Navigating Ethical AI: Choosing the right compass
It becomes harder by the day to deny that AI is very rapidly transforming the way all businesses operate.
While AI brings immense potential, it also comes with serious ethical responsibilities.
Increasingly companies need to ensure their AI systems are developed and used in a responsible and ethical manner.
But with the ever-expanding landscape of AI ethics, how do you choose the right framework that aligns with your company's unique needs?
In June the Centre For Security and Emerging Technologies published its Matrix for selecting Responsible AI Frameworks
The report critiques and assesses the frameworks of 40 leading AI companies and includes important matrices of which does and doesn’t covers what.
Having read and digested it I can say it’s unlikely to be flying off airport shelves, but in side its density it does lay out some compelling insights and very useful directions of travel for companies incorporating AI. Below I offer a brief but far from exhaustive outline.
Utility Dimension: A NEw COMPASS
This can act as a guiding compass for organisations seeking to navigate the complex terrain of responsible AI.
This dimension categorises ethical AI frameworks into three key areas: Components, Lifecycle, and Characteristics, each tailored to address different aspects of AI implementation and ethics.
1. Components: Building Ethical Foundations
If your company's focus is on the nuts and bolts of AI development, then the "Components" category is your go-to resource. These frameworks dissect AI systems into their smaller building blocks, paying close attention to the technical aspects:
Example: Datasheets for Datasets – This framework emphasises the importance of documenting critical details about the datasets used in machine learning models. By ensuring transparency and accountability in data usage, your Development and Production teams can build AI models with ethical data practices at their core.
2. Lifecycle: Managing the AI Journey Holistically
For organizations that want to manage AI projects from start to finish, "Lifecycle" frameworks provide the roadmap you need. These frameworks guide you through the entire AI system journey – from inception to deployment and beyond:
Example: Reviewable Automated Decision-Making: A Framework for Accountable Algorithmic Systems – This framework breaks down the AI system's lifecycle into stages, such as commissioning, model building, decision-making, and investigation. It offers valuable guidance at each stage, ensuring a holistic approach to responsible AI.
3. Characteristics: Ethical Principles in Action
Ethical characteristics like fairness, transparency, and privacy are at the forefront of responsible AI. If your company values align with these principles, then "Characteristics" frameworks are your allies:
Example: Google's Responsible AI Practices – This framework places emphasis on principles like fairness, interpretability, privacy, and security. It provides actionable guidance on how to implement these characteristics in your AI systems, aligning them with societal and ethical norms.
Choosing the Right Framework for Your Needs
The Utility Dimension recognises that different teams within your organisation may have varying responsibilities when it comes to responsible AI.
By categorising frameworks into Components, Lifecycle, and Characteristics, it ensures that you can select the ones that best align with your unique objectives and team roles.
For instance, your Development and Production team, deeply involved in the technical aspects, may find "Components" frameworks most relevant. Meanwhile, your Governance team, responsible for oversight and compliance, might lean towards "Lifecycle" and "Characteristics" frameworks to ensure responsible AI practices across the organisation.
In a world where ethical AI is no longer a buzzword but a necessity, the "Utility Dimension" offers a strategic approach to responsible AI. It helps your company choose the right tool for the job, align responsible AI practices with your goals, and make a positive impact on society while embracing the power of AI.
So, as you embark on your ethical AI journey, remember: Your path to responsible AI starts with choosing the right framework that suits your company's needs and values. Allow the Utility Dimension be your compass – use it wisely and navigate the exciting world of ethical AI with confidence!