Measuring Trust in AI: The Hidden Science Behind Responsible Innovation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a far-off vision of the future. It’s here, shaping how we work, how we receive services, and even how decisions are made at the highest levels. As AI rapidly integrates into our lives, the stakes rise. How can we be confident in the use of AI? How can we trust the decisions made by algorithms? How do we ensure these systems are unbiased, safe, and reliable? The answer, though often behind the scenes, lies in something profoundly important: measurement.
The Quiet Power of Metrology in the AI Age
The word “metrology”, which commonly gets confused with weather prediction, is actually the unsung hero behind much of our modern technology. Metrology—the science of measurement—is what ensures the accuracy, repeatability, and quality of everything from GPS systems to quantum computing. And now, it’s stepping into the world of AI. At the forefront of this transition is the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s national metrology institute. NPL’s role might not always make headlines, but it is critically shaping how we approach AI safety and assurance.
Why Measurement Matters for AI
AI systems, particularly those using machine learning, rely heavily on data. But AI depends on data, and trustworthy AI needs good quality, traceable, and unbiased data. That’s where NPL’s decades of expertise in data integrity, quality standards, and rigorous evaluation come in. Whether it’s testing the safety of biometric systems or defining what “trustworthy AI” looks like in healthcare and climate science, NPL, in collaboration with its global counterparts, is starting to set the scientific foundations needed for responsible AI. By creating validated methods for algorithm testing and evaluation, we can help build systems that work as intended—and can be trusted to keep doing so.
Building Confidence, Setting Standards
Confidence in AI doesn’t happen by chance. It’s built through robust assurance, independent evaluation, and consistent standards. NPL plays a central role here in supporting those activities cross the UK’s AI ecosystem. Through collaborations with other national metrology institutes, like NIST in the US or PTB in Germany, and leadership roles in global initiatives like the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM), NPL ensures that the UK has a seat at the international table when it comes to AI regulation (for example the EU AI Act) and standards.
NPL are also a founding member of the AI Standards Hub—alongside the Alan Turing Institute and BSI—helping to position standards not just as rules, but as powerful tools for innovation and governance.
Scaling for the Future
By developing an AI Programme focused on quantifying data quality, validating trustworthy algorithms, and providing reliable testing frameworks for validation and verification, NPL is laying the groundwork for a global AI assurance standard. This effort doesn’t just benefit the UK—it draws international investment and fuels innovation built on confidence.
A National Asset for a Global Challenge
In the rush to harness AI, it’s tempting to move fast and fix things later. But responsible innovation needs a solid foundation. That’s where NPL comes in: a neutral, science-driven national resource, convening experts, shaping policy, and quietly doing the work that builds confidence in AI, driving adoption and innovation.
Because in the end, progress isn’t just about what AI can do—it’s about what it should do. And measurement is how we make sure we’re on the right track.
techUK - Seizing the AI Opportunity
For the UK to fully seize the AI opportunity, citizens and businesses must have trust and confidence in AI. techUK and our members champion the development of reliable and safe AI systems that align with the UK’s ethical principles.
AI assurance is central to this mission. Our members engage directly with policy makers, regulators, and industry leaders to influence policy and standards on AI safety and ethics, contributing to a responsible innovation environment. Through these efforts, we help build public trust in AI adoption whilst ensuring our members stay ahead of regulatory developments.
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Tess Buckley
Tess Buckley
A digital ethicist and musician, Tess holds a MA in AI and Philosophy, specialising in ableism in biotechnologies. Their professional journey includes working as an AI Ethics Analyst with a dataset on corporate digital responsibility, followed by supporting the development of a specialised model for sustainability disclosure requests. Currently at techUK as programme manager in digital ethics and AI safety, Tess focuses on demystifying and operationalising ethics through assurance mechanisms and standards. Their primary research interests encompass AI music systems, AI fluency, and technology created by and for differently abled individuals. Their overarching goal is to apply philosophical principles to make emerging technologies both explainable and ethical.
Outside of work Tess enjoys kickboxing, ballet, crochet and jazz music.
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Authors
Sundeep Bhandari
Sundeep (Sunny) works at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) the UK’s National Measurement Institute, responsible for measurement strategy and delivery in the UK and a key component of the UK’s National Quality Infrastructure. NPL develops and maintains the national primary measurement standards and is a Public Corporation owned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Sunny’s work focuses on shaping the evolution of physical metrology and measurement into the new digital world, embedding measurement and traceability into processes using digital and data sciences to deliver confidence in the intelligent and effective use of data. NPL’s more recent work address’ research and development in measurement standards that provide traceability and confidence in end-end digital process’ and lifecycles, as well as develop the assets required in the future to underpin and enable economies and societies to have confidence in ‘data driven decision making at the speed of AI’. These assets will be a critical component of any future digital National Quality Infrastructure.