Ethics Committees

Proposing models for constituting enterprise ethics committees to maintain internal oversight of the development and deployment of AI solutions

Model Strengths Limitations Recommended Context
None No cost Nobody has organisation-wide picture of responsible AI practices Organisations aiming tactical AI adoption
Advisory Does not disturb power structures or processes Can become a ‘talking shop’ - finding problems rather than solutions as the onus to act remains with company executives Organisations with low AI maturity
Governance Assured enforcement, least risk Can become a barrier to adoption, absence of safe harbour could deter executives from assuming role in Ethics Committees Organisations with lowrisk AI propositions
Multi-Instance, one for each solution Functional excellence and focus Complexity, high cost Large organizations with federated operating models and accountability structures
Mediation Problem solving, continuously builds expertise New organisational construct - organisational change management (OCM) and development of new skills may ben needed Strategic AI adoption

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MODELLING ETHICS COMMITTEES

  • Demonstrate multidisciplinary expertise in technology and ethics, diversity and inclusion, and enterprise risk management
  • Be extended organisational protections for members to raise objections and concerns openly
  • Have at least one external member who is not subject to organisational pressures or goals
  • Be obliged to maintain operational transparency, while allowing members to keep certain findings sufficiently confidential to protect them