Safe and Ethical AI (SEA) Platform Network · Linking Artificial Intelligence Principles (LAIP)

(i) Accountability:

Arrangements should be developed that will make possible to attribute accountability for AI driven decisions and the behaviour of AI systems.

Principle: Suggested generic principles for the development, implementation and use of AI, Mar 21, 2019

Published by The Extended Working Group on Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) of the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST), UNESCO

Related Principles

6. Accountability and Integrity

There needs to be human accountability and control in the design, development, and deployment of AI systems. Deployers should be accountable for decisions made by AI systems and for the compliance with applicable laws and respect for AI ethics and principles. AI actors9 should act with integrity throughout the AI system lifecycle when designing, developing, and deploying AI systems. Deployers of AI systems should ensure the proper functioning of AI systems and its compliance with applicable laws, internal AI governance policies and ethical principles. In the event of a malfunction or misuse of the AI system that results in negative outcomes, responsible individuals should act with integrity and implement mitigating actions to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. To facilitate the allocation of responsibilities, organisations should adopt clear reporting structures for internal governance, setting out clearly the different kinds of roles and responsibilities for those involved in the AI system lifecycle. AI systems should also be designed, developed, and deployed with integrity – any errors or unethical outcomes should at minimum be documented and corrected to prevent harm to users upon deployment

Published by ASEAN in ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, 2024

Accountability

Those responsible for the different phases of the AI system lifecycle should be identifiable and accountable for the outcomes of the AI systems, and human oversight of AI systems should be enabled. This principle aims to acknowledge the relevant organisations' and individuals’ responsibility for the outcomes of the AI systems that they design, develop, deploy and operate. The application of legal principles regarding accountability for AI systems is still developing. Mechanisms should be put in place to ensure responsibility and accountability for AI systems and their outcomes. This includes both before and after their design, development, deployment and operation. The organisation and individual accountable for the decision should be identifiable as necessary. They must consider the appropriate level of human control or oversight for the particular AI system or use case. AI systems that have a significant impact on an individual's rights should be accountable to external review, this includes providing timely, accurate, and complete information for the purposes of independent oversight bodies.

Published by Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Australian Government in AI Ethics Principles, Nov 7, 2019

3. New technology, including AI systems, must be transparent and explainable

For the public to trust AI, it must be transparent. Technology companies must be clear about who trains their AI systems, what data was used in that training and, most importantly, what went into their algorithm’s recommendations. If we are to use AI to help make important decisions, it must be explainable.

Published by IBM in Principles for Trust and Transparency, May 30, 2018

Ensure “Interpretability” of AI systems

Principle: Decisions made by an AI agent should be possible to understand, especially if those decisions have implications for public safety, or result in discriminatory practices. Recommendations: Ensure Human Interpretability of Algorithmic Decisions: AI systems must be designed with the minimum requirement that the designer can account for an AI agent’s behaviors. Some systems with potentially severe implications for public safety should also have the functionality to provide information in the event of an accident. Empower Users: Providers of services that utilize AI need to incorporate the ability for the user to request and receive basic explanations as to why a decision was made.

Published by Internet Society, "Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Policy Paper" in Guiding Principles and Recommendations, Apr 18, 2017

Transparency and explainability

United Nations system organizations should ensure transparency and explainability of AI systems that they use at all stages of their lifecycle and of decision making processes involving AI systems. Technical explainability requires that the decisions made by an AI system can be understood and traced by human beings. Individuals should be meaningfully informed when a decision which may or will impact their rights, fundamental freedoms, entitlements, services or benefits, is informed by or made based on AI algorithms and have access to the reasons for a decision and the logic involved. The information and reasons for a decision should be presented in a manner that is understandable to them.

Published by United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination in Principles for the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in the United Nations System, Sept 20, 2022