ISO 42001 - AI Policy (Clause 5.2)

Created in June 04, 2025

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ISO 42001: AI Policy (Clause 5.2) with TurboAudit by [Kimova AI](https://kimova.ai)

After leadership commitment has been firmly established (Clause 5.1), the next foundational requirement in ISO/IEC 42001 is to formulate and communicate an AI policy. Clause 5.2 outlines the expectations around this policy, which acts as a cornerstone for the entire AI Management System (AIMS).

An AI policy is more than a formal document—it is a statement of intent, reflecting the organization’s values, strategic direction, and governance expectations around the development and use of AI.

What Clause 5.2 Requires

ISO 42001 mandates that top management establish, implement, and maintain an AI policy that:

  • Is appropriate to the purpose and context of the organization
  • Provides a framework for setting objectives
  • Includes a commitment to fulfill applicable requirements
  • Commits to the responsible development and use of AI
  • Supports the continual improvement of the AIMS
  • Is documented, communicated, and available to relevant stakeholders

Importantly, this policy must not exist in isolation. It must integrate with broader corporate governance and risk management frameworks.

Why an AI Policy Is Critical

In the context of AI, organizations face a growing landscape of technological, ethical, legal, and reputational risks. A well-crafted AI policy:

  • Serves as a guiding document for developers, data scientists, legal teams, and leadership
  • Helps ensure regulatory alignment across jurisdictions
  • Signals internal and external accountability
  • Clarifies the organization’s stance on AI ethics, transparency, explainability, fairness, and more
  • Provides a benchmark against which compliance can be measured

In essence, the policy shapes how AI is developed, deployed, and governed—and communicates those principles clearly to the entire organization.

Key Elements of a Strong AI Policy

A well-written AI policy typically includes:

  1. Purpose and scope – What the policy covers (e.g., AI lifecycle stages, systems in use, departments involved)
  2. Commitment to principles – Fairness, accountability, privacy, transparency, safety, and non-discrimination
  3. Governance structure – Roles and responsibilities for oversight
  4. Regulatory compliance – Adherence to laws, standards, and internal controls
  5. Continuous improvement – An explicit goal of evolving the policy and systems in line with technology and risk
  6. Application across lifecycle – From data collection to model retirement, the policy must address the full lifecycle

Implementation Tips

  • Involve cross-functional teams in drafting the policy—AI governance touches multiple departments.
  • Tailor the policy to your organization—avoid boilerplate language that fails to address your specific context and use cases.
  • Ensure accessibility—make the policy available and understandable to all employees working with or impacted by AI systems.
  • Link the policy to operational objectives—so it’s not treated as a standalone document, but as part of your daily business strategy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Overly generic policies that lack operational relevance
  • Failure to communicate the policy to staff and stakeholders
  • Lack of leadership endorsement, making the policy seem optional or superficial
  • Static policies that don’t evolve with AI risks and regulatory changes

The Policy as a Living Document

Like any element of an effective management system, your AI policy should evolve. As technologies mature, regulations shift, and organizational priorities change, so too should your guiding principles. Build in a regular review process to ensure the policy remains relevant and actionable.

In tomorrow’s article, we’ll discuss Clause 5.3: Organizational Roles, Responsibilities, and Authorities—exploring how to ensure accountability and clarity in AI governance throughout your organization.

Stay tuned, and subscribe if you haven’t already—this journey through ISO 42001 is just beginning.

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