Beyond Algorithms: A Framework for Ethical Assessment of AI Applications in Industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries and societies worldwide. While AI offers remarkable benefits, its development and deployment raise profound ethical concerns. Issues such as algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, privacy violations, and potential job displacement necessitate a comprehensive and proactive approach to ethical AI development. This paper presents a novel framework for the ethical assessment of AI applications. This framework moves beyond technical compliance towards an approach that is ethically driven. The cornerstone of the development of this framework are the ethical pillars of trustworthy AI established by the European Union (EU). These encompass Human agency and oversight, Technical Robustness and Safety, Privacy and Data Governance, Transparency, Diversity, Non-discrimination, and Fairness, Societal and Environmental well-being, and Accountability. Since this framework is developed to support industries, the assessment is further classified by a thematic structure to follow a human-centric approach and to ensure meeting organizational needs. These themes include Ethical Governance and Accountability, Operational Procedures and Security, Human-AI interaction, Data Management and Governance, and finally Stakeholder Engagement and Environmental Impact. To ensure adaptability and relevance, it considers the dynamic nature of AI development and the complex interplay of stakeholders within industrial settings. The proposed framework provides a structure for evaluating the ethical implications of AI application. It aids organizations in aligning AI systems integration with the organization’s core values, building trust, and ultimately enhancing the overall benefits of AI adoption in the industrial sphere.