Accredited testing, inspection and certification sector is key to providing confidence in ethical AI development

29/05/2024

The global quality infrastructure is set to play a major role in the ethical development, governance and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. This was the conclusion of a specially convened United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and TIC Council AI Summit that brought together a wide cross-section of leading academic, quality industry and government figures.

Led by BBC journalist Stephen Sackur, the speakers and panellists delved into the critical intersections of AI and governance. They explored the challenges of ethically developing AI solutions and the opportunities this presents to key stakeholders in global quality infrastructure, businesses and wider society. Topics that were debated ranged from the promise of AI and digitisation, to the role of regulatory and voluntary assurance in identifying, assessing and managing risks to ensure AI solutions are developed ethically.

The AI Summit, held at London’s Mansion House, was jointly organised by UKAS and the TIC Council, the global association of the testing inspection and certification sector.  

The panel consisted of representatives from key components of the global infrastructure, including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the British Standards Institution (BSI), the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the German TÜV AI.Lab. Broader AI perspectives were provided by both University College Cork and the Responsible AI Institute, while the UK government was represented by the Head of AI Assurance at the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Kevin Hollinrake MP, Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade, said: “As AI technologies increasingly underpin the digital services we use every day, the importance of the national quality infrastructure in assuring those AI technologies will be brought into even sharper focus.”

Matt Gantley, CEO of summit co-organiser UKAS, said: “Whilst artificial intelligence is still in its relative infancy, AI is set to play a major role in all aspects of our daily lives, even though society and businesses remain naturally cautious about adapting to rapid change delivered through unfamiliar technology. What is clear from this summit is that global quality infrastructures are intrinsic to generating the necessary confidence that AI products and solutions are being developed safely, ethically and transparently, allowing them to be trusted and adopted.”

Hanane Taidi, Director General of the TIC Council, said: “With the self-learning properties of AI systems, we need to ensure incorporating continuous monitoring mechanisms of the reliability and fairness of these systems throughout their lifecycle. The quality infrastructure ecosystem is well-equipped to help build the guard rails to support a safe and secure deployment of this technology.”

Professor Michael Mainelli, the Lord Mayor of London, said: “AI will have a transformative effect on the way we all do things. Whether it is education or innovation, transport or technology, our world will change. The UK is in prime position to lead this debate; we attract more AI-related private investment from venture capital than the rest of Europe combined. The UK AI market could be potentially worth $1 trillion (approximately £803 billion) by 2035, significantly boosting our economic growth.

“That is why I am proud to be hosting this AI Summit. As well as exploring the promise of AI, it will examine the role of regulation including testing, inspection, certification and accredited commercial standards markets to ensure appropriate reliance on AI solutions.”

The TIC Council is the international trade association representing independent third-party testing, inspection and certification companies. The Council’s members are recognised for their expertise and commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of products and services.

UKAS is the sole National Accreditation Body for the UK, as appointed by the UK government. Its role is to assess that organisations providing conformity assessment services are meeting a required standard of performance. UKAS accreditation demonstrates an organisation’s competence, impartiality and performance capability against nationally and internationally recognised standards. 

www.ukas.com

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