As the AI regulatory landscape sharpens around the globe, a new international standard is gaining serious traction—ISO/IEC 42001, the world’s first AI management systems standard. In this timely episode of Lunchtime BABLing, BABL AI CEO Dr. Shea Brown and COO Jeffery Recker unpack what the standard means for organizations of all sizes and why it’s quickly becoming the North Star for responsible AI governance.

Whether you’re a compliance officer, risk manager, CTO, or just curious about aligning with international AI norms, this episode offers a high-level yet practical introduction to the standard that’s poised to shape how AI is governed in both the public and private sectors.

Why ISO/IEC 42001 Matters

Shea kicks off the discussion by pointing out why interest in ISO 42001 has spiked, especially in the wake of new regulations like the EU AI Act, Colorado’s SB-205, and pending frameworks in the U.S. federal pipeline. While those laws focus on what must be done, ISO 42001 offers a blueprint for how to operationalize it.

This distinction is key. As Shea puts it, “ISO 42001 is about showing your work—proving that your AI system is built, deployed, and maintained with structured processes, documentation, and accountability in place.”

Inside the Standard: Leadership, Risk & Improvement

Jeffery walks listeners through the core components of the ISO/IEC 42001 standard, which mirrors other ISO management systems (like ISO 27001 for information security). Key elements include:

• • Leadership and governance structure

• • Risk assessments and mitigation processes

• • Operational controls and documented procedures

• Monitoring, performance evaluation, and continuous improvement

Together, these pieces form a living, evolving framework that keeps AI systems accountable and trustworthy—not just during development, but long after deployment.

Getting Started: Tips for Startups and Enterprises

For smaller or resource-limited teams, the idea of aligning with a global standard might sound intimidating. But Shea and Jeffery offer reassuring guidance: you don’t need to implement everything at once.

Instead, start by mapping what you already have, identifying your risk exposure, and using ISO 42001 as a strategic guidepost—especially when operating in regulated domains like healthcare, education, or finance.

Common Challenges and Missteps

From information paralysis to overly abstract policies, many organizations struggle when attempting to bring AI governance frameworks to life. Shea stresses the importance of clarity, accountability, and measurable goals over vague intentions.

And, as Jeffery adds, being proactive is far less painful than waiting for regulators—or customers—to demand answers you can’t provide.

BABL AI’s Role: Training the Next Generation of AI Auditors

In the second half of the episode, Shea and Jeffery introduce BABL AI’s AI & Algorithm Auditor Certification Program, a hands-on training experience designed to prepare professionals to lead or support ISO 42001 implementations.

They also announce an upcoming live webinar with Sprinto, where Shea will go deeper into the ISO 42001 standard and answer audience questions on compliance, readiness, and auditability.

Where to Find Episodes

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Need Help?

For more information and resources on explainable AI, be sure to visit BABL AI’s website and stay tuned for future episodes of Lunchtime BABLing