KPMG Australia and BSI Australia have announced that the firm has become the first organisation globally to achieve ISO 420001 (AI) certification by BSI Australia.
ISO 42001 (AI) is a new international standard that specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) within organisations. One of the first internationally recognised standards for AI, ISO 42001 is administered by the International Organization for Standardization and is the world’s first AI management system standard, providing valuable guidance for this rapidly changing field of technology.
“AI has the potential to be a significant force for good in society, transforming lives everywhere,” said BSI’s Manuela Gazzard. “But to realize its benefits having the guardrails in place for the safe and ethical use of AI is critical. It’s fantastic to see KPMG Australia demonstrate the work they have done to ensure the safe and responsible use of AI and become the first in the world to achieve BSI’s certification to the AI management system standard. This is an important step forward and one that has the potential to empower other global organisations to responsibly manage their technology.”
Certification to this standard offers reassurance to stakeholders on the safe and responsible use of AI in an organization’s products and services, paving the way for them to harness AI to accelerate progress towards a better future and a sustainable world. BSI is proud to be at the forefront of ensuring AI’s safe and trusted integration across society.”
Following the release of the ISO 42001 standard on 19 December 2023, KPMG stood up a team in February 2024 to put the firm forward the certification process. This involved a detailed audit of how the firm approached AI, from governance to project management to embedding Trusted AI practices in the way that KPMG’s people work. ISO standards are not only about meeting a minimum requirement, but about ingraining a culture of continuous improvement.
With the standard less than a year old the certification pathway is new, meaning a BSI auditor had to travel from overseas to conduct the final assessment.
KPMG Australia has been an early adopter of AI, launching a proprietary version of Chat GPT, KymChat to staff in March 2023, and a version for clients in July 2023. In June 2024 the firm launched KymTax, a combination of a research tool, knowledge management platform and content generator, and one of the first Gen AI applications globally for tax services.
“AI can solve complex challenges, and unlock new possibilities for growth,” said KPMG’s Chief Digital Officer John Munnelly. “We are committed to helping our clients embrace this technology in a trustworthy and ethical manner, enhancing both efficiency and innovation. With ISO42001 emerging as the new gold standard for AI certification, we are delighted that our approach has met this extremely high bar.”
“This certification of our robust AI management system is testament to the fact that we are living and breathing our trusted AI commitment,” he added. “It is also integral to our ongoing AI strategy, which focuses not just on high-level governance but also detailed implementation to build ethical AI solutions in accordance with ISO42001 standards.”
