London-based Synthesia is the leading AI video platform to enable the creation of studio-quality videos with AI avatars and voiceovers in over 140 languages.
With an innovative product used by 65,000 clients worldwide, including 70% of Fortune 100 companies, Synthesia aimed to showcase their dedication to responsible AI use and high-quality security practices. To do this, Synthesia partnered with A-LIGN to achieve ISO/IEC 42001 certification and become trailblazers in AI compliance.
The challenge
As AI technology progresses, global regulations evolve to address emerging challenges. The EU AI Act set transparency, fairness, and accountability standards for AI systems, prompting Synthesia to proactively adapt and lead in compliance, standing apart from companies slower to react.
With robust governance and a strong ethical foundation, Synthesia prioritized data protection, responsible use, and abuse prevention to build customer trust. The EU AI Act became a catalyst for strengthening security measures and meeting the rising expectations for compliance.
“It was challenging to find the right audit partner, as no firms were yet accredited. We saw A-LIGN as a market leader ready to take on the challenge with us.”
-Nicolás Barberis, Security Manager
Synthesia took the lead in driving market adoption of rigorous standards by pursuing ISO 42001 certification, a global benchmark for AI management systems. This strategic initiative not only underscored their commitment to setting an industry standard but also positioned them as a leader in ethical AI, enabling them to exceed EU AI Act requirements while shaping the future of AI governance to stay ahead of evolving regulations.
In early 2024, many ISO certification bodies lacked accreditation for the new ISO 42001 framework. Synthesia faced the challenge of identifying a high-quality audit provider undergoing ISO 42001 accreditation—an ambitious undertaking in the realm of AI compliance.
Why A-LIGN
Synthesia identified A-LIGN as a market leader and trusted collaborator, partnering with them to overcome challenges and achieve certification as a team.
“A high-quality audit is crucial, as reports from trusted third parties carry significantly more value than those from less experienced firms. A report from a reputable partner like A-LIGN enhances credibility and strongly influences how our customers evaluate certifications.“
-Nicolás Barberis, Security Manager
Moreover, Synthesia recognized that certifications from established organizations like A-LIGN fostered greater trust in the accreditation process. This credibility influenced how Synthesia’s customers perceived certifications, emphasizing the clear advantage of working with reputable and experienced firm.
During the audit process, the Synthesia team found A-LIGN’s expertise and meticulous approach enabled Synthesia to identify and address gaps in their processes, ensuring they could provide the highest level of assurance to their clients and stakeholders.
Through this partnership, Synthesia found a dedicated ally to navigate with through this transformative journey. With Synthesia earning ISO 42001 certification and A-LIGN achieving accreditation to conduct assessments under the standard, they set an industry benchmark to foster trust and support the future of AI development and compliance.
Results
After a successful assessment, Synthesia became the first AI video generation company to become ISO 42001 certified.
Earning ISO 42001 certification validated Synthesia’s already stringent security practices, which included robust AI governance, supply chain accountability, and adherence to strict obligations. This milestone showcased to the world that Synthesia meets the highest standards for security and compliance.
This foundation positions the company to continuously enhance its security measures and adapt to evolving technologies and regulations, ensuring sustained trust and resilience.
The achievement had a positive reputational impact, drawing media coverage and significant interest from customers, vendors, and other stakeholders who were eager to learn about their journey, motivations, and approach.
To meet the diverse needs of clients and future regulations, Synthesia is actively pursuing opportunities to broaden its compliance portfolio. As it embarks on its next certification initiative, Synthesia looks forward to collaborating with A-LIGN to achieve new milestones and further strengthen its position as a trusted AI platform.
About Synthesia
Synthesia is the world’s leading enterprise AI video platform. More than 65,000 businesses, including 70% of the Fortune 100, use it to communicate efficiently and share knowledge at scale using AI avatars. Founded in 2017, Synthesia is headquartered in London and makes video creation, collaboration and sharing easy for everyone. Learn more at https://synthesia.io/.