Info-Tech Research Group publishes report for navigating ethical issues in AI usage

Info-Tech Research Group’s “Prepare for AI Regulation” blueprint highlights six responsible AI guiding principles and corresponding actions for IT leaders to plan and address AI risk and comply with regulation initiatives. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group)

TORONTO — As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms industries and reshapes operational landscapes, organizations are facing significant challenges in navigating the complex and evolving regulatory environment. In response to these pressing challenges, Info-Tech Research Group has published research findings and guidance in a new blueprint, Prepare for AI Regulation. The resource tries to address the urgent need for organizations to stay ahead of impending regulations, providing in-depth analysis and actionable strategies for IT leaders to ensure compliance while maximizing the ethical and effective use of AI.

In the new resource, the firm highlights the growing responsibility of organizations to safeguard users against potential risks associated with AI, including misinformation, unfair bias, malicious uses, and cybersecurity threats. However, many existing risk and governance programs within organizations have not been designed to anticipate the introduction of AI applications and their subsequent impact.

“Generative AI is changing the world we live in. It represents the most disruptive and transformative technology of our lifetime. It will revolutionize how we interact with technology and how we work,” says Bill Wong, research fellow at Info-Tech Research Group. “However, along with the benefits of AI, this technology introduces new risks. Generative AI has demonstrated the ease of creating misinformation and deepfakes, and it can be misused to threaten the integrity of elections.”

Info-Tech recommends that organizations enhance their data and AI governance programs to align with forthcoming voluntary or legislated AI regulations.

“Organizations around the world are seeking guidance, and some are requesting governments to regulate AI to provide safeguards for the use of this technology,” states Wong. “As a result, AI legislation is emerging around the world. A key challenge with any legislation is to find the balance between the need for regulation to protect the public vs. the need to provide an environment that fosters innovation.”

“Some governments and regions, such as the US and UK, take a context- and market-driven approach, often relying on self-regulation and introducing minimal new legislation,” adds Wong. “In contrast, the EU has implemented comprehensive legislation to govern the use of AI technology in order to safeguard the public from potential harm. Looking ahead, effective regulation of AI on a global scale is likely to necessitate international cooperation across governments and regions.”

In Prepare for AI Regulation, Info-Tech details six responsible AI guiding principles and corresponding actions for IT leaders to plan and address AI risk and comply with regulation initiatives.

1. Data Privacy
   Understand which governing privacy laws and frameworks apply to an organization: Conduct thorough assessments to ensure compliance with local and international data privacy regulations.
2. Fairness and Bias Detection
   Identify possible sources of bias in the data and algorithms: Conduct regular audits and assessments of data sets and algorithms to detect and mitigate biases.
3. Explainability and Transparency
   Design in a manner that informs users and key stakeholders of how decisions were made: Develop user-friendly explanations and documentation that clarifies how AI systems arrive at decisions.
4. Safety and Security
   Adopt responsible design, development, and deployment best practices: Follow established best practices to ensure the safe and secure development and deployment of AI systems.
5. Validity and Reliability
   Continuously monitor, evaluate, and validate performance: Regularly assess and validate AI system performance to ensure accuracy and reliability.
6. Accountability
   Implement human oversight and review: Establish processes for regular human oversight and review of AI systems to ensure ethical and responsible use.