As AI becomes increasingly integrated into the modern workplace, large companies are documenting their approach to this technology by developing AI principles. These principles aim to guide the use of AI within the company and create a shared understanding among employees of how the organization believes AI should be utilized.
Developing Your AI Principles
Draw Inspiration from Others
You don’t need to start from scratch. The OECD is a good starting point when considering your company’s stance on AI. Additionally, technology giants like Google and Microsoft have publicly shared their AI principles. If you’re looking for foundational ideas to include in your own principles, these sources can serve as excellent references. While these companies may differ significantly from yours, their commitment to ethical, human-centered AI should be a shared goal for all organizations.
Assemble a Diverse Team Across Departments
Creating AI principles shouldn’t be left to a single person. Different departments will use AI tools in vastly different ways, and gathering input from all perspectives ensures the principles remain relevant to the entire organization.
For instance, marketing teams may already use generative AI tools to draft social media posts or blog articles, while the finance department might leverage AI-powered tools to detect anomalies in financial accounts. AI is a far-reaching technology, not a single tool, and a diverse group of employees can provide invaluable insights into its daily use across the organization.
Reflect Your Current Values
For AI principles to resonate, they must be meaningful to employees and rooted in the organization’s culture. Instead of creating something entirely new, revisit the company’s existing principles, which might be found in core values, business guidelines, branding directives, or mission and vision statements.
For example, if collaboration is a core value, emphasize its importance in the context of AI. This could involve reviewing and validating decisions made by AI tools collaboratively before implementation.
Why AI Principles Matter
Unlike a formal AI policy, AI principles should not be a strict set of rules. Instead, they should serve as a collection of statements and aspirations outlining your company’s philosophy on AI. They should guide employees intuitively rather than dictate actions, offering a clear sense of how the organization views different AI tools and their applications.
For example, your principles might state that human oversight is always required when AI tools are used for decision-making but might not detail the specific processes for such oversight. Those details can be addressed in an AI policy or another internal guidance document.
Since it’s impossible to establish rules for every potential AI application, your principles should enable employees to evaluate AI use cases independently and determine whether they align with your organization’s values.
Benefits of Establishing AI Principles
Foster Independent, Confident AI Users
Research shows that employees generally have a positive outlook on AI’s impact on their jobs. However, reports, like one from the OECD, reveal some concern among workers about the long-term implications of AI on job security.
By establishing a balanced and constructive approach through your AI principles, you can alleviate these concerns and empower employees to confidently experiment with and learn from AI tools. Properly designed and implemented principles can create an environment where AI’s positive effects can flourish.
Maximize AI Benefits While Minimizing Risks
Generative AI tools and advanced AI-powered software can enhance creativity, productivity, and efficiency. Employees using these tools often find them invaluable for simplifying repetitive tasks, analyzing large sets of complex data, or overcoming creative blocks.
However, the benefits of AI can only be realized if it is used correctly. By ensuring employees understand and embrace your AI principles, your organization can harness these advantages while avoiding potentially harmful applications that might hinder progress.
Prepare Your Organization for Future AI Developments
AI principles should reflect your company’s general approach to AI tools rather than provide a rigid list of rules. This ensures their relevance even as AI technology evolves. While updates might occasionally be necessary, foundational concepts like transparency, oversight, and ethical behavior will remain pertinent.
Designing Your AI Principles
All companies can benefit from creating their own AI principles. To help you get started, consider using a model of AI principles based on existing frameworks. Starting with a template can simplify the process and provide a foundation for tailoring the principles to your organization’s unique needs.
Feel free to adapt and expand upon suggested points to create a set of AI principles that your entire organization can support as it explores and integrates AI tools.
