As digital transformation continues to sweep the business world, companies are investing heavily in cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data. But, as these technologies impact customers, employees, and society as a whole, it's crucial that ethical considerations take center stage.
In today's competitive environment, a company's reputation and values are just as important as its products and services.
But, in a digital society, what does it mean to be ethical? And how can those involved in designing, developing, and deploying digital services translate ethical principles into professional behaviors that will support digital transformation initiatives?
Here are five key considerations to keep in mind:
1. Privacy, security and integrity
Data collection, management, and usage raise ethical and legal concerns. Ethical data use requires informing people and obtaining their consent. It also means ensuring that the data stored and used is subject to strict governance and audit procedures to prevent misuse or data leaks, as well as sharing any benefit gained from collecting personal data with the appropriate parties.
2. Recognize and address bias
Biased data leads to biased systems. As they design, develop, and implement digital services, digital professionals must be vigilant in recognizing and addressing biases, particularly in machine-learning algorithms. Although data always reflects society and bias cannot be avoided, organizations should work to reduce it.
3. Share the benefits
Technology should benefit society as a whole, starting with employees and customers.
Customers must be viewed as more than a source of revenue, and employees must be considered more than a cost center.
4. Business operations must fully incorporate digital ethics.
Good intentions are admirable, but actions speak louder than words. Organizations should identify the requirements they must meet, both legally and ethically, as part of the digital transformation process. Instead of being left to the discretion of a single person, these elements should be a formal part of the investment decision-making process and become an inherent element of how the business is conducted..
5. Be accountable, even when it's difficult.
Too many businesses have externalized their social and environmental costs. This has to change. Simply stating values is insufficient; true value-driven organizations use ethical values to guide their actions, even when making difficult decisions. And when failure occurs, they must accept responsibility for their error and take steps to correct and prevent future occurrences.
And, it doesn't have to stop here. As leaders, employees, entrepreneurs, and, most importantly, citizens, it is our responsibility to actively strive to do better.
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