More and more decisions that are made by human beings are delegated to software algorithms now. This increases the complexity as well as the velocity of social life. Artificial intelligence holds new challenges for citizens, governments and companies all over the world, influencing not only algorithms but also data aggregation and network infrastructure.
It is out of question that artificial intelligence will be further developed. What we must do is to shape it according to criteria, beneficial to us humans. The majority of people agrees that the development of AI algorithms shall obey legal prescripts and that it shall conform to our set of values. But what does that mean in detail? How does, for example, ‘our set of values‘ look like?
In order to respond to the challenges posed by the use of artificial intelligence, we have adopted the Digital ethics guidelines on artificial intelligence, which reflect the HT Group's understanding of artificial intelligence and its use and provide a framework for our areas of application and use of artificial intelligence technology. Each and every guideline has to be seen as a statement and a promise: for taking on responsibility, for transparency, for data privacy, security, for self-determination in terms of data, for consumer protection. In short: they vouch for the values we know and that we expect as a user when interacting with AI products and services, but that we cannot always be sure of being considered.
Within HT Group, we nourish the concrete realization of our Digital ethics guidelines on AI in addition to our guidelines, we have started an internal communication campaign and set up eLearnings for our employees and business partners.
We believe in the huge potential that lays in artificial intelligence. And we are convinced that this potential can solely be activated and achieved if the use of AI only caters to the human beings’ needs while being accepted by society. The development and use of AI must obey ethical values and legal rules, always ensuring the humans’ sovereignty.
Our aim is to enable people to self-reliantly use new technologies. Software coders and technicians shall responsibly develop and improve these technologies and we must provide them with an ethical beacon as a point of orientation. Furthermore, boundaries within which self-learning systems can operate must be defined and initially implemented by developers.
It is about clarity, transparency, security and trust, in summary, it is about the basis for our customers. We represent the key messages of our AI guidelines;
| We are responsible. |
Humans need to be ultimately responsible for AI features. |
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We care.
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AI systems are subject to IT standards, laws, our company values and ethical standards. |
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We put our customers first.
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AI is not an end in itself. We cater to customer's needs, in a mediated as well as direct way. |
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We are transparent.
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AI systems must be identifiable as such when interacting with human beings and the use of customer data must be clearly defined. |
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We are secure.
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High safety standards shall be met. |
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We set the grounds.
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Analysis of risk and chances and a good preparation comes first. |
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We keep control.
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Monitoring of the AI systems behaviour and ability to shut it down when needed. |
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We foster the cooperative model.
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Technology as a mean of supporting humans. |
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We share end enlighten.
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Knowledge about AI and technology should be spread. |
We invite you to take a moment and complete our eLearning education about digital ethics because this is an opportunity to learn more about digital ethics and get acquainted with our digital ethics guidelines on AI as well as the way in which the HT Group wants to contribute to digital responsibility and participate in the further development of AI.