Eversheds Sutherland Achieves DIFC Regulation 10 Approved Certification Body Status to Support Trusted AI Adoption

Eversheds Sutherland has achieved Approved Certification Body (ACB) status under the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Regulation 10 framework. Through Konexo, the firm's alternative legal and professional services business, Eversheds Sutherland is now positioned to support organisations with AI governance readiness, certification and ongoing assurance services as regulatory expectations surrounding artificial intelligence continue to evolve.

The achievement builds on the combined capabilities of Eversheds Sutherland and Konexo across AI governance, legal and regulatory advisory, digital risk, cyber resilience, data protection and assurance. Bringing these disciplines together within a single multidisciplinary proposition enables organisations to demonstrate that their AI systems are governed responsibly, operated transparently and supported by effective risk management and oversight.

As AI adoption accelerates across financial services and other sectors, organisations are increasingly challenged to balance innovation with trust, accountability and regulatory compliance. While many businesses are investing in AI-enabled technologies, governance structures and assurance mechanisms often struggle to keep pace.

DIFC Regulation 10 helps address this challenge through a framework for the certification of qualifying autonomous and semi-autonomous systems used in certain high-risk processing activities. As an Approved Certification Body, Eversheds Sutherland, supported by the multidisciplinary capabilities of Konexo, can assist organisations throughout the AI assurance lifecycle, from readiness assessments and governance enhancement through independent certification and ongoing assurance.

The offering brings together expertise spanning legal, regulatory, privacy, cyber security, AI governance, risk management and assurance disciplines, enabling organisations to access integrated support through a single team.

Nasser Ali Khasawneh, Middle East Chair of Eversheds Sutherland and Global Co-Lead of the firm's AI practice, said:

"Across the Middle East, organisations are moving quickly from AI experimentation to AI at scale. As adoption accelerates, governments, regulators, boards and customers are increasingly focused on how these technologies are governed, monitored and assured.

The direction of travel is clear: organisations will be expected not only to adopt AI responsibly, but also to demonstrate that they are doing so. DIFC Regulation 10 is an important development in helping create trusted AI ecosystems, and this milestone enhances our ability to support clients as they build the governance, assurance and accountability capabilities needed for the next phase of AI adoption."

Richard Chudzynski, Head of Konexo Middle East and Partner at Eversheds Sutherland, said:

"Artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded within critical business processes and customer-facing services. Organisations need practical support to navigate evolving regulatory expectations while continuing to innovate with confidence. Our Approved Certification Body status allows us to bring together the legal, regulatory, governance and assurance expertise of Eversheds Sutherland and Konexo to support clients from readiness through to certification and ongoing assurance."

Aben Pagar, Head of Digital Risk Consulting at Konexo - Eversheds Sutherland, said:

"The conversation around AI has moved beyond experimentation. Boards, regulators and senior executives increasingly want evidence that AI systems are governed effectively, risks are understood and appropriate controls operate in practice. Clients need more than a certification exercise. They need support to assess readiness, strengthen governance and create the evidence required to demonstrate trust, transparency and accountability."

The AI Governance and Assurance offering is available across the UAE, wider Middle East and international markets. Services include AI governance assessments, readiness reviews, policy and framework development, risk management, regulatory assurance, certification preparation, training and independent assurance services.

As organisations adopt AI at scale, the ability to demonstrate responsible and trustworthy use of AI will become increasingly important. Eversheds Sutherland's Approved Certification Body status under DIFC Regulation 10 reinforces the firm's commitment to helping organisations innovate responsibly and build confidence in their AI systems. Delivered through Konexo's multidisciplinary governance, risk and assurance capabilities, the offering supports organisations in meeting evolving regulatory expectations while accelerating trusted AI adoption.

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