--- title: Ethical AI Concerns description: Ai is everywhere and impacts everyone, so how do you make sure it's created ethically to minimise risk? What are the biggest concerns around ethics in AI and what can IT professionals do to mitigate them? image: https://campaign.bcs.org/hubfs/BCS-The-Ethical-Build-of-AI-ads-Oct24-v12.png --- [![BCS](https://campaign.bcs.org/hubfs/bcs-logo.svg)](https://www.bcs.org/) - [Membership](https://www.bcs.org/membership/become-a-member/) - [Become a member](https://www.bcs.org/membership/become-a-member/) - [Get registered](https://www.bcs.org/membership/get-registered/) - [Membership for organisations](https://www.bcs.org/membership/membership-for-organisations/) - [Membership for universities](https://www.bcs.org/membership/membership-for-universities/) - [Member communities](https://www.bcs.org/membership/member-communities/) - [SFIAplus - IT skills framework](https://www.bcs.org/membership/sfiaplus-it-skills-framework/) - [Get qualified](https://www.bcs.org/get-qualified/) - [Become chartered](https://www.bcs.org/get-qualified/become-chartered/) - [Certifications for professionals](https://www.bcs.org/get-qualified/certifications-for-professionals/) - [Apprenticeships](https://www.bcs.org/get-qualified/apprenticeships/) - [Digital literacy qualifications](https://www.bcs.org/get-qualified/digital-literacy-qualifications/) - [International HEQ](https://www.bcs.org/get-qualified/international-higher-education-qualifications-heq/) - [Certification and scholarships for teachers](https://www.bcs.org/get-qualified/certification-and-scholarships-for-teachers/) - [Events](https://www.bcs.org/events-home/) - [Events calendar](https://www.bcs.org/events/) - [BCS IT Leaders conference](https://www.bcs.org/events-home/bcs-it-leaders-conference/) - [BCS Insights](https://www.bcs.org/events-home/bcs-insights/) - [UK IT Industry Awards](https://www.bcs.org/more/awards-and-competitions/uk-it-industry-awards/) - [Lovelace Lecture](https://www.bcs.org/events-home/lovelace-lecture/) - [Turing Talk](https://www.bcs.org/events-home/turing-talk/) - [Karen Spärck Jones Lecture](https://www.bcs.org/events-home/karen-spaerck-jones-lecture/) - [Roger Needham Lecture](https://www.bcs.org/events-home/roger-needham-lecture/) - [Policy & influence](https://www.bcs.org/policy-and-influence/) - [Artificial intelligence](https://www.bcs.org/policy-and-influence/artificial-intelligence-ai/) - [Health and care](https://www.bcs.org/policy-and-influence/health-and-care/) - [Education](https://www.bcs.org/policy-and-influence/education/) - [Tech and society](https://www.bcs.org/policy-and-influence/tech-and-society/) - [Diversity and inclusion](https://www.bcs.org/policy-and-influence/diversity-and-inclusion/) - [Develop your people](https://www.bcs.org/develop-your-people/develop-your-team-or-organisation/) - [Develop your team or organisation](https://www.bcs.org/develop-your-people/develop-your-team-or-organisation/) - [Digital IT apprenticeships for your team](https://www.bcs.org/develop-your-people/develop-your-team-or-organisation/digital-it-apprenticeships-for-your-team/) - [Professional certifications for your team](https://www.bcs.org/develop-your-people/develop-your-team-or-organisation/professional-certifications-for-your-team/) - [Government Plan for Jobs](https://www.bcs.org/develop-your-people/develop-your-team-or-organisation/government-plan-for-jobs/) - [Deliver & teach qualifications](https://www.bcs.org/deliver-and-teach-qualifications/) - [Training providers and adult education centres](https://www.bcs.org/deliver-and-teach-qualifications/training-providers-and-adult-education-centres/) - [Teachers, schools and colleges](https://www.bcs.org/deliver-and-teach-qualifications/teachers-schools-and-colleges/) - [University accreditation](https://www.bcs.org/deliver-and-teach-qualifications/university-accreditation/) - [More](https://www.bcs.org/more/) - [About us](https://www.bcs.org/more/about-us/) - [Contact us](https://www.bcs.org/contact-us/) - [Content hub](https://www.bcs.org/content-hub/) - [BCS Academy of Computing](https://www.bcs.org/more/bcs-academy-of-computing/) - [Awards and competitions](https://www.bcs.org/more/awards-and-competitions/) - [Learned publishing](https://www.bcs.org/more/learned-publishing/) - [BCS Bookshop](https://www.bcs.org/more/bcs-bookshop/) ![Search icon](https://campaign.bcs.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/BCS_March2020/images/mag.png) [![Log in icon](https://campaign.bcs.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/BCS_March2020/images/login.png)](https://mybcs.bcs.org/) Search BCS Search Close ![3 Ethical Concerns AI Header 1600 x 500](https://campaign.bcs.org/hubfs/3%20Ethical%20Concerns%20AI%20Header%201600%20x%20500.png "3 Ethical Concerns AI Header 1600 x 500") Building AI with integrity: essential ethical considerations In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, the responsibility of IT professionals, and not just software developers, extends beyond just coding and deployment. They face the challenge of integrating ethical considerations into projects from the outset to avoid significant consequences. The ethical implications of AI are profound and complex, demanding thoughtful consideration from the ground up. Neglecting these can lead to serious repercussions, not only harming users but also jeopardising your organisation’s reputation. Let's explore the top 3 key ethical concerns in AI development and recommend actionable steps to ensure integrity in all your projects. ![1-Oct-24-2024-03-37-16-1149-PM](https://campaign.bcs.org/hubfs/1-Oct-24-2024-03-37-16-1149-PM.png "1-Oct-24-2024-03-37-16-1149-PM") ![2-Oct-24-2024-03-39-25-6228-PM](https://campaign.bcs.org/hubfs/2-Oct-24-2024-03-39-25-6228-PM.png "2-Oct-24-2024-03-39-25-6228-PM") ![2 (1)](https://campaign.bcs.org/hubfs/2%20(1).png "2 (1)") 1   Bias and discrimination One of the most pressing ethical issues in AI is bias. AI systems can unintentionally perpetuate or even exacerbate bias present in the data they are trained on. This can lead to unfair treatment of certain groups. For instance, a recruitment algorithm might favour candidates from certain demographics if the training data reflects historical hiring biases. This can lead to discriminatory practices that perpetuate existing societal inequalities that not only harm individuals but also damage a company's reputation. How to avoid this Ensuring fairness requires diverse datasets and ongoing evaluation with regular audits to assess algorithmic outcomes. Begin by auditing your training data for representation and involve diverse teams during the development phase to gather a variety of perspectives and experiences. Implementing bias detection tools during development can help identify and rectify issues before deployment, so consider using fairness metrics to evaluate the model’s outcomes across different groups. You could also consider involving interdisciplinary teams that include sociologists or ethicists to provide critical insight into potential biases. 2   Privacy concerns Data privacy is a critical concern in AI development, particularly when handling sensitive information especially as AI often requires large amounts of personal data. Mishandling sensitive information can result in privacy breaches, legal issues and loss of trust. For example, if an AI system inadvertently shares personal health information, the fallout can be devastating for individuals and organisations alike. **How to mitigate this** Implement robust security and data protection measures from the outset, such as encryption and anonymisation techniques to safeguard user information. Ensure compliance with regulations such as GDPR and involve legal experts during the planning stages of your projects to navigate complex data privacy laws. Strict data governance policies and transparent data usage guidelines can help safeguard personal information and by encouraging users to opt-in with clear choices regarding their data sharing, can also build trust. Regularly review and update your security protocols to address emerging threats. 3   Accountability and transparency As AI systems become more complex, understanding their decision-making processes can become a challenge especially when the "black box" nature of many of these systems makes transparency and accountability difficult. If an AI model makes a decision that leads to negative consequences, pinpointing accountability can be difficult. For instance, if an autonomous vehicle is involved in an accident, it raises questions about liability - who is responsible? This lack of transparency can erode trust among users and stakeholders. Promoting transparency in AI algorithms is essential. How to increase this Implementing explainable AI (XAI) techniques can help demystify how models arrive at decisions from the start, allow for easier interpretation and provide insights into the decision making process. Create documentation that clearly outlines decisions and the rationale behind them. By implementing a clear framework for accountability within your organisation, covering a range of outcomes, will ensure that responsibility is well-defined and understood. Generative AI content ## How can you get the right skills and knowledge to do all these things properly? One way, is the new qualification from the Chartered Institute for IT - the Foundation Certificate in the Ethical Build of AI. Ideal for anyone involved with designing or developing software that uses AI.  ## Comprising of 5 eLearning modules, take all five and an exam to gain the certificate.  - An ethical framework for using AI - Innovating ethically with AI to drive business change - Data privacy, governance and policy in AI - Data architecture, sustainability and ethics - Building and testing AI solutions ## Alternatively, individual modules can be taken on their own as independent courses.  [Find out more and see previews of all modules - all with 30% off until 6 Dec with code BlackFriday30](https://www.bcs.org/qualifications-and-certifications/online-it-professional-development-courses/bcs-foundation-certificate-in-the-ethical-build-of-ai/) [![Innovating Ethically Module](https://campaign.bcs.org/hubfs/Innovating%20Ethically%20Module.png "Innovating Ethically Module")](https://rise.articulate.com/share/ZHTbpOZBQenIrn7aFZZBKbx3FcAsMmhK#/) [![Ethical Framework Module](https://campaign.bcs.org/hubfs/Ethical%20Framework%20Module.png "Ethical Framework Module")](https://rise.articulate.com/share/XYoEDLMzpH_h6VNhe8-LbQ_p7k9scmzK#/) How was the course developed and who would benefit from it? Discover how it provides the latest knowledge on the principles of ethical design and explains the frameworks to be able to apply them when building AI systems. This award winning course draws on insight and case studies from over two decades of AI application to explore real world risks, that can be applied across all sectors. Hear from someone who's already taken the certification. These modules are not just theory. You will develop a practical understanding and be given interactive tools to provide support when applying ethical decision making in the design of projects. Want to understand how the course content can actually be applied in real life? Hear from someone already using this new knowledge and applying some of the frameworks into his work. [Find the article here](https://www.bcs.org/articles-opinion-and-research/introducing-the-ethical-build-of-ai/) [Watch the testimonial](https://bcs.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=03e7ce50-088b-4869-a39a-b14e00afe539) # Ready to find out more? Fill in your details below and we'll be in contact to discuss your query with you. ![BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT logo](https://campaign.bcs.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/BCS_March2020/images/bcs-logo.svg) - Support - [Contact us](https://www.bcs.org/contact-us/) - [Website feedback](https://forms.bcs.org/feedback) - [Accessibility](https://www.bcs.org/contact-us/accessibility/) - [Whistleblowing policy](https://www.bcs.org/contact-us/whistleblowing-policy/) - About us - [Our royal charter](https://www.bcs.org/more/about-us/our-royal-charter/) - [Careers at BCS](https://www.bcs.org/more/about-us/careers-at-bcs/) - [Press office](https://www.bcs.org/more/about-us/press-office/) - Legal and privacy - [Data privacy notice](https://www.bcs.org/legal-and-privacy-notices/data-privacy-notice/) - [Copyright notice](https://www.bcs.org/legal-and-privacy-notices/copyright-notice/) - [Use of cookies](https://www.bcs.org/legal-and-privacy-notices/use-of-cookies/) © 2020 BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT Registered charity: No. 292786