Administering artificial intelligence (AI) ethically in organizations takes more than technical support; it requires leadership. Leaders can help ensure AI’s relevance, promote an organizational culture that uses AI ethically, and support employees as they learn about AI. A recent Harvard Business Review article (Wade & Yokoi, 2024) established four essential moves leaders can make to streamline the responsible use of AI in organizations.
GUIDELINES FOR USING AI
Create clear guidelines: Employees have been seeking guidance on how to use AI ethically. In fact, the authors found that 79% of tech workers have said that they would like help in this area. Guidelines could describe the potential risks of AI and employee obligations when using AI.
Incorporate existing ethical systems: For example, say the authors, if a company has a strong data protection system in place, they can leverage this framework to similarly build AI systems that have clear standards and put privacy first. If organizations have successfully streamlined communication, adopted internal auditing processes, or designed ethical certifications, they may also use these systems to support their AI program.
Assess AI’s purpose: Diligently ensure that AI is being used in a manner that aligns with its initially intended purpose. The authors say that it is often necessary to recalibrate AI solutions to ensure they are aligned with real-world needs.
Continuously educate employees: The authors say it is essential to provide an open environment of educating employees about AI. Meeting once a month for a workshop on the ethical use of AI could soften the concerns of employees.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR ORGANIZATIONS
This article makes the case that AI use requires planning and constant monitoring to ensure it meets ethical standards. Organizational leaders will be tasked with hammering out the details of implementation, and they must strive to ensure that their framework is adopted, adhered to, and entrenched in the organizational culture.
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