- 89% of executives I believe that ethical governance of AI supports technological innovation.
- 77% of managers trust their employees’ ability to make ethical decisions about AI, but only 24% allow independent decision-making.
- Upskilling rather than recruiting:63% of organizations prioritize internal training for AI ethics roles over external recruitment.
In an ever-changing technology landscape, leaders are prioritizing ethical governance of artificial intelligence (AI) to foster innovation while ensuring accountability. A Deloitte study, “Leadership, Governance, and Employee Decision-Making for Ethical AI,” found that 89% of executives surveyed believe their organization’s ethical frameworks and governance structures foster technological innovation.
Governance and employee trust
The study highlights that 77% of senior executives trust their employees to make ethical decisions about AI. However, there is a notable gap when it comes to autonomy: only 24% of them allow their employees to make these decisions independently. This figure increases to 52% in organizations with annual revenues of more than $1 billion, indicating a more decentralized approach in larger companies.
“As organizations continue to explore the opportunities presented by AI, it is encouraging to observe how governance frameworks have emerged in tandem, to enable the workforce to advance ethical outcomes and drive positive impact.” said Kwasi Mitchell, Deloitte’s US engagement and DEI leader.”By adopting procedures designed to promote accountability and preserve trust, leaders can establish a culture of integrity and innovation.“
AI training and ethical structures
Training is at the heart of AI ethics governance. More than three-quarters (76%) of respondents indicated that their organizations provide AI ethics training to their employees, and 63% extend this training to their board of directors. Other governance structures include AI ethics review boards (46%) and AI ethics risk management frameworks (44%).
Beena Ammanath, Executive Director of the Global Deloitte AI Institute, stressed the importance of structured governance: “The widespread development and use of emerging technologies such as AI requires governance systems that encourage the ethical application of these tools. Ethically designed governance structures are important to hold leaders and employees accountable for the responsible use of this technology.“
Balancing innovation and regulation
Balancing innovation and regulation emerged as a key priority, with 62% of executives focusing on this aspect in the development and use of AI. Transparency in data collection (59%) and consideration of user concerns and data privacy (56%) are also key ethical considerations.
Improving your skills to meet the demands of AI
Companies are relying heavily on internal development programs to fill AI-related roles, with 63% favoring this approach over hiring from external sources. Positions such as AI researchers (59%) and policy analysts (53%) are being integrated to strengthen ethical decision-making in AI.
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Impact of AI on Operations
AI is expected to have a positive impact on various operational areas, with 77% of respondents citing supply chain responsibility and 75% citing brand reputation. Additionally, 82% predict AI will improve employee retention, highlighting AI’s potential to improve employee stability and well-being.
As the use of AI continues to grow, ethical governance remains a top priority for leaders as it balances innovation with accountability. Through strategic governance, training, and employee upskilling, organizations are laying the foundation for a future where AI can drive both technological progress and ethical integrity.
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