Reference: Digital Ethics Framework for Deutsche Telekom

As a result of the AI Act, Artificial Intelligence is becoming an even greater focus of data protection and the misuse of personal rights through this technology. But who actually protects employees in companies from unintentionally causing harm through the use of AI? Although guidelines provide the framework for the application of ethics in AI, it remains challenging to translate these into procedural instructions within the company.

Deutsche Telekom wanted to establish confidence and security in this area while developing a customized approach to combine the latest technologies with ethical standards. The Digital Ethics Framework encompasses all stakeholders in the ethical AI journey, safeguarding reputation and liability while bolstering business engagement in an age where corporate values significantly shape customer trust.

The framework provides a clear structure for managing AI use cases for innovation and regulatory implementation. Throughout the entire AI lifecycle, it supports all relevant stakeholders with tools and methods to identify risks, define risk mitigation strategies, implement requirements, and verify their implementation. All tools are developed with principles of user-centricity and innovation enablement, ensuring that high-risk use cases can be developed securely, with development teams equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools. This kit includes the development of ethical guidelines, a technology radar to identify use cases that might pose risks regarding ethical guidelines or regulations, tools for the ethical design of use cases, and self-assessment tools for Data Scientists and Product Managers to analyze technical risks and verify compliance with specific obligations.

• Conducting in-depth user and stakeholder research
• Identifying additional blind spots for the strategic goals of reputation/trust building and business engagement
• Further development of the digital ethics assessment by establishing design and implementation goals, as well as overall business and content requirements
• Supporting DE-related communication activities, awareness campaigns, and general stakeholder communication

The Digital Ethics Framework is more than just a technical and ethical assessment tool. It is a strategic approach for cultural and mindset change, enabling technological advancements in line with the company's core ethical values. This innovative framework provides structured approaches to ensure responsible progress for new developments and minimizing risks for the business.

Measurable results

• Compliance risks can be significantly reduced thanks to greater transparency. Experts estimate a reduction of up to 50%.
• Self-assessments ensure process-controlled implementation of corporate standards, with experts predicting a cost reduction of up to 30% thanks to increased efficiency in the framework's AI testing process.
• Forward-looking planning makes it possible to plan for future regulatory requirements of the AI systems at an early stage and save resources. Estimated savings can be up to 50%.