Highlights from Day 2

Yesterday, we delved into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI). With a packed agenda, global leaders, industry experts and innovators explored the pivotal role of International Standards in accelerating AI-driven innovation while emphasizing the importance of responsible AI. Over three sessions, we discussed AI’s potential as a catalyst for growth and global progress, particularly in applications such as health and small businesses. 

Key takeaways: 

• AI has enormous potential but needs to be developed and deployed responsibly and safely – standards and frameworks are the answer. 
• AI tools are generating excitement among users, businesses and policymakers. There is an urgent need for clear, consistent standards that can be universally applied across different sectors. 
• We’re not starting from scratch. We can draw lessons from decades of standards setting in other fields, in particular IT. 
• Data is key! Having strong data is critical not only for operational success but also for maintaining public trust in AI systems. 

The Chair of the joint technical committee on artificial intelligence (ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 42) explains why ISO/IEC 42001 can help build confidence in the technology within organizations. 

An AI management standard is a unique thing that’s offered by ISO, and we use that within SC 42 in a very novel way to basically address the differences [between AI and traditional IT systems] and hope it opens the door to conformity assessment, auditability and so on.

Heather E. West, Senior Director of Cybersecurity and Privacy Services at Venable, emphasizes the importance of establishing trust in AI. 

AI is predicted to drive a total transformation of the healthcare landscape. Our session on AI for healthcare raised the important issues of data governance, bias and patient trust, and how standards play a key role in providing frameworks that health services globally can adhere to. 

Laura Velásquez Herrera, President and Co-Founder of Arkangel AI, explained how AI models have the potential to revolutionize healthcare. They can redefine our approach to health, enabling early diagnoses and more effective treatments for patients, ultimately saving lives. 

Read more of Laura’s thoughts:

Faster, smarter, kinder: How AI can help revolutionize the patient experience

With its roots in compassion and humanity, the healthcare sector might seem an unlikely place for artificial intelligence to play a big role. Yet there are numerous ways it can revolutionize patient care.

AI is not just for large corporations: smaller businesses can reap the rewards too. A session dedicated to SMEs underscored AI’s potential to level the playing field, allowing smaller entities to compete and succeed alongside big industry players. AI standards can play a crucial role in redefining the possibilities for small businesses. 

Being small today is an advantage. The key aspect is to be adaptable and agile. AI is levelling up, it’s a lever which will help SMEs become more competitive.

Watch all AI sessions.

We examined the theme of human capital and looked into different aspects of diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. 

The session “Beyond glass ceilings” explored the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Topics included:  

• Women-led businesses are crucial for economic growth and equity. 
• Digital solutions play a pivotal role in empowering women entrepreneurs. 
• International Standards provide benchmarks to overcome barriers for women and scale operations. 

We need to transform the story [of women entrepreneurship] and switch from social responsibility into how this is generating economic value for everyone. If we don’t lift 50 % of society that has been constrained, it’s very hard for humanity to take the next steps into history.

As the nature of work evolves, ensuring workplace diversity has never been more crucial. Here’s what our experts had to say:  

• Many diversity initiatives fall flat because they’re designed from the top down, lacking input from the people they aim to impact. 
• To build truly diverse teams, businesses should rethink how they define work, source talent and support flexible working practices. 
• Organizations should consider a skills-based approach to recruitment, capitalizing on people’s transferable talents.  

“It’s not about numbers,” says Cynthia Hansen, Managing Director, Innovation Foundation, The Adecco Group, “it’s about the way people interact.” 

Read Cynthia’s insightful guest article:

Diversity, equity and the power of difference

Equity is a fundamental pillar of creating fair and inclusive workplaces. Without equity, we cannot unlock the potential that lies within our differences.