Responsible AI
Responsible AI refers to the design, deployment and use of artificial intelligence systems that are human-centred and human-controlled, trustworthy, inclusive, non-discriminatory and environmentally responsible.
Why it became a subject
Generative AI changed how these systems enter organisations. Enterprise software went through procurement, therefore through a decision. An AI service is reachable from a browser, without installation or budget: adoption precedes the decision.
The question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but under what conditions, and who decides.
The four principles of the AI Charter
The Institute for Sustainable IT has formalised the approach in an AI Charter, complementing the Responsible Digital Charter and aligned with the European AI Act.
AI at the service of humanity
- develop AI that strengthens the central role of employees while extending their capabilities ;
- build uses with the teams, through dialogue and feedback ;
- train staff in appropriate use and its consequences ;
- respect autonomy at work, the quality of social interaction and the meaning of work ;
- include respect for international treaties on human rights and the rule of law in procurement specifications.
Inclusive and ethical AI
- respect equity, diversity and non-discrimination ;
- put in place mechanisms ensuring data quality and preventing gender, ethnic or religious bias ;
- organise the response to discrimination arising from biased data ;
- make AI-based services accessible to people with disabilities.
Trustworthy AI
- inform users that they are interacting with an AI system, and disclose data sources ;
- explain how the algorithms work in clear and accessible terms ;
- ensure human oversight of high-risk activities ;
- strengthen robustness against cyberattack.
Eco-responsible AI
- verify that the use case is genuinely useful before deployment ;
- favour frugal models with efficient resource use ;
- measure and minimise environmental footprint across the system life cycle ;
- apply eco-responsible practices to training and deployment alike.
Beyond compliance
The AI Act sets a floor. Two of the charter's commitments go beyond it: preserving autonomy at work, which no regulation requires, and the environmental footprint, which the AI Act addresses only marginally.
