Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the landscape of corporate certification processes, bringing with it a wave of groundbreaking innovation that makes procedures significantly faster, more precise, and less prone to human error. It is one of the major innovations in the world of corporate compliance, fundamentally changing the way certifications are perceived and managed.
“In the past, corporate certifications were always seen and perceived as lengthy, complex procedures that were time-consuming and vulnerable to human error. Today, however, thanks to the adoption of advanced technologies, we can improve efficiency and enhance the overall reliability of controls,” says Manolo Valori, Technical Director of CVI Italia, the Italian branch of the Slovakian group CVI SRO.
By Roberta Imbimbo
Dr. Valori, how is Artificial Intelligence transforming the corporate certification sector?
Corporate certifications, once characterized by numerous manual steps, checks, and documentation, are evolving thanks to the introduction of AI-based solutions, which are literally transforming the way businesses comply with regulatory standards. A key area of AI intervention is the automation of data collection and analysis processes. To obtain certifications, companies must demonstrate compliance with a range of international standards, from environmental and quality standards to those related to safety and privacy. Traditionally, this activity required long and meticulous data gathering, document preparation, and continuous monitoring of various compliance indicators (an activity that also came with material costs). With AI adoption, however, data collection has become significantly faster, more accurate, and more efficient, as it greatly reduces the risk of human error, speeding up the time required to produce the necessary documentation for certification.
Automation, however, does not stop at data collection—it also includes analysis to detect any non-conformities or anomalies in a timely manner, enabling companies to quickly address issues before they become significant problems.
In addition to speeding up and automating data collection, how is AI transforming the corporate auditing process, particularly with the creation of predictive and continuous systems?
Traditionally, companies had to wait for a certifying body or external entity to conduct an audit to verify compliance with standards and regulations. As AI integrates seamlessly with business information systems, optimizing workflow and improving operational efficiency, companies can now continuously monitor and manage their internal processes, reporting any misalignments in real time. This offers a major advantage in terms of timeliness, efficiency, and reducing the risk of unreported violations. With AI, audits are no longer limited to examining data or performing periodic checks; they become predictive tools capable of forecasting or anticipating problems or non-compliances before they actually occur. In other words, a predictive audit could detect early signs of potential issues, such as even a slight deviation from the standard, that could lead to a future regulatory violation. This would allow companies to intervene promptly, preventing a situation from escalating into a significant problem.
Reducing human error is one of the most significant ways AI is making a difference in corporate certification processes.
Traditionally, human error (such as transcription mistakes, omissions, misinterpretations, or oversights) has been identified as one of the primary causes of non-compliance, leading to violations of standards, delays in certifications, and, in some cases, even penalties or reputational damage. Reducing human error is therefore one of the most important innovations in this field. AI, with its ability to analyze large volumes of data in real time, ensures accurate and impartial evaluations, improving the quality and reliability of certifications, and allowing companies to be more efficient and competitive in complying with international regulations.
AI is emerging as a powerful tool for inspectors and auditors, facilitating their work and improving audit effectiveness.
Absolutely! In the past, verification and control activities heavily relied on manual data analysis, with the risk of errors, disorganization, and time losses. Today, thanks to the adoption of AI-based solutions, inspectors can rely on advanced tools that enhance and accelerate their work. It is important to note, however, that AI will not replace the work of auditors but will serve as a fundamental support tool, greatly improving the efficiency and effectiveness of their work. There are, in fact, aspects of an auditor’s job that require human judgment, contextual interpretation, and an understanding of emotional, cultural, and interactive factors that only a person can manage. The future of audit processes will, therefore, be a collaborative approach between humans and machines, where AI will provide advanced review tools, analysis, and identification of non-compliance trends. This will enhance the accuracy and speed of audits, optimizing the entire auditing process.
Artificial Intelligence offers enormous opportunities, but like any advanced technology, it also brings along certain risks that must be addressed to ensure its ethical and secure use.
Yes, the concern is that AI-driven automation may be used improperly, unethically, and opaquely. To address these issues, the ISO world has recently introduced a new international standard for the responsible management of AI systems. ISO 42001 fits into a context where advanced technologies are rapidly changing the industrial and social landscape, and organizations need clear guidelines to manage these changes safely and ethically. Its introduction responds to the growing need to establish international standards regulating the ethical and transparent use of AI, providing a framework for the safe adoption of AI technology, and addressing specific risks related to AI use, such as cybersecurity, data privacy, and algorithm reliability.
Companies planning to integrate AI into their certification processes in the future will need to obtain ISO 42001 certification to ensure the compliant and responsible use of AI. Only in this way can these technologies become powerful tools for improving business processes, while ensuring that their use adheres to strict ethical and legal standards.
