Digital ethics and AI assurance

JP Morgan Chase's Chief Information Security Officer, Patrick Opet, has issued an open letter to third-party suppliers outlining new requirements for SaaS delivery models. This landmark communication represents one of the first major financial institutions to call to action comprehensive AI assurance documentation from vendors and suppliers. 

As AI continues to transform industries across the globe, the need for professionals who can operationalise its ethical implementation has never been more critical. Whether you're looking to join the field or are already working as a responsible AI practitioner, these resources from techUK will help you navigate this evolving profession. 

techUK is proud to release its new paper examining the emerging class of Responsible AI (RAI) practitioners and their critical role in ensuring AI systems are developed and deployed ethically, safely, and fairly across the UK economy.

On 3 March, techUK held a workshop with DSIT and DBT to allow members to test the Government’s early thinking on how businesses can be transparent about their use of AI in the workplace, as part of a wider approach to responsible adoption.

AI is transforming education at a breathtaking pace. At this year’s BETT expo, the Secretary of State’s keynote made it clear: AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it is actively reshaping classrooms today. Yet, as this rapid transformation unfolds, critical gaps remain—particularly for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), assistive technology users, and those who require accessible learning tools.

On February 10 and 11, 2025, France hosted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit at the Grand Palais

TechUK and BSI recently hosted a collaborative event bringing together industry experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the critical role of standards in AI development and adoption. Featuring a keynote from Innovate UK in partnership with Built Environment, the event attracted diverse stakeholders eager to understand how well-designed standards can simultaneously foster innovation, build trust, and ensure regulatory alignment. 

The eighth annual Digital Ethics Summit, hosted by techUK on 4 December 2024, marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI ethics and governance. Following 2023's "AI Epiphany" year of breakthrough developments in generative AI, 2024 emerged as a period of practical implementation and organisational introspection. The summit brought together leaders and experts from across the digital ethics landscape to explore how organisations are translating ethical principles into practice through assurance techniques and standards. 

techUK is excited to release its new paper demonstrating how the ethical principles that underpin the AI White Paper are being operationalised within the industry through AI Assurance Techniques and Standards, often referred to as tools for trustworthy AI.

This morning, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Peter Kyle, announced the publication of two new Responsible Technology Adoption Unit (RTA) products at the Financial Times Future of AI Summit. 

On 26 September, the Responsible Technology Adoption Unit (RTA) enhanced its Portfolio of AI Assurance Techniques with new use cases. This portfolio, developed by the RTA (a directorate within DSIT) in initial collaboration with techUK, serves as a valuable resource for individuals and organisations involved in the design, development, deployment, or procurement of AI-enabled systems. 

The United Nations Secretary-General's High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence has unveiled its final report, "Governing AI for Humanity," presenting a blueprint for global AI governance. This landmark document, the culmination of months of intensive work and global consultations, outlines a strategic approach to addressing AI-related risks while promoting the equitable distribution of its transformative potential on a global scale. 

Chatham House has released a collection of essays that examines innovative approaches to AI regulation and governance. It presents and evaluates proposals and mechanisms for ensuring responsible AI, from EU-style regulations to open-source governance, from treaties to CERN-like research facilities and publicly owned corporations. You can read the essays here.  Drawing on perspectives from around the world, the collection underscores the need to protect openness, ensure inclusivity and fairness in AI, and establish clear ethical frameworks and lines of cooperation between states and technology companies. 

On 11 September, techUK held a workshop from 9:30 to 12:30 with DSIT’s Responsible Technology Adoption Unit (RTA), featuring an address from Felicity Burch, Director of RTA and facilitation by Nuala Polo, AI Assurance Lead of RTA with attendance from techUK’s Digital Ethics working group members. This session allowed for testing and feedback on a forthcoming assurance tool set for public consultation in Autumn 2024.