KPMG Australia achieves world-first in responsible AI certification
The Australian branch of professional services firm KPMG has become the first organisation worldwide to receive a new globally-recognised certification for the safe management of artificial intelligence.
Introduced at the end of last year, the guidance as set by the British Standards Institute provides a framework for how to “establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an AI management system with a focus on safeguards.”
KPMG Australia – ahead of the game as to the development of its internal search tool KymChat – is now the world’s first organisation across the line in achieving the ‘AIMS’ ISO 42001 certification, having commenced the process in February.
“We are delighted that our approach has met this extremely high bar,” stated John Munnelly, appointed KPMG’s chief digital officer in 2022. “This certification of our robust AI management system is testament to the fact that we’re living and breathing our trusted AI commitment, and we are committed to helping our clients embrace this technology in a trustworthy and ethical manner.”
Also serving as KPMG’s global Microsoft business apps lead, Munnelly was a key figure in the development of KymChat – which is built on OpenAI’s Microsoft-backed ChatGPT – with the firm able to gain early access to create a secure private version. But while quick out of the blocks, KPMG also established its own ‘Trusted AI’ framework and review council early on in the process.
With the KymChat tool being released to clients shortly after its internal roll-out, KPMG’s AI framework sets out the principles and pillars which guide the firm’s approach to designing, building, and deploying AI products and tools in a responsible fashion, for example necessitating consideration first be given to the potential human impacts of a given project before jumping in.
To gain the BSI certification, KPMG would have to undertake a detailed audit of how it approached AI, from its governance and risk controls to embedding the responsible practices among staff and instilling a culture of continuous improvement, with the third-party stamp of approval now placing the firm one step ahead of its competitors and likely future regulatory legislation.
“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,” said BSI regulatory services president Manuela Gazzard. “This is an important step forward and one that has the potential to empower other global organisations.”
