i-PRO Establishes Pioneering AI Governance Framework and Ethics Committee
Company Takes Industry-Leading Steps to Ensure Responsible AI Development and Compliance with Global Standards
Background
i-PRO Co., Ltd. (formerly Panasonic Security), a global leader in professional security solutions for video protection and public safety, today announced the establishment of a comprehensive AI governance framework. This initiative aims to ensure the responsible research, development, and utilization of AI technologies. Building on the Ethical Principles for AI published by i-PRO in December 2023, the company has taken further steps by launching the i-PRO AI Ethics Committee in June 2024. The committee is tasked with overseeing the newly introduced AI ethics review process, which will be integral to the development lifecycle of AI products. In addition, i-PRO plans to introduce AI ethics training for employees, with the program set to begin in October 2024.
i-PRO has been at the forefront of AI research and development for many years, delivering cutting-edge sensing solutions that utilize edge AI technology in the security, public safety, and medical fields. i-PRO CEO Masato Nakao emphasized the company’s commitment to ethical AI, stating, “i-PRO recognizes the significant impact of AI on society. By establishing an AI governance structure ahead of others in the industry, we are taking proactive steps to ensure that our AI initiatives align with our social responsibilities. Our goal is not only to advance AI technologies but also to lead by example in ethical AI practices. In addition, we will cooperate with industry peers, partners, and customers to foster a culture of responsible AI development and utilization, positioning i-PRO as the industry leader in AI ethics.”
With the rapid spread of AI products and services, there has been a worldwide demand for companies to utilize AI responsibly. ISO/IEC 42001, an international standard for AI management systems, was issued in December 2023, and the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, a comprehensive regulation for AI, was approved in May 2024. i-PRO is actively addressing these standards and regulations to realize its vision to “always create new value contributing to the safety and security of society” through responsible research, development, and utilization of AI.
To learn more about the commitment to responsible AI, please visit the corporate website Responsible AI.
Overview of the i-PRO AI Ethics Committee
Purpose
To discuss and make recommendations regarding ethical issues and risks in the development and utilization of AI in order to realize the i-PRO Ethical Principles for AI.
Role
- Development and maintenance of AI ethics guidelines
- Building and operational support of the AI ethics check process
- Identification of AI risks, investigation, and recommendation of countermeasures
- Planning and implementation of in-house education on AI ethics
Schedule for Establishment of the i-PRO AI Governance Structure
2023
| December | Formulation of the i-PRO Ethical Principles for AI |
2024 | June | Establishment of the i-PRO AI Ethics Committee |
| July - September
| Building of an AI ethics check process Planning and formulation of education on AI ethics |
| October and after | Implementation of in-house education on AI ethics Promotion of compliance with international standards and AI regulations relating to AI management systems |
