Of interest to those involved in governance.
Introduction
Artificial intelligence (AI) and its capabilities are developing rapidly and it is already a common feature of our day-to-day lives. According to a report from the UK’s Office for Artificial Intelligence (part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) in January 2022, 68% of larger companies in the UK had adopted AI, 34% of medium companies and 15% of small companies. These figures are likely far higher now, and indeed, a report published in March 2023 found that 46% of office-based employees surveyed are already using ChatGPT, a generative AI system, and upwards of 80% see it as a ‘legitimate’ and ‘beneficial’ tool. AI represents both huge potential and huge risks, and accordingly generates significant media, political and industry attention. This guidance seeks to set out the ways in which those working in governance can support their organisations with the development of policies to govern the use of AI.
Each organisation and its board will have its own approach to AI, and even within one organisation, there will be different risk appetites and degrees of willingness to adopt AI tools. There are those who see AI as an existential threat to humanity, whilst others see it as a radical tool with as much significance for human development as the printing press. As such, this guidance will not set out a boilerplate or specimen policy for governing AI within organisations (although there are examples listed in the ‘organisational policies’ section). Instead, it will raise issues for consideration by governance professionals and their boards. It covers some of the applications of AI, significant regulation and legislation, the risks associated with AI, ethical considerations and gives examples of publicly available organisational policies. It aims to give those working in governance the tools to consider AI in their own context.
This document includes:
- Understanding and governing AI
- The applications of AI
- AI legislation and regulation
- Risks of AI use
- Ethical considerations
- Embedding AI governance in your organisation
- Examples of organisational AI policies
- Where next?
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