Sapia.ai certified to ISO/IEC 42001: Setting the global standard for Responsible AI in hiring
Ethical AI doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through transparency, rigorous science, and strong governance.
We are proud to share that Sapia.ai has achieved ISO/IEC 42001:2023, the world’s first international standard for AI management systems. This certification is independent proof that every part of our AI, from design to deployment, follows a framework of integrity, accountability, and fairness.
Governance before growth
While many providers rush AI features to market, we have taken a different path by putting governance first. Since 2018, our platform has been built on science and ethics.
In 2021, we introduced the FAIR™ Framework (Fair AI for Recruitment), setting a global benchmark for what responsible AI in hiring should look like: explainable, inclusive, and continuously tested for bias. Achieving ISO 42001 builds on that foundation, formalising years of responsible practice.
“Responsible AI isn’t new for us, it’s our foundation,” says Barb Hyman, CEO & Founder. “Our customers trust us with decisions that affect people’s lives. ISO 42001 provides further proof that our systems are built for accountability and transparency.”
Built on science and secure by design
Sapia.ai is the first AI interview company to achieve ISO 42001 certification, reflecting our approach to responsible data use, model training, and validation.
Our models are trained on behavioural data from more than eight million structured interviews and three billion words of human responses, measuring genuine skills and competencies rather than using inferred or scraped data. This foundation ensures that our AI is grounded in evidence and fairness.
We also maintain a full suite of enterprise-grade security and compliance credentials, including:
- ISO 27001 certification for information security management
- SOC 2 Type II attestation
- GDPR and UK DPA 2018 compliance
- AWS Bedrock data hosting, which ensures zero data sharing or retention with LLM providers
- Privacy by Design and regular third-party security audits
Each certification supports the same goal: giving customers confidence that innovation is backed by integrity.
What it means for HR leaders
With the EU AI Act about to reshape how enterprises govern AI, independent validation has never mattered more. ISO 42001 demonstrates that Sapia.ai already meets these standards: ethical, compliant, and explainable by design.
Our mission is to prove that AI can be both powerful and principled, helping organisations hire faster and fairer while preserving the dignity of every candidate.
Responsible AI is both good governance, good business, and it’s how brilliant hiring gets done.
FAQ: Responsible AI and ISO 42001 Certification
1. What is ISO/IEC 42001:2023?
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 is the world’s first international standard for AI management systems. It sets out how organisations should design, implement, and monitor AI responsibly. The framework ensures transparency, fairness, and accountability across all AI operations.
2. Why is ISO 42001 important for HR and recruitment?
For HR and TA leaders, ISO 42001 certification provides assurance that AI systems used in hiring meet global standards for governance and compliance. It reduces risk under new regulations such as the EU AI Act and demonstrates a commitment to fairness, transparency, and data protection.
3. How does Sapia.ai ensure ethical use of AI in hiring?
Sapia.ai’s platform is built on the FAIR™ Framework (Fair AI for Recruitment), a science-backed model for designing, testing, and monitoring AI that is fair, explainable, and inclusive. All models are validated, bias-tested, and audited regularly to ensure consistent fairness across candidate groups.
4. What other certifications does Sapia.ai hold?
In addition to ISO 42001, Sapia.ai holds ISO 27001 certification for information security management, SOC 2 Type II attestation, and full GDPR and UK DPA 2018 compliance. The platform is hosted on AWS Bedrock, ensuring that data is never shared or retained by LLM providers.
5. How does Sapia.ai differ from other AI hiring tools?
Sapia.ai is an AI-native platform built on behavioural science and more than eight million structured interviews. Unlike generic AI tools, Sapia.ai measures real skills and competencies using structured, conversational assessments that are inclusive and explainable by design.
6. What does this mean for candidates?
Every candidate who completes a Sapia.ai Chat Interview receives feedback and insights, ensuring a transparent and respectful experience. This approach restores fairness and dignity to hiring, aligning with our broader mission to humanise recruitment.
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