SoftBank earns ISO/IEC 42001:2023 for TASUKI Annotation

SoftBank's announcement comes as part of its broader push under the growth strategy 'Activate AI for Society,' aiming to implement AI across all its businesses. The certification applies specifically to 'TASUKI Annotation,' a service that structures internal data for use in RAG pipelines, which enhance generative AI answers. The move reflects a response to the growing need for data quality, transparency, and continuous risk management as AI adoption expands.

The certification process involved an assessment by BSI Assurance UK Limited, which confirmed that SoftBank's AI management system for the service meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 42001:2023. This standard covers establishing, operating, maintaining, and improving an AI management system. SoftBank frames this as part of its commitment to responsible AI development, provision, and use, guided by its 'SoftBank AI Ethics Policy.'

The significance appears to lie in moving from self-declared principles to a verifiable, third-party-audited framework. SoftBank indicates it will use the insights gained to improve its AI governance structure and is considering pursuing similar certifications for other products and services. The enduring test will be whether this certified governance translates into consistently reliable and transparent AI offerings, benefiting the enterprise customers who rely on such data services.