All organisations should establish a code of Digital Ethics that sets their commitments to ethical data practices. Digital Ethics by Design should be considered right from the outset of any product development, product enhancement or any proposed processing of data. Periodic training and awareness programmes should be emphasised and rolled out to promote awareness on ethical data processing practices. This will eventually build a culture of trust, transparency and safety within the organisation.

Organisations must make sure AI systems do not take the place of ultimate human accountability and responsibility. There needs to be human oversight and safeguards in place to prevent misuse of data. There should be cross functional stakeholder collaboration and effective governance.

AI systems should only be used as much as is required to accomplish a valid goal. Risk assessment should be utilised to prevent any potential harm from these types of applications.

Organisations must ensure that their decision-making and algorithms are fair and impartial. This can be achieved through ongoing monitoring and periodic testing.

Data should be collected and used with transparency so individuals understand how their data is being utilised thereby allowing them to make informed decisions about whether to share their data or not. Further, where deemed necessary, before collecting data, organisations should seek consent from individuals. This consent should always be freely given and be fully informed.

Unconscious or Conscious bias can affect inclusivity in an organisation. Organisations should take the necessary steps to ensure the processing of data does not result in or hide discrimination or bias. Vulnerable data subjects who are the most susceptible to negative consequences of processing require additional consideration.

Individuals must be able to make their own decisions, take their own actions and make their own choices. Processing of data should not constrain human beings in how they want to live their lives. Autonomy for individuals to control how their data is processed should be ensured. The processing of the data should be respectful of human values. Specifically, when the processing is carried out through AI, the outcome should not dehumanise individuals.

AI innovations should be evaluated to consider their effects on the environment and its ability to sustain through periods of time. These innovations should align to the organisation’s sustainability goals.