From Ethical AI Principles to Governed AI

This study explores how organizations translate principles of ethical artificial intelligence (AI) into practice. To date, the research on AI ethics has been mostly conceptual, with a significant emphasis on defining the principles of ethical AI. Thus, there is momentum for a shift from principle-based ethics toward an increased focus on the implementation of ethical principles in practice. In this study, we analyzed data collected through a set of expert interviews in organizations deploying AI systems. We identified that ethical AI principles are implemented through four sets of practices: i) governance, ii) AI design and development, iii) competence and knowledge development, and iv) stakeholder communication. As our contribution to IS research, we empirically elucidate how the principles of ethical AI are translated into organizational practices. For IS practice, we provide organizations deploying AI with novel insights on how to govern their AI systems