ISO/IEC 42001:2023 · Abu Dhabi city, ADGM, Hub71 and Masdar City
ISO 42001 Certification in Abu Dhabi
Intello’s ISO 42001 consultants in Abu Dhabi help AI companies, government suppliers and regulated firms govern the AI they build and use. We set up an AI management system (AIMS), run your AI risk and impact assessments, and prepare you for certification.
- On site in Abu Dhabi
- Built on our ISO 27001 experience
- 500+ clients
What is ISO 42001 certification?
ISO/IEC 42001 is the international standard for an AI management system (AIMS). It sets out how an organisation governs the AI it develops, provides or uses: policies, roles, risk and impact assessments, data and model controls, and monitoring. Certification means an accredited body has audited that system.
| Standard | ISO/IEC 42001:2023, published December 2023 |
|---|---|
| Applies to | Any organisation that develops, provides or uses AI systems, of any size |
| Structure | Clauses 4 to 10, the same structure as ISO 27001, plus 38 Annex A controls |
| Certification | By an accredited certification body. ISO/IEC 42006:2025 sets the rules those bodies follow |
| Mandatory? | Not by UAE law as of November 2026, but increasingly asked for by government buyers and clients |
| Where we work | On site anywhere in Abu Dhabi, and remotely from our Dubai office |
AI governance and ISO 42001 in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has made AI a national priority, from research to government services. That brings opportunity, and growing expectations that AI is used responsibly.
Government suppliers
Abu Dhabi’s Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027 aims for a fully AI-native government by 2027. Suppliers of AI-enabled services will be asked how their AI is governed.
Hub71 and AI start-ups
AI product companies whose enterprise and government clients now ask for proof of responsible AI.
Masdar City
Research and clean-tech companies close to the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, building and training models.
ADGM firms
Financial firms using AI on personal data under the ADGM data protection regulations. See ADGM compliance.
Healthcare
DoH-licensed providers using AI for diagnosis, triage or administration, alongside ADHICS.
Energy and industry
Companies using AI for maintenance, safety and operations, where errors have physical consequences.
Also available: ISO 42001 in Dubai · ISO 42001 across the UAE · ISO 42001 in Sharjah
Do you need ISO 42001 certification in Abu Dhabi?
ISO 42001 is usually worth it if any of these apply to you:
- You supply AI-enabled services to Abu Dhabi or federal government entities
- You build or sell AI products, and clients ask how your models are governed
- You use AI on personal data in ADGM, or in decisions that affect customers or patients
- You sell AI systems into the EU and need to prepare for the EU AI Act
- You already hold ISO 27001 and want to extend it to AI
- Your board wants a clear view of where AI is used and what could go wrong
Not ready for certification yet? Our AI governance consulting in Abu Dhabi often starts with an assessment: an inventory of AI use, the main risks and a short action plan. It is useful on its own and the first stage of ISO 42001.
What ISO 42001 implementation involves
Like ISO 27001, ISO 42001 has a management system (clauses 4 to 10) and a set of Annex A controls chosen based on your risks.
AI inventory and scope
A list of the AI systems you develop, provide or use, and which of them the AIMS covers.
AI policy and roles
An AI policy, clear accountability and the roles needed to oversee AI, approved by management.
AI risk assessment
A repeatable method to assess AI risks such as bias, errors, security and misuse, with a treatment plan.
AI impact assessment
An assessment of how each AI system affects people and society, following ISO/IEC 42005:2025.
Data and model controls
Controls over training data quality, provenance, model development, testing and change.
Third parties and suppliers
Due diligence on AI vendors and models you rely on, including large language model providers.
Monitoring and human oversight
How AI performance is monitored, when humans step in, and how incidents are handled.
Internal audit and review
An internal audit and management review before the certification audit, then yearly improvement.
Our ISO 42001 implementation in Abu Dhabi, step by step
A fixed path from your first AI inventory to certification.
- 1
Discovery call
We understand how you use AI, who is asking for ISO 42001, and which rules apply, such as ADGM or sector regulators.
Week 0 · free
- 2
AI governance assessment
An inventory of AI systems, a gap assessment against ISO 42001 and a prioritised plan.
Weeks 1–3
- 3
Policies, roles and risk method
AI policy, accountability, risk and impact assessment methods, written with your team in on-site workshops.
Weeks 3–6
- 4
Assessments and controls
Risk and impact assessments for each in-scope AI system, and the Annex A controls put into practice.
Weeks 5–14
- 5
Internal audit and management review
A full internal audit and management review, so issues are fixed before the certification body arrives.
Before the audit
- 6
Certification audit support
We help you choose an accredited certification body and support you through both audit stages.
Stage 1 and Stage 2
Organisations that already hold ISO 27001 often move faster, because the management system is already in place.
What you get
- AI system inventory
- Gap assessment against ISO/IEC 42001
- AI policy and roles, approved by management
- AI risk assessment method, register and treatment plan
- AI impact assessments for in-scope systems
- Statement of Applicability for the Annex A controls
- Mapping to ADGM or ADHICS requirements where relevant
- Internal audit report and certification audit support
Choose how we work with you
AI governance assessment
2–3 weeksBest for: Knowing where AI is used and what the risks are
- · AI inventory
- · ISO 42001 gap assessment
- · Action plan
Full ISO 42001 implementation
4–6 monthsBest for: Getting certified
- · AIMS build
- · Risk and impact assessments
- · Certification audit support
Ongoing AIMS support
YearlyBest for: Staying certified year after year
- · Internal audits
- · Surveillance audit support
- · AI risk register updates
Supplying AI to Abu Dhabi government or enterprise clients?
A 30-minute call is enough to map your AI use and tell you what ISO 42001 would take.
ISO 42001 vs ISO 27001 for Abu Dhabi organisations
The two standards share the same structure and work well together. Many organisations run them as one integrated system.
| ISO 27001 | ISO 42001 | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Security of information | Responsible development and use of AI |
| Key assessment | Information security risk assessment | AI risk assessment and AI impact assessment |
| Annex A | 93 controls | 38 controls |
| Typical driver | Clients, tenders, regulators | Government AI programmes, AI clients, the EU AI Act |
What affects the cost of ISO 42001 certification in Abu Dhabi
You get a written scope and a fixed fee after the discovery call. These are the factors that move it:
- Number of AI systems
- How many AI systems are in scope, and whether you build them or buy them.
- Your role
- Developer, provider or user of AI: developers have more controls to cover.
- Risk level
- AI that affects citizens, patients or money needs deeper impact assessments.
- Existing ISO 27001
- An existing ISMS shortens the project considerably.
- Regulatory mapping
- Mapping to ADGM or ADHICS requirements.
- Certification body fees
- Paid directly to the certification body, separate from our fees.
Why organisations choose Intello as their ISO 42001 consultants in Abu Dhabi
23+
years in UAE cybersecurity
500+
clients served
99%
client satisfaction
Management-system experience. ISO 42001 follows the same structure as ISO 27001, which we have implemented for years.
Security built in. AI risks include security risks such as prompt injection and data leakage. We cover both.
Local regulation. We map your AIMS to ADGM, ADHICS and other UAE expectations, not only the standard.
On site in Abu Dhabi. Workshops at your premises, with remote work in between.
Frequently asked questions
Is ISO 42001 mandatory in Abu Dhabi?
No. As of November 2026 no UAE law requires ISO 42001 certification. Organisations get it because government buyers and clients ask how AI is governed, to show regulators that AI is under control, or to prepare for the EU AI Act.
How much does ISO 42001 certification cost in Abu Dhabi?
There are two costs: the consultant’s fee to build your AI management system, and the certification body’s audit fee. Both depend on the number of AI systems in scope, whether you develop or only use AI, and whether you already hold ISO 27001. We give a fixed fee after a free discovery call.
How long does ISO 42001 take?
Most organisations take four to six months from the first assessment to certification. Those that already run ISO 27001 are usually faster, because the management system is already in place.
Why does ISO 42001 matter for Abu Dhabi government suppliers?
Abu Dhabi aims to be a fully AI-native government by 2027, so more government services will rely on AI from suppliers. Showing a recognised AI management system is a clear way to answer the governance questions that come with that.
Can we combine ISO 42001 with ISO 27001?
Yes. Both use the same clause structure, so one integrated management system can cover information security and AI, with shared policies, internal audits and management reviews.
Do you work on site in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Discovery workshops, risk assessments and the internal audit are done at your Abu Dhabi premises, with document work done remotely.
Can Intello certify us?
No. Certification comes from an independent, accredited certification body. We build and prepare your AI management system and support you through the audits.
Related services
Get ISO 42001 in Abu Dhabi, without the guesswork
Tell us a little about how you use AI. We will set up a free 30-minute discovery call.
What happens next
- 1We get in touch to arrange a call
- 2A 30-minute discovery call
- 3A written scope, timeline and fixed fee
Prefer to talk now? Call +971 55 355 6787