Navigating ISO/IEC 42001: A Practical Framework for the Governance and Management of Artificial Intelligence Systems

This repository contains "Navigating ISO/IEC 42001: A Practical Framework for the Governance and Management of Artificial Intelligence Systems," a scholarly working paper that provides a practical and management-system-oriented interpretation of the world's first certifiable Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) standard. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into business operations, public-sector services, decision-making processes, and digital products, organizations face growing challenges related to governance, accountability, transparency, risk management, cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory compliance. ISO/IEC 42001 was developed to address these challenges by providing a structured framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving AI governance within organizations. This paper translates the requirements and intent of ISO/IEC 42001 into a practical implementation framework for executives, AI practitioners, auditors, compliance professionals, information security teams, consultants, and public-sector leaders. It explains how the standard aligns with established management-system disciplines and how organizations can integrate AI governance into existing frameworks such as quality management, information security, risk management, innovation management, and corporate governance. The publication examines the structure of the standard, discusses implementation considerations, explores governance and audit implications, and presents a roadmap for organizations seeking to establish a robust and certifiable Artificial Intelligence Management System. Particular attention is given to risk-based thinking, accountability mechanisms, AI assurance, governance controls, human oversight, and the strategic value of trustworthy AI. This work is intended as both an educational and practical resource for organizations seeking to operationalize responsible AI governance and prepare for emerging regulatory and stakeholder expectations regarding the development, deployment, and management of artificial intelligence systems. Author: Celso Alvarado, MSc, Ph.D.ORCID: 0000-0003-2826-6217 Series: Nebusis Artificial Intelligence Governance Working Paper SeriesPublication Type: Working PaperYear: 2026 Keywords: ISO/IEC 42001, Artificial Intelligence Management System, AIMS, AI Governance, Responsible AI, AI Risk Management, AI Assurance, AI Compliance, NIST AI RMF, Trustworthy AI, Management Systems, Artificial Intelligence.