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Society of Virtual Assistants AI Statement

Artificial Intelligence Statement for the Society of Virtual Assistants

At the UK Society of Virtual Assistants (SVA), we recognise the significant impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the virtual assistant industry. And whilst we are committed to embracing its potential we also ensure our use of AI aligns with regulatory requirements as well as our ethics and values, including the provisions set out in the proposed EU AI Act. This Act whilst not yet in force in the UK the EU AI Act establishes a framework for the ethical and safe deployment of AI, and we are dedicated to upholding its principles in our operations and services and use the act as a guideline for our standards.

How We Use AI

We may use AI tools to improve operational efficiency and to create content. These applications help automate routine processes, streamline communications, and generate informative content for newsletters, training, and membership services. However, human oversight remains a fundamental and over-arching aspect of our approach, ensuring that AI complements, rather than replaces, our personal engagement and professional expertise.

Regulatory Compliance

To ensure our AI systems are deployed responsibly and safely, we adhere to the following principles based on the EU AI Act:

  1. Risk-Based Approach:
    The AI tools we use are classified as “low-risk” under the EU AI Act, meaning they are primarily utilised for automating routine tasks and optimising operational processes. We avoid deploying any AI that would fall into the “high-risk” category, such as those impacting fundamental rights, employment, or safety-critical areas, unless fully compliant with the required standards.
  2. Transparency and Explanation:
    In line with the EU AI Act’s transparency obligations, we ensure that our members and clients are clearly informed when interacting with AI-driven systems. We provide explanations of how these systems work and their potential impact, ensuring informed consent and trust in our AI applications.
  3. Human Oversight:
    The Society of Virtual Assistants maintains human oversight over all AI-related activities. While AI may be used to assist in automating tasks, humans are always involved in decision-making processes, particularly when it comes to critical areas such as membership management, service delivery, or any activity that could affect individuals’ rights and interests.
  4. Data Protection and Privacy:
    In compliance with both the EU AI Act, the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR, we prioritise the protection of personal and sensitive data. As standard practice, we do not feed personal data into any AI systems, even though the systems we do use are designed with data privacy at their core. Any data processed that may be passed through AI tools is handled with the strictest safeguards, ensuring it is anonymised or pseudonymised wherever possible and never used in ways that infringe upon the privacy rights of individuals.
  5. Bias and Fairness:
    We actively monitor and assess our AI systems to minimise any potential bias or discriminatory outcomes. Regular audits are performed to ensure that our AI systems promote fairness and do not disproportionately impact any individual or group. This commitment aligns with the EU AI Act’s focus on ensuring non-discriminatory outcomes from AI use.
  6. Security and Safety:
    We adhere to strict cybersecurity protocols to ensure that our AI systems are secure and resilient to any external threats. Regular assessments and updates are conducted to address vulnerabilities and maintain the integrity of our systems, in line with the safety requirements of the EU AI Act, Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR.

Continuous Monitoring and Improvement

We are dedicated to continuous improvement and regular evaluation of our AI systems to ensure ongoing compliance with the EU AI Act, Data Protection Act 2018, GDPR and other applicable regulations. Any updates to the Act or relevant legislation will be promptly integrated into our AI governance strategy. Feedback from our members is also a critical component of this process, helping us refine our use of AI in ways that benefit both the Society and the wider virtual assistance community.

Commitment to Responsible AI Use

The UK Society of Virtual Assistants is committed to ensuring that AI serves as a responsible and beneficial tool within our organisation. By complying with the principles of the EU AI Act, we aim to foster trust and confidence in the ethical use of AI, prioritising the rights, privacy, and safety of our members and their clients.

If you have any questions or concerns about our use of AI or our compliance with the EU AI Act, please feel free to contact us.


This statement reflects a commitment to ethical AI usage that aligns with the EU AI Act’s risk-based framework, focusing on transparency, privacy, and human oversight to ensure responsible AI integration at the UK Society of Virtual Assistants.

Published: 14th October 2024