ISO 42001 Clauses

As of now, the ISO/IEC 42001 standard is still under development, and its specific clauses haven’t been officially published. However, based on typical structures of other management system standards like ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) and ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management System), we can reasonably anticipate that ISO/IEC 42001 for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS) will follow a similar framework. Here’s a speculative summary of the clauses it is likely to include:

1. Scope

Defines the scope and application of the standard. This section will specify the type of organizations the standard is applicable to and the processes it covers in managing AI systems.

2. Normative References

Lists references to other standards or documents that are essential for the application of ISO/IEC 42001. For instance, this may include references to ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security) or ISO 31000 (Risk Management).

3. Terms and Definitions

Provides a glossary of key terms used throughout the standard, particularly for AI-related concepts like “transparency,” “explainability,” and “ethics.”

4. Context of the Organization

Organizations will need to understand the internal and external factors affecting their AI operations. This clause will likely require organizations to:

• Identify the needs and expectations of stakeholders (customers, regulators, society).
• Determine the scope of their AI Management System.
• Understand the legal, regulatory, and societal environment for AI use.

5. Leadership

This clause will outline the role of top management in establishing and supporting an AI management system, including:

• Assigning roles and responsibilities for AI governance.
• Ensuring AI principles (like fairness, transparency, and accountability) are embedded in the organization.
• Communicating the importance of ethical AI usage and ensuring alignment with the organization’s objectives.

6. Planning

The planning section will focus on assessing and mitigating risks related to AI systems. Organizations will be required to:

• Identify AI-related risks and opportunities.
• Set objectives for AI system performance, ethics, and compliance.
• Plan actions to address the risks and continuously improve AI management.

7. Support

This clause will likely cover the resources, skills, and infrastructure needed to implement and maintain the AI Management System, including:

• Competency requirements for staff managing AI systems.
• Communication channels for internal and external stakeholders.
• Documented information about AI policies, processes, and controls.

8. Operation

The operational clause will address the life cycle management of AI systems, including:

• Procedures for the design, development, testing, and deployment of AI.
• Ensuring that AI models and algorithms align with ethical and regulatory guidelines.
• Monitoring and maintaining AI systems to ensure they perform as intended and are explainable, secure, and transparent.

9. Performance Evaluation

This section will likely cover how organizations should monitor, measure, and analyze the performance of their AI systems. It may include:

• Internal audits of the AI Management System.
• Regular reviews of AI systems to ensure compliance with objectives and regulations.
• Mechanisms to assess whether AI models remain reliable, transparent, and explainable over time.

10. Improvement

This final clause will emphasize continuous improvement, requiring organizations to:

• Take corrective actions when AI systems or management processes do not meet objectives.
• Address incidents related to AI misuse, bias, or failure.
• Identify areas for innovation and improvement in AI systems and management processes.

Once the ISO/IEC 42001 standard is finalized, it will likely follow this structure or a similar one, reflecting other ISO management systems. It will aim to guide organizations in ensuring that AI systems are responsibly managed, trustworthy, compliant, and continuously improved.