A recent article published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) considers current applications of AI and its promise, with insights from RayShaper SA founder and university professor Touradj Ebrahimi.
Ebrahimi, convenor of ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee (JTC) 1, Information technology, Subcommittee 29, Coding of audio, picture, multimedia, and hypermedia information, Working Group 1, JPEG Coding of digital representations of images, explains that responsible governance is the only way to deliver on the potential of AI. Such “governance” must encompass education, technology, and regulation, and must be founded on inclusive and reliable international standards. With the speed of AI in constant evolution, all stakeholders from all over the world around the same table must be involved for better technology outcomes.
“Scientists, engineers, consumer associations, governments, and others must all weigh in and come together to establish the mechanisms needed to guide AI towards a benign and prosperous future,” Ebrahimi notes, and underscores how ISO/IEC 42001, Information technology — Artificial intelligence — Management system, is proof that AI is a priority for ISO. The world’s first AI management system, the standard was developed by stakeholders representing diverse interests, including representatives of the public and private sectors, regulators, technology experts, researchers, and academia who are part of JTC 1 Subcommittee (SC) 42, Artificial intelligence. The U.S. has a leading role in JTC 1 SC 42, with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the U.S. member body to ISO, serving as secretariat.
“ISO/IEC 42001:2023 is a first-of-its-kind AI international standard that will enable certification, increase consumer confidence in AI systems, and enable broad responsible adoption of AI,” said Wael William Diab, chair of SC 42, on the standard’s release. (Read more via ANSI’s coverage.)
In his own ISO thought piece, “Forging a Positive AI mindset,” Diab, an emerging technology strategy consultant, reflected on how international standards offer a “framework for the creation and development of responsible, resilient AI systems based on the input and voices of all stakeholders.”
Noting that AI will continue to evolve, he remarked: “Standards help to foster interoperability, safety, and transparency across AI applications, ensuring the benefits of AI are accessible, comprehensible, and meaningful to everyone.”
Access the new feature, “Why the World Needs Responsible AI,” on ISO.org.
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About JTC 1 and SC 42
Now in its 37th year, ISO/IEC JTC 1 addresses the rapidly changing standardization requirements of the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry, speeding the developmental process and the wide deployment of relevant standards. The U.S plays a leading role in JTC 1, with ANSI, the U.S. member body to ISO, serving as secretariat.
Created in 2017, JTC 1 SC 42 is the first-of-its-kind international standards committee looking at the full AI IT ecosystem. The SC is responsible for 21 published ISO standards. Charged with serving as the focal point within ISO/IEC JTC 1 for AI standardization, SC 42 provides guidance to JTC 1 and ISO and IEC committees as they look to develop AI-related standards in their sector-specific application areas.
In 2023, JTC 1 SC 42 was named the winner of ISO’s 2023 Lawrence D. Eicher Leadership Award (LDE) for its excellence in standards development. The award recognizes superior performance by one of the ISO standards development groups.