Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing work, innovation, and decision making in today’s business landscape. As its adoption accelerates, the SAFE AI Framework™ emphasizes secure, adaptable, factual, and ethical AI implementations to help drive organizational growth and efficiency. In this article, we’ll define the four elements of the framework and explain why each is critical.
SAFE AI Framework™
Secure: Safeguarding infrastructure and relationships
Adaptable: Focusing on people, processes, and technologies
Factual: Verifying source information
Ethical: Implementing governance guardrails
Secure
Data security is vital when using AI. The SAFE AI Framework™ focuses on creating robust system security measures and adhering to data privacy, compliance, and protection standards. It also encourages the development of best practices for AI security and collaborative efforts with external partners and stakeholders.
Working with AI tools at the organizational level requires a methodical approach that must address data security and implications for interactions with AI tools that may potentially encroach upon legal or ethical boundaries. Knowing which tools to leverage and how to build best practices is vital to a safe and practical AI strategy. The “secure” element of the SAFE AI Framework™ pertains to safeguarding infrastructure and relationships and incorporates:
- System security, safeguards, and best practices
- Data privacy, compliance, and data protection standards
- Collaborating with external partners and stakeholders
- Development of best practices for AI security
Adaptable
The SAFE AI Framework™ emphasizes the need for “adaptable” AI strategies, advocating for the continuous review and updating of business processes to incorporate AI-driven solutions.
It also encourages upskilling employees and fostering a culture of innovation. Effective AI implementation involves focusing on processes, people, and technologies. Here’s how these three groups can work together to achieve desired results.
- Regularly review and update business processes to incorporate AI-driven solutions.
- Prioritize upskilling and re-skilling employees to work with AI tools.
- Review emerging AI technologies that align with your organization’s strategic goals.
- Build a culture of innovation that encourages experimentation and learning.
Factual
Using verified sources helps AI tools work smarter and avoid hallucinations. The SAFE AI Framework™ underscores the importance of factual accuracy in AI-generated results. This involves incorporating human oversight and verification, establishing clear governance guardrails for data integrity, and promoting transparency in AI-generated content.
AI results should not be taken at face value without a “human in the loop” to review, edit, and validate the output. Incorporate a final review process before releasing AI-generated content to your audience. Check for anomalies and correct them before releasing the information. Here are a few best practices to consider.
- Incorporate human oversight and verification of AI-generated data and content.
- Establish clear governance guardrails to support data integrity and accuracy.
- Regularly test AI tools to confirm they uphold to factual standards.
- Promote transparency in AI-generated content, including clear attribution and source information.
Ethical
AI should be implemented ethically to avoid undesired consequences. The SAFE AI Framework™ advocates the development of clear AI ethics policies that outline the organization’s values and principles.
To avoid undesired consequences, implementing governance guardrails around how your organization can use AI should be established up front. Here are best practices to review.
- Develop a clear AI ethics policy that outlines the organization’s values and principles.
- Implement and design AI tools to help prevent bias and discrimination while promoting fairness and inclusivity; this will include researching data sources and testing outputs.
- Establish a process to identify, assess, and address potential unintended consequences of AI deployment.
- Engage with diverse stakeholders to gain an inclusive understanding of ethical concerns and best practices for your organization.
Working SAFE With Forvis Mazars
AI tools can contribute to productivity, speed, efficiency, and creativity. Yet navigating the landscape of solutions and implementation practices can be challenging. With the SAFE AI Framework™ as your guide, you can confidently embrace your organization’s future with AI.
Navigate digital transformation with Forvis Mazars and discover the enormous potential AI can contribute, while following best practices for security, adaptability, factual integrity, and ethics. Work SAFE with Forvis Mazars, and we can help you stay ahead of the curve. Connect with us today to learn more.