Facial recognition technology provider Facewatch is claiming an industry first with certification for the systems it has in place to ensure the responsible use of AI in preventing shop crime.
It says that obtaining ISO/IEC 42001:2023 accreditation is a “significant milestone” for the company, which works with forecourt operators such as SGN, Lawrences Garages, and DK Forecourts to prevent shoplifting, and abuse and violence against staff.
Facewatch chief executive Nick Fisher says that the use of facial recognition to stamp out crime will only work if standards are in place to ensure that the customer data captured is handled responsibly.
“Live facial recognition will only maintain confidence if it is governed as rigorously as it is engineered,” he maintains.
“ISO/IEC 42001 gives retailers, regulators and the public independent evidence that Facewatch is not simply deploying AI-powered technology, but managing it through a formal, independently audited governance framework.
“We believe we are the world’s first UK-based provider of live facial recognition technology to retailers to achieve ISO/IEC 42001 certification for a crime prevention use and, as such, this is a significant milestone for our business and the responsible use of AI in tackling theft and protecting shop workers.”
He adds: “This certification reflects our long-term commitment to responsible, proportionate and evidence-led use of live facial recognition as retailers face sustained pressure from theft, abuse and violence against employees.”
ISO/IEC 42001 is the world’s first international management system standard dedicated to artificial intelligence. It provides a formal framework for how organisations establish, maintain and continually improve the governance of AI systems, including risk management, accountability, transparency, lifecycle control, monitoring, and, oversight, which Facewatch says is a vital component of its system.
