditation bodies from Turkey, Sweden, Ireland, Canada, America, and Romania, signifies the growing appetite for such collaboration, and the shared recognition of the need for unified solutions to global AI challenges.

This convergence of diverse perspectives and expertise from across nations fosters a more comprehensive understanding of ethical considerations and different regulatory frameworks, reflecting a broad spectrum of cultural, societal, and economic contexts within AI governance. The presence of Emanuele Riva, Chairman of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), underscored the willingness for global collaboration between national accreditation bodies. This collaborative and international approach can pave the way for a harmonised approach to the application of accreditation within AI, the sharing of best practice, and the development of a unified regulatory framework that promotes worldwide adoption of ethical AI practices.

Next steps – the Walbrook AI Accord

The Walbrook AI Accord has initiated a project to establish ethical AI standards and is now advocating standards for comprehensive firm-wide certification. This initiative takes an international perspective, emphasising the adoption of existing ISO standards rather than creating new ones.

The Accord aims to achieve three main outcomes:

1. Advocating for the adoption of Quality Infrastructure for AI assurance.
2. Developing assurance standards and methodologies.
3. Facilitating training and skill development for AI assurance professionals.

The Accord invites collaboration on a voluntary, non-binding basis, serving as a platform to unify and strengthen collective efforts over time. Development of the Accord has been well supported by international organisations such as ISO and IAF, and the initiative is inclusive and open to all.

Further information on the Walbrook Accord can be found on the website of the Lord Mayor of London, who has spearheaded this initiative.

Ongoing initiatives, such as recent AI Summits and the Walbrook Accord have created a catalyst for collective action, setting the stage for ongoing collaboration within the global accreditation community. By championing interoperable standards and fostering transparency and accountability, accreditation bodies can influence the responsible deployment of AI technologies. This balance of innovation with safety and ethics will define the future landscape of AI integration, making ethical AI governance not just an ideal but a practical reality.