How to put AI to use for a sustainable and ethical future

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence across organizations presents both opportunities for societal advancement and potential risks that require careful consideration and management.

Current state of AI adoption: AI technology offers promising capabilities to create value for society while supporting inclusivity and accessibility needs, but organizations must carefully balance benefits against potential drawbacks.

• Many organizations are rapidly implementing AI solutions without fully considering all implications
• AI has demonstrated particular value in supporting accessibility requirements and promoting equitable outcomes
• The technology’s deployment requires thoughtful consideration of both positive and negative impacts

Key challenges and concerns: The implementation of AI systems has raised significant ethical and environmental concerns that demand immediate attention.

• AI systems can unintentionally reinforce harmful biases, as evidenced by concerns around predictive policing
• The “black-box problem” makes it difficult to understand how AI reaches its conclusions, leading to transparency issues
• Digital technology, including AI, contributes 3-4% of greenhouse gas emissions, exceeding aviation’s impact
• AI applications consume four times more energy than standard cloud applications
• Data centers supporting AI operations are projected to double their energy consumption within two years

Best practices for responsible AI: Organizations can implement specific measures to ensure ethical and sustainable AI deployment.

• Prioritize explainable AI solutions that provide transparency in decision-making processes
• Utilize renewable energy sources for data centers
• Optimize data usage to reduce energy consumption
• Design AI solutions that create broader societal benefits beyond financial gains
• Implement clear governance structures to oversee AI development and deployment

Organizational implementation strategies: Successful AI integration requires a comprehensive approach to governance and education.

• Establish dedicated governance boards empowered to review AI applications and prioritize ethical considerations
• Provide employee education on AI ethics and sustainability
• Develop clear mission statements outlining AI usage guidelines and value creation
• Incorporate consequence scanning to identify and mitigate unintended impacts
• Focus on maximizing positive effects while minimizing negative consequences

Future considerations: The long-term success of AI technology depends on proactive measures taken during its developmental stages.

• Organizations must prioritize responsible design and implementation while the technology is still evolving
• Some AI applications may be deemed too harmful to proceed with development
• Compliance with laws and regulations should be viewed as a minimum standard, not an end goal
• Regular assessment of societal and environmental impact should be integrated into AI strategy

Looking ahead: As AI technology continues to mature, organizations that prioritize ethical and sustainable practices while maintaining transparency about both benefits and risks will be better positioned to create lasting value for society and maintain public trust.