Assessed Intelligence builds responsible AI from WI hub

Assessed Intelligence, founded by Dr. Joshua Scarpino, Katie Grillaert, and Graeme Rudd, has quickly grown into a 38-member global team focused on secure and ethical artificial intelligence. With hubs across the country and its largest presence in Wisconsin, the company provides AI governance, cybersecurity, and compliance solutions for high-risk sectors including healthcare, finance, education, and manufacturing.

Assessed Intelligence CSO Katie Grillaert spoke with MKEStartup.News about the company’s mission, its international collaborations, and why Wisconsin businesses should pay attention to evolving AI laws.

MSUN: How do you describe what Assessed Intelligence does?

Katie Grillaert: We are an AI governance and cybersecurity firm. Our team works in high-risk sectors—finance, healthcare, education, insurance, advanced manufacturing, and critical infrastructure—where regulation is stringent and human health and safety are at stake. We advise, we audit for ISO and ForHumanity standards, and we also build solutions that are secure, ethical, and compliant by design.

We also offer long-term leadership and retainer services so clients can stay ahead of fast-changing regulations and technology.

MSUN: What does a typical client look like?

Grillaert: Our clients are highly regulated organizations that already have a mature compliance approach but need outside expertise as they integrate AI. We have lawyers, ethicists, cybersecurity experts, developers, and engineers working together. That interdisciplinary perspective is one of our greatest strengths.

MSUN: What drew you personally to this work?

Grillaert: I wanted to apply my skills in a way that had the biggest impact on the world we’re leaving for our children. AI has enormous potential but also the propensity to concentrate power and create imbalance. I’ve always been passionate about data and ethics, and this field is the perfect intersection.

MSUN: The company is actively working to shape international AI standards. Can you talk about that?

Grillaert: We’re part of the UN’s AI Trust and Safety Reimagination Programme. Our project focuses on financial inclusion, using AI to understand how communities use money, then applying that insight so fraud detection systems don’t unfairly flag people for expected behaviors like seasonal work or sending money overseas. It’s about using AI to lift people up.

Additionally, members of our team contribute to national and international standards, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology and ForHumanity. We believe you can’t have responsible AI without secure AI, and because we combine both cybersecurity and governance expertise, we help shape frameworks that reflect that reality.

MSUN: Wisconsin is home for you. How does that factor into the company’s global reach?

Grillaert: Even though we’re spread out, Wisconsin is the largest hub for Assessed Intelligence. I’m proud of that.

MSUN: What should Wisconsin companies know about AI legislation?

Grillaert: Many Wisconsin businesses don’t realize they may already be exposed to the EU AI Act. The law has extraterritorial reach.  These rules start being enforced over the next one to two years, so companies have time to prepare, but they must be paying attention now.

Many Wisconsin businesses don’t realize they may already be exposed to the EU AI Act. The law has extraterritorial reach. If a Wisconsin company operates in the EU or has a product on the market in the EU, they need to comply with the Act. If their AI outputs are used in the EU, they need to comply. This can be a legally complex question to answer.

If the WI company is placing any AI system on the EU market or putting any AI system into service in the EU, they already need to have an AI Literacy program in place. As the law continues to roll out over the next two years, for systems classified as high-risk, there will be further requirements for performance, risk management, human oversight, monitoring, reporting, and so on.

MSUN: What’s next for Assessed Intelligence?

Grillaert: We’re standing up a research lab, a nonprofit arm that will allow us to expand our technological and governance research, pursue grants, and support projects like our UN initiative.

Responsible AI has to be secure AI. By combining both under one roof, we make sure companies are protected and can focus on building technology that benefits people.

To learn more about Assessed Intelligence, connect with the company here.