The Role of Information Managers in Ethical AI: Challenges and Responsibilities

In today's rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, the question of ethical AI implementation is becoming increasingly crucial. As an information management professional, I've been contemplating the role we play in this complex scenario.

Organizational Responsibility and Governance

While organizations are ultimately responsible for the ethical use and implementation of AI, the question remains: how can a corporate entity truly be held accountable? This is where governance structures are vital. Organizations need to consider establishing AI committees and assigning clear responsibilities. Information managers should undoubtedly be part of these conversations and committees, though they shouldn't bear sole responsibility. Regulation also has a role to play here in making higher officers accountable for the information they generate, however this can be a long and complex process to implement, and then of course, enforce.

Lessons from Social Media

My concerns about AI stems partly from experiences with social media. While social media was meant to bring us closer together, it has also become a platform for harassment and abuse, particularly for marginalized groups. As a woman in the tech industry, I've experienced firsthand the anxieties that come with posting content online, constantly second-guessing whether my words might invite unwarranted criticism or personal attacks.

The Potential Misuse of AI

AI presents similar, if not more significant, challenges. For instance, the ability to generate fake images raises serious ethical concerns. What if someone uses AI to create and circulate inappropriate or compromising images of a colleague? How do we protect individuals, especially those from minority groups or those already facing discrimination, from such potential abuses? There have already been media reports of this happening in schools where students used AI to create photos of classmates in compromising positions.

Data Privacy Concerns

In a professional context, we need to consider how AI-generated content might impact workplace safety and privacy. What happens if AI systems are fed sensitive information, such as past disciplinary issues, when generating content like policy documents? How do we ensure that information that should remain confidential isn't inadvertently exposed or misused?

The Need for Robust Frameworks

Organizations need to establish robust frameworks and governance structures to address these concerns. We must learn from the challenges posed by social media and proactively work to create safeguards in AI implementation. This includes:

1. Establishing clear ethical guidelines for AI use
2. Creating diverse AI governance committees
3. Implementing strong data protection measures
4. Providing education on responsible AI use
5. Developing protocols for addressing AI-related ethical breaches

As information managers, we have a crucial role to play in shaping these frameworks and ensuring that ethical considerations are at the forefront of AI implementation in our organizations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the potential of AI is immense, we must approach its implementation with caution and forethought. By learning from past technological disruptions and prioritizing ethical considerations, we can harness the power of AI while protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals in our organizations.

Join AIIM as we discuss the intersection between unstructured data and AI at the AI+IM Global Summit, being held March 31-April 2, 2025. Learn more at https://www.aiim.org/global-summit-2025.

This blog post is based on an original AIIM OnAir podcast. When recording podcasts, AIIM uses AI-enabled transcription in Zoom. We then use that transcription as part of a prompt with Claude Pro, Anthropic's AI assistant. AIIM staff (aka humans) then edit the output from Claude for accuracy, completeness, and tone. In this way, we use AI to increase the accessibility of our podcast and extend the value of great content.