SIIA Releases Ethical Principles for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, with Support from FPF and IAF

Washington, DC, November 09, 2017 --(PR.com)-- The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA), the principal association representing the software and digital content industries, released an updated issue brief titled, “Ethical Principles for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics.” This issue brief focuses on a framework of responsible data use that incorporates ethical principles for institutions to assess the data and models they use and to make modifications when they are needed. The brief also discusses the role of policymakers in addressing ethical concerns.

SIIA, the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and the Information Accountability Forum (IAF) issued the following statements on the release of the SIIA issue brief:

SIIA Senior Vice President for Public Policy, Mark MacCarthy

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analytics have improved lives in countless ways already. They improve the ways teachers instruct students, doctors diagnose and treat patients, lenders find creditworthy customers, financial service companies detect money laundering and terrorist financing, governments deliver services, and offer even more benefits for the future. Like other technologies, they also come with ethical challenges that should be addressed by policymakers and organizations themselves.

“Organizations can meet their ethical obligations and persuade policymakers and the public that they are responsible users of data analytics only if they have policies and procedures in place for ethical review; publicly available ethical principles that they adhere to; and a transparent communication program that allows them to describe their policies, procedures, and principles in an accountable way.

“This SIIA issue brief seeks to deepen and develop the conversation about maintaining and enhancing such an organizational culture.”

CEO of the Future of Privacy Forum, Jules Polonetsky

“The SIIA Report makes clear that companies ‘cannot rely on compliance with existing law alone as an adequate response to the ethical challenges of big data analytics.’ The report really provides great value by helping companies map how to actually implement ethical principles in a practical way as part of a governance program.”

Chief Strategist of the Information Accountability Forum, Marty Abrams

“While AI and observational data are necessary for smart cars to be smart and personalized medicine to be personal, it is challenged by the nature and spirit of privacy law worldwide. To reconcile that difference, we need values to drive decisions that place people first. The SIIA Principles do just that.”

The full issue brief and principles can be found at http://bit.ly/2zkNmp5.