The framing of the development of artificial intelligence technology as a global arms race (“Vance wields America’s whip hand on AI as London joins in declaration snub”, Report, February 12) overlooks the businesses, big and small, who are trying to make practical progress, solve real world problems and deliver growth with this new, powerful tool — and do so safely and ethically.
Although the regulatory landscape is still evolving, there is a tried and trusted mechanism for international collaboration which is used to address global challenges from cyber security to sustainability. Formal stakeholder-led international standards based on national delegations are consensus
best practice for industry to deploy “off the shelf”.
The global AI management standard, ISO/IEC 42001, published just over a year ago is already helping organisations use AI responsibly. It assists organisations to manage the risks and opportunities, balancing innovation with governance.
Some of the world’s biggest companies are already certified to this standard, and others are on their way in the knowledge that, as and when the regulation does emerge, they will be ready to meet it. In the meantime, they can work on the fundamentals; good data management, focused use cases and clear-eyed assessments of effectiveness and risk.
Against a febrile geopolitical landscape, business leaders and policymakers should feel reassured that there is plenty to get on with, and that the tried and tested system of international standards has their back.
Susan Taylor-Martin
Chief Executive, BS (the British Standards Institution), London W4, UK
