The Walbrook AI QI Accord: Statement of Intent

We, the undersigned, representing pillars of the global quality infrastructure (QI), assembled at Mansion House in the City of London, to collectively recognise the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to contribute positively to society, industry, and government. At the same time, we agreed that as AI has becomes more advanced, there is legitimate and widespread concern about bias, transparency, accountability, and safety. 

QI is a global system of assurance, establishing safeguards for products and services, confirming they are safe, secure and sustainable. This open and scalable system incorporates national and international institutions with risk-based assurance and continual improvement feedback loops, based upon consensus-based standards, accredited conformity assessment (testing, inspection and certification), metrology and market surveillance.

In answer to calls from regulators, policy makers, AI developers and industry, we declare that the QI can deliver a rigorous assurance system for ethical AI deployment, ensuring that AI is safe, compliant, and aligned with societal values.

Acknowledging the critical role of the QI, we hereby announce our commitment towards developing a “Walbrook AI Accord” which will be codified at the TIC Council AI Summit on the 14th May 2024.  

The Walbrook AI Accord will aim to harmonise the global efforts of global QI partners to ensure that AI technologies are developed, deployed, and utilised in a manner that is safe, secure, ethical, and sustainable. 

Our consensus reflects a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, emphasising the imperative for a collaborative approach to governance that leverages consensus-based standards and accredited third-party assurance.

Participants signatures

[Representatives from the TIC Council, IIOA, IQNET, ISO, and IAF]