AI Summit: Codifying the principles for adoption, deployment and market assurance of AI within the TIC Sector
An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit was hosted at Mansion House in the City of London on 27 March 2024. The announcement of the Walbrook AI Accord marked a pivotal moment in the intersection of technology and the global quality infrastructure. Under the patronage of the Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, and in collaboration with the TIC Council, this summit set the stage for a lively and insightful dialogue on the future of AI within the global quality infrastructure (GQI) and more specifically the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) sector.
Why was the Summit happening?
The AI Summit was conceived out of the necessity to address the burgeoning challenges and opportunities AI presents to the TIC sector. It aims to codify principles for the adoption, deployment, and market assurance of AI technologies. As AI continues to redefine the landscapes of various industries, its implications on standards, accreditation and metrology (quality infrastructure) is becoming increasingly critical. This summit provides a unique platform for leading AI experts, C-Level executives, and key stakeholders to forge a path forward.
What is the Global Quality Infrastructure (GQI)?
QI is the system put in place to ensure products and services are safe, secure and sustainable. It covers everything from standardisation and conformity assessment (testing, inspection and certification) to accreditation, metrology and market surveillance.
QI institutions work closely to reinforce and improve the system, and this play a vital role in business, innovation and trade – both nationally and across borders.
The Summit builds on a seminal research study by OC&C – Digital Angel or Artificial Distraction? TIC Sector and Artificial Intelligence: Seizing Opportunities, Overcoming Challenges (attached) and will provide a steppingstone between the AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park and the TIC Council Summit on the 14th May 2024 where the theme is “AI Governance”. The event will be sponsored by UKAS, the UK’s National Accreditation Body.
Why was the AI TIC Summit important?
The significance of the AI Summit extends beyond discussion; it is about setting a precedent for how AI technologies are integrated, regulated, and leveraged within the TIC sector and beyond. The summit’s agenda, featuring addresses by luminaries such as the Lord Mayor, Minister Kevin Hollinrake, and keynote presentations from figures such as Stephen Sackur, Dr Michael Fübi, and Sergio Mujica, underscores the high-level commitment to not just understanding AI but actively shaping its trajectory for public good and industry excellence.
What are the intended outcomes?
The intended outcomes of the AI Summit were to establish a cohesive voluntary framework for AI governance within the TIC sector. Through expert panel presentations, open plenary discussions, and a facilitated dialogue by Stephen Sackur (BBC Host of Hard Talk), the summit sought to:
- Identify and promote ethical AI governance models.
- Define the role of digital quality infrastructure in supporting AI governance.
- Facilitate industry-wide collaboration to address the risks and opportunities presented by AI.
- Outline steps for managing AI adoption risks to customers, employees, and stakeholders.
Moreover, the networking opportunities, including a lunch with the Lord Mayor and Minister Kevin Hollinrake, fostered dialogue on how government and business can co-design a shared infrastructure for AI governance, setting the stage for future collaborations and next steps for the TIC industry.
The biggest achievement was a whole-hearted endorsement at the Summit of “The Walbrook AI Accord“.
In conclusion, the AI Summit at Mansion House was not just another AI conference; it was a critical juncture for the global Quality Infrastructure and the TIC sector to navigate the complexities of AI integration. By bringing together industry leaders, experts, and policymakers, the summit charts a course to ensure AI technologies are developed, deployed, and utilized in a manner that is safe, ethical, and beneficial for all stakeholders.