ISO 42001 (AIMS)
ISO/IEC 42001 is the world's first international standard for an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS). Released in December 2023, it provides a structured framework for organizations to develop, deploy, and monitor AI systems responsibly.
Think of it like ISO 27001 (for cybersecurity) or ISO 9001 (for quality), but specifically designed to handle the unique risks of AI, such as algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, and rapid self-learning.
- Automated decision-making can sometimes happen in an opaque and inexplicable way. This may require more detailed management beyond regular IT management.
- Changes in code writing, data analysis and machine learning increase the use of AI, while the way systems are updated and changed takes place with opaque justification and change management.
- AI systems learn and are updated during use, so that results are constantly changing based on the latest learning. This requires special management to ensure safe use.
What does ISO 42001 do?
The standard doesn't tell you how to code your AI; instead, it tells you how to govern it. It requires your organization to set up processes for:
AI Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating risks like data privacy breaches or biased outputs.
System Lifecycle Management: Managing AI from its initial design and data collection through to its retirement.
Data Quality: Ensuring the data used to train AI is representative, secure, and legally obtained.
Transparency & Explainability: Ensuring humans can understand and audit why an AI made a specific decision.
The standards Annex A is the "engine room" of ISO 42001.
While the main clauses of the standard tell you what to achieve (like "have a management system"), Annex A provides 38 specific controls across 9 categories that tell you how to secure and govern AI.
If you are already familiar with ISO 27001, you'll notice these controls feel more "ethical" and "operational" rather than just technical security.
Implementation of a management system according to ISO 42001 can have both internal and external effects on your organisation. Examples may be;
Internal Effects:
- Increased security for information and data
- Reduced risk of data loss.
- Improved internal control and governance for the detection of abuse
- Improved awareness among employees
External effects:
- Improved reputation among customers, suppliers and other stakeholders
- Reduced risk of negative consequences of security flaws
- Increased market access
Implementation of ISO 27001 can help achieve sustainability goals within;
