Amsterdam, October 15, 2024 – Software Improvement Group (SIG) is proud to announce the release of “AI readiness guide for organizations” with lead author, AI pioneer and expert, Rob van der Veer.

The guide is designed to strategically and practically prepare organizations for AI integration and governance.

Recent studies highlight the urgency of AI readiness on an organizational level: According to Gartner, 60% of CIOs see AI as central to innovation, yet less than half are prepared to manage its risks. Additionally, 75% of Chief Risk Officers surveyed by the World Economic Forum identify AI as a reputational risk. SIG’s most recent 2023 Benchmark Report revealed serious quality issues in nearly 75% of analyzed AI systems.

To help organizations implement AI more responsibly, SIG decided to create this guide drawing from Rob van der Veer’s three decades of AI experience, SIG’s client collaborations, and SIG’s contributions to global AI standards such as ISO/IEC 5338 and the upcoming official EU AI Act Security Standard.

As a result, the AI readiness guide offers pragmatic guidance for board members, executives, and IT leaders which will be updated regularly as AI develops further.

"We want to equip organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the complexities of AI more responsibly and effectively. Every organization adopts AI in some way or form, but from a leadership perspective; what does this mean for your organization? Are you prepared for it? What do you need to know, and where should you start?" – Rob van der Veer, Lead Author and Senior Principal Expert at Software Improvement Group.

The guide outlines 19 actionable steps tailored to board members, Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) officers, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs). It helps organizations to integrate AI responsibly into existing processes, establish AI accountability, treat AI as software, and prepare for AI-related cybersecurity attacks.

“It’s clear that AI offers incredible opportunities, but we can’t ignore the risks that come with it. Without the right governance and security measures, those risks can quickly overshadow the benefits. That’s why it’s so important for organizations to adopt responsible practices and solid frameworks to make the most of AI safely.”– Luc Brandts, CEO of Software Improvement Group.

Click here to access the guide.

About Rob van der Veer


Rob van der Veer has more than 32 years of experience in AI, as a researcher, data scientist, programmer, hacker, and CEO. Rob established the security & privacy practice and the AI practice at Software Improvement Group (SIG). He is also the co-founder of OpenCRE a platform that harmonizes security standards and guidelines into a single online resource. Rob is the main author of the ISO/IEC 5338 standard on AI engineering, the co-editor of the AI Act security standard, and he open-sourced the global discussion on AI security by founding the OWASP AI Exchange and the liaison partnership with international standards. He frequently speaks and writes on AI topics –such as at the World Summit AI. Earlier this month, Rob released his first children’s book on AI: “Luna and the Magic AI Paintbrush”.

About Software Improvement Group


Software Improvement Group (SIG) leads in traditional and AI software quality assurance. Empowering organizations to become more resilient and agile by guiding them to enhance their software quality and security through deep source code analysis and tailored, strategic advice.

Sigrid® - its software assurance platform - leverages the world’s largest database containing over 270 billion lines of code across more than 20,000 systems and 300+ technologies, and intelligently recommends the most crucial initiatives for organizations. SIG complies with multiple ISO/IEC standards, including ISO/IEC 27001 and 17025, and has co-developed ISO/IEC 5338, the new global standard for AI lifecycle management.

SIG was founded in 2000 and has offices in New York, Copenhagen, Brussels, and Frankfurt, and is headquartered in Amsterdam.

Sigrid®, together with expert software engineering consultants, and nearly 25 years of industry-leading research, position SIG as the foremost authority on software excellence.

For more information, please visit Software Improvement Group's website or social media channels.
10.06.2024
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SIG M&A Software Analysis Reveals Concerning Trends In Software Quality

NEW YORK, NY, USA, June 10, 2024

Software Improvement Group (SIG), the leading independent institute specializing in software health analysis, has significant concerns about the quality of software involved in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Out of 531 M&A-related software projects analyzed, SIG found that the average software quality scores were significantly below the market average. This implies that companies face two times lower development efficiency and a considerably higher risk of defects and vulnerabilities.

Key findings

  • Quality Scores Below Market Average: The study revealed that software involved in these transactions often lags behind industry standards, presenting substantial risks for acquirers.
  • High Technical Debt: On average, technical debt constitutes 31% of the total code volume, indicating severe underlying issues in software maintainability and scalability.
  • Informed Investment Decisions: Companies that utilized SIG’s software economics methodology were able to make strategic investments to mitigate these technical debt challenges effectively.

SIG possesses unparalleled expertise and resources to assess the build quality, scalability, and security of software assets. With the world’s largest software metrics database, encompassing an impressive 200 billion lines of code and 18,000 system inspections spanning over 300 technologies, SIG provides comprehensive evaluations that stand as a testament to our unwavering dedication to creating a healthier digital world.

Luc Brands, CEO of Software Improvement Group: “At SIG, we believe private equity firms are not as in control as they could and should be. Through software economics, we ensure thorough code analysis, benchmarking, architecture investigation, and cost modeling. This approach guarantees clarity regarding the true scalability of acquired assets.”

To further facilitate this conversation, Software Improvement Group and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) will be hosting a webinar titled “Software Economics for Private Equity: How to Evaluate the Quality and Value of Software Assets” on June 27th. The webinar will provide private equity companies with insights into the importance of software asset valuation. Private equity firms are invited to join the webinar to gain valuable knowledge and insights from industry experts.

In conclusion, software assets represent a significant opportunity for private equity firms to drive value creation. By embracing advanced software economics and leveraging SIG’s expertise, private equity firms can make informed decisions that maximize returns and mitigate risks in their software investments.

For more information about SIG and to register for the upcoming webinar, please visit Software Improvement Group’s webinar page.

For the full report, visit the benchmark report.

About SIG
Software Improvement Group (SIG) leads in traditional and AI software quality assurance, empowering businesses and governments worldwide to drive success with reliable and robust IT systems. Sigrid® – its software excellence platform – analyzes the world’s largest benchmark database of over 200 billion lines of code across more than 18,000 systems in 300+ technologies, and intelligently recommends the most crucial initiatives for organizations. SIG complies with multiple ISO/IEC standards, including ISO/IEC 27001 and 17025, and has co-developed ISO/IEC 5338, the new global standard for AI lifecycle management.
SIG was founded in 2000 and has offices in New York, Copenhagen, Brussels, and Frankfurt, and is headquartered in Amsterdam.

Sigrid®, together with expert consultants, and nearly 25 years of industry-leading research, position Software Improvement Group as the foremost authority on software excellence.

For more information, please visit Software Improvement Group’s website or social media channels.

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Practical steps for executives and IT leaders to successfully implement AI in business