Unifonic, a Middle East-based customer engagement platform, has become one of the first companies in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region to earn ISO 42001 certification for responsible AI management systems. This achievement positions the company as a pioneer in AI governance while addressing growing concerns about AI regulatory compliance, with research showing that 65% of organizations fail to ensure proper AI compliance and 73% of leaders worry about AI risks.
What you should know: ISO 42001 is an internationally recognized standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems that was introduced in December 2023.
- The certification requires organizations to integrate AI management systems across their entire enterprise, focusing on sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology where AI is extensively used.
- It promotes ethical AI implementation while building stakeholder trust through demonstrated commitment to responsible AI practices.
Why this matters: The timing coincides with exponential growth in the global AI market, yet nearly half of organizations remain vulnerable to cybersecurity threats related to AI deployment.
- Adopting responsible AI practices enables organizations to systematically identify and mitigate AI-related risks early, while demonstrating enhanced credibility and preparing for future regulations.
- The certification transforms how organizations manage AI systems by addressing the pressing need for robust AI governance in today’s dynamic digital landscape.
How Unifonic achieved certification: The company implemented a carefully designed strategy that involved comprehensive evaluation and preparation.
- Unifonic evaluated existing AI practices against ISO 42001 requirements and engaged with accredited bodies for guidance.
- The company implemented comprehensive staff training, AI governance documentation, and technical safeguards before undergoing formal assessment by an accredited body.
- Leadership engagement was crucial to enhance resources and ensure successful implementation.
What they’re saying: “We are honoured to receive this global certification, which highlights Unifonic’s relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to responsible AI practices,” said Ahmed Hamdan, CEO & Co-Founder of Unifonic.
- “This remarkable achievement has paved the way for enhanced transparency, data privacy, accountability and fairness. It further marks a key milestone in our long-standing efforts to drive sustainable AI innovation, while enhancing stakeholder trust and ensuring regulatory readiness.”
The big picture: This certification aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader commitment to investing in AI and empowering institutions to adopt advanced AI systems.
- Unifonic’s achievement ensures clear AI system documentation, protection of sensitive information throughout the AI lifecycle, and seamless delegation of AI governance responsibilities.
- The company’s pioneering status in the region demonstrates how organizations can proactively address AI governance challenges while maintaining competitive advantage.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...