🚀 ISO/IEC 42001 is Here—Are You Ready for AI Governance?

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how organizations operate—but with innovation comes responsibility.

In response to growing global concerns around bias, transparency, ethics, and security in AI, ISO/IEC 42001:2023 has arrived as the first international standard for AI Management Systems (AIMS).

For many organizations, this is a major milestone—and a necessary framework to ensure trustworthy, safe, and compliant AI systems. But let’s be honest: it’s also complex. Figuring out where to start with ISO 42001 can feel like a daunting task.

That’s why I’ve created a free ISO 42001 Gap Analysis Tool—a practical, Google sheet template that helps teams quickly assess their current level of readiness against the standard’s core requirements.

Google Sheet: Explore the ISO/IEC 42001:2023 AIMS Gap Assessment Tool →

Excel version is coming soon!

🛠️ Why a Gap Analysis Tool?

Before jumping into compliance projects, audits, or certification plans, every organization needs to understand one thing:

Where are we today—and what’s missing?

The tool provides a structured way to:

• Understand what each ISO 42001 clause is asking for
• Evaluate your organization's current practices (or lack thereof)
• Prioritize actions based on risk and readiness
• Assign ownership and timelines to improvement areas

It’s designed with real-world use in mind—whether you're a tech startup building AI tools, an enterprise deploying AI across departments, or a consulting firm helping others do the same.

✅ What’s Inside the Template?

The gap analysis covers all major sections of ISO/IEC 42001, including:

Context of the Organization

Identify internal and external issues, stakeholder expectations, and the scope of your AIMS.

Leadership and Governance

Define roles, responsibilities, and top-level commitment to AI governance.

Planning

Establish risk assessments, compliance obligations, and governance objectives.

Support and Documentation

Ensure your teams have the right skills, training, and documented procedures.

AI System Risk Assessment and Treatment

Manage bias, explainability, security, and fairness risks across your AI lifecycle.

Monitoring and Improvement

Set up internal audits, impact assessments, and performance tracking systems to support continual improvement.

Each row in the tool lets you document your compliance status (Yes/No/Partial), assign risk levels, write notes or evidence, and assign responsible individuals or teams.

🎯 Who This Is For

This tool is ideal for:

• Compliance and governance teams beginning their ISO 42001 journey
• AI/ML teams building operational safeguards into their development lifecycle
• CISOs, CTOs, and CIOs driving trustworthy AI adoption
• Consultants and auditors supporting clients in AI governance assessments

💡 Why I Built This (And Why It's Free)

I believe responsible AI doesn’t start with technology—it starts with understanding. That means having clear, simple tools that make complex standards more approachable.

This isn’t a sales funnel or lead magnet. It’s something I built to help organizations take meaningful steps toward AI maturity and ISO 42001 compliance.

📄 Ready to Get Started?

You can download the tool or open it in Google Sheets using the link below:

👉 Access the ISO/IEC 42001:2023 AIMS Gap Assessment Tool →

Feel free to copy, adapt, or extend it however you like. And if you're looking for support interpreting the results or planning your roadmap, I'm happy to help.

Let’s build trustworthy AI—one step at a time.

💬 Let’s Talk I’d love to hear how you’re thinking about AI governance or what challenges you’re running into with ISO 42001. Drop me a message or connect on Contact us for a quick chat →

All the best!

Ben