Full service digital agency CTI Digital has achieved ISO 42001 Certification, the international standard for managing AI systems, following an independent audit by the Centre for Assessment.
The certification formally recognises CTI Digital’s approach to responsible AI governance and provides an independently assessed framework for how the agency develops, adopts and manages AI technologies.
ISO 42001 is the world’s first international management system standard specifically focused on AI. It provides organisations with a structured, risk-based approach to managing AI throughout its lifecycle, with a focus on areas including risk management, accountability, transparency, human oversight and compliance with legal and ethical requirements.
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For Manchester’s CTI Digital, the certification forms part of its existing Integrated Management System, alongside ISO 9001, for quality management and ISO 27001 for information security. Together, the three standards provide a framework covering quality, security and AI governance across the organisation.
The ISO 42001 certification includes processes for assessing the potential impact of AI systems, checks for the procurement and deployment of AI tools, a register of approved AI technologies and a defined process for employees to raise concerns relating to AI.
Chris Gee, infrastructure and ISO compliance officer at CTI Digital, said: “AI is now embedded in how we design, build and support digital products for our clients. Achieving ISO 42001 demonstrates that responsible AI governance is built into those processes, rather than being treated as an afterthought. It gives our clients independent assurance that we have the controls and oversight in place to manage the risks that come with using AI. It is also an important recognition as AI governance continues to move up the business agenda.”
The certification strengthens CTI Digital’s wider approach to AI governance as the agency continues to develop and deploy AI-powered capabilities for its clients. It also supports its work around sovereign AI and Croft, its private AI platform designed to give organisations greater control over their AI environments and data.
Chris Burgess (pictured), group CEO at CTI Digital, added: “The conversation around AI is moving beyond what these technologies can do to how organisations can use them with confidence. Clients need to understand how their data is protected, how AI systems are controlled and where accountability sits.
“For CTI Digital, ISO 42001 provides independent validation of the governance we have built around AI and complements our existing approach to quality and information security. It is particularly significant as we continue to develop our sovereign AI proposition through Croft, where control, privacy and responsible use of AI are central to the proposition. It is also an important milestone in demonstrating that innovation and strong governance can, and should, go hand in hand.”
By adopting ISO 42001, CTI Digital has also established a formal management framework for continually assessing and improving how AI is used across the business, reinforcing CTI Digital’s commitment to ensuring that AI adoption is accompanied by appropriate safeguards around privacy, fairness, transparency and human oversight.
