Responsible AI Governance: Info-Tech Research Group Publishes Strategies to Balance Innovation With Ethical Use

New research insights from Info-Tech Research Group emphasize that AI governance is about establishing practices and structures to align AI investments and management with an organization's strategic interests. In a newly published industry resource, the global firm recommends that IT leaders adopt a comprehensive governance framework tailored to the organization's goals and the specific risks associated with AI to ensure responsible and effective AI use.

TORONTO, April 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - As organizations increasingly recognize the paramount importance of responsible AI governance, IT leaders face the challenge of developing policies that ensure the appropriate use of data and AI models while mitigating organizational risk. Vital to this process is identifying strategic, tactical, and operational decision-making approaches to ensure AI aligns seamlessly with organizational goals and values. Info-Tech Research Group's latest blueprint, Govern the Use of AI Responsibly With a Fit-for-Purpose Structure, provides IT leaders with guidance on risk mitigation and aligning AI use with core values and business objectives. The resource is designed to aid organizations in fostering a culture of responsibility and compliance across all AI endeavors.

"AI governance provides a framework for the responsible deployment and use of AI, ensuring alignment with the organization's objectives and values while also adhering to ethical standards and regulatory requirements," says Irina Sedenko, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "It provides a structured approach to managing, monitoring, and controlling the effective and human-centric use and development of AI systems."

The firm's research highlights the challenges organizations face in integrating AI risks into their overall risk management framework. Despite having policies for AI use, many organizations lack the necessary controls for monitoring and enforcing compliance. Regardless of whether organizations acquire AI-enabled applications, partner with an integrator, or develop models from scratch, they require effective AI governance to ensure the use of the technology is in the organization's best interest and to mitigate potential risks.

"Packaged or integrated AI tools do come with risks, including biases in the AI models, data privacy issues, and the potential for misuse," explains Swapnil Awasthi, workshop quality director at Info-Tech Research Group. "A robust AI governance framework helps mitigate these risks by establishing guidelines and controls that align with the ethical standards and values of the organization. It promotes transparency and fairness."

Info-Tech explains that AI governance constitutes a set of practices and structures aimed at aligning investments, resources, and risks with the organization's best interests to generate tangible business value. For effective AI governance, Info-Tech's blueprint outlines the following methodology for IT leaders:

• Address Responsible AI and AI Risk
  • Set expectations on the goals of AI governance, AI risks, and risk management frameworks.
  • Assess whether proper AI risk controls are in place.
  • Identify AI risk management objectives, metrics, and targets.
  • Determine and define responsible AI principles for the organization.
• Define the AI Governance Structure
  • Identify key elements of the organization's AI governance structure: strategic, tactical, and operational.
  • Define mandate, roles, and responsibilities.
  • Identify integration points between AI governance and other governance structures.
• Define the AI Governance Operating Model
  • Define key AI governance operating model elements.
  • Develop the first draft of the AI governance charter.
  • Recommend AI governance procedure and policy framework.
• Build an AI Governance Implementation Roadmap
  • Identify AI governance implementation initiatives.

"The AI governance framework and its components are the same whether organizations are developing their own AI systems or integrating AI tools and technologies with AI built into the tool," says Andrew Sharp, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Organizations believe that if they adopt a 'buy' approach for AI systems, AI governance is not required because they have no control over the technology embedded in the products and systems they acquire. However, this is not the case. Implement AI governance to ensure the investments made, the risks accepted, and the resources applied to AI projects are aligned to business value."

Info-Tech's blueprint outlines how AI governance defines not only an organization's goals regarding AI but also the crucial decisions required to achieve these goals. Through a well-defined AI governance structure, organizations are equipped to handle risks effectively, ensuring they fulfill their AI mission and vision, aligning technology use with strategic objectives for enhanced decision-making and risk management.

For exclusive and timely commentary on this topic from Info-Tech's experts and access to the complete Govern the Use of AI Responsibly With a Fit-for-Purpose Structure blueprint, please contact [email protected].

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For more than 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. 

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group