Mark Thirlwell
Managing Director, AI Regulatory Services, BSI
The regulation of AI is one of the most significant challenges of our time. As countless organisations and individuals harness the technology’s potential, the rapid acceleration of AI has led to extensive calls to ensure its use is ethical and trustworthy.
With the passing of the EU’s AI Act in March 2024, adhering to regulation has become increasingly paramount. Representing the first-ever legal framework on AI, the AI Act aims to address the risks of AI and position Europe to play a leading role globally, with the US, UK and China now working to publish their own guidelines.
Since 1901, BSI has been creating an enduring legacy of transformation for the benefit of all. Today, the organisation is well established to tackle today’s challenges, including ensuring the responsible use of AI for society’s benefit.
BSI is one of the world’s largest certification bodies, working to ensure businesses adopt best practices mandated by regulations or voluntarily embraced for improved efficiency and service quality.
With a legacy spanning 120 years, BSI's commitment to ethical conduct and excellence is upheld through its Royal Charter status, signifying a dedication to societal impact beyond profit motives.
Manuela Gazzard, a scientist turned commercial leader with extensive global experience, leads BSI's regulatory services division. Her career trajectory reflects a commitment to addressing society's needs through best practices and standards. With a focus on regulatory enforcement across various jurisdictions, her leadership underscores BSI's mission to foster a fair and sustainable world.
“What we aim to achieve is to make a meaningful impact towards fostering a fair society and a more sustainable world,” she explains. “This involves tackling cutting-edge problems and advancing societal progress.”
Tackling the task of AI regulation is one of those cutting-edge challenges. Today, BSI's foray into AI regulation marks a pivotal moment in its history. Mark Thirlwell, Managing Director of BSI’s AI Regulatory Services Business Unit, outlines the need to ensure AI systems meet stringent standards of safety, fairness and transparency.
With a background in consulting spanning two decades, Thirlwell brings a wealth of experience in leveraging technology to tackle complex challenges. His journey into the AI regulatory sphere stemmed from a desire to enable innovation while ensuring fairness, transparency and compliance. Tasked with setting up and running BSI's AI business unit, Thirlwell's dedication to this cause is evident, driven by the profound impact AI can have on society.
“We're not here to stifle innovation or impede AI's progress,” he says. “We aim to facilitate innovation. For AI to reach its full potential, it must adhere to principles of fairness, accessibility and transparency.”
BSI is actively assisting organisations in bringing AI products to market in a manner that is fair and transparent – with an initial focus on medical applications.
“Currently, our focus is primarily on medical devices, although we anticipate extending our services to all industries where AI is utilised in high-risk scenarios. We already have 40 clients in the medical field whom we are guiding towards safe market entry,” Mark adds.
"Having worked across various industries, I've never felt more fulfilled in my role. Witnessing the impact of our clients' work – whether it's aiding children with ADHD, detecting cancers or identifying fetal anomalies – is truly remarkable.”
Read the full story HERE.
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