AIQI Member Spotlight - BCS
About BCS
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT is the professional body for information technology. Our purpose, as defined by Royal Charter, is to promote and advance the education and practice of computing for the benefit of the public. With 70,000 members, BCS brings together academics, practitioners, industry and government to share knowledge, inform the design of new curricula, and shape policy. BCS is a leading end point assessor for Digital Apprenticeships.
We believe that AI Assurance is best provided by certifications and registrations that demonstrate competence, ethics and accountability, contribute to national growth and are internationally interoperable. Our Chartered IT Professional (CITP) standard has a long pedigree and is being enhanced with a range of additional specialisms to reflect the changing landscape, for example AI.
BCS’s Role in AI Assurance
With a membership of over 70,000 IT professionals dedicated to upholding the highest professional standards, BCS has a key role in shaping AI Assurance. Membership requires strict adherence to codes of conduct, and those who achieve Chartered status are committed to meeting even higher standards. We provide continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities to ensure our members remain at the forefront of industry standards and ethical considerations, particularly relating to AI.
BCS actively advises the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) on AI Assurance through roundtables and written submissions. In addition, BCS has developed specialised qualifications like the BCS Foundation Certificate in the Ethical Build of AI, which directly contribute to the safe, secure; and ethical development of AI systems.
The AIQI Consortium is an important global initiative that brings together key stakeholders to establish a unified, cross-sector approach to AI Assurance. At BCS, we recognise the value of collaboration and believe that working alongside other organisations is essential to developing effective, globally recognised frameworks for AI Assurance.
BCS is actively engaged in AIQI’s certification workstream, which is focused on helping conformity bodies navigate the complex and evolving AI landscape. We are committed to supporting the development of certification standards and ensuring that they reflect best practices in AI governance, ethics; and compliance.
Ensuring the responsible development and deployment of AI is a lead priority for BCS. We understand the risks AI poses, and we believe that creating guardrails around innovation is crucial for ensuring that AI benefits society while minimising potential harm. This requires a collaborative effort from diverse organisations and stakeholders, together defining a robust framework for AI assurance and formally recognising those who adhere to it.
While the scale of this challenge is significant, BCS is confident that by working together, we can build a sustainable, globally recognised approach to AI governance and assurance.
For further inquiries, please contact Dan Howl, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT at Dan.Howl@BCS.UK.