OWP liVe REPORT

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Navigate the challenges of digital ethics

D I G I TA L

Professor of Digital Strategy & Cybersecurity, Öykü I ş ik answered questions on digital transformation initiatives for companies, the ethical and moral issues of AI, and the implications of data collection.

What is meant by ‘moral issues’ in a digital sense, and how can these be defined? Evaluating a system of moral principles through association with our personal values in relation to the use and sharing of data, algorithms, and corresponding practices is what many try to do. However, organizations don’t always share the same moral values as individuals. The terms “digital ethics” and “data ethics” can be used interchangeably, because we are talking not only about data, but also about algorithms and the way we use data and algorithms. It is a complex arena, there are many ethical challenges that result from the computation through collection, processing and storage of the data.

Where should companies stand on AI and what is their moral responsibility and accountability on the accumulation of AI data? Given that algorithms and data are a part of artificial intelligence (AI), and that AI itself has come to prominence recently, understanding and addressing the challenges it poses in terms of outcome is core for any organization. Algorithms are also about how the biases of developers are coded, and should be part of the discussion on how they can adversely impact on people and society. A recently published academic article in Nature illustrates this: An AI system that reportedly surpassed human experts in breast cancer detection caused heavy criticism because the algorithm wasn’t shared, there was no transparency, and this lack of information and details undermined its very real scientific value.

How can organizations prioritize privacy and cybersecurity while enforcing regulations for digital privacy policies?

ÖYKÜ I Ş IK IMD Professor of Digital Strategy and Cybersecurity

Privacy and cybersecurity need to be among the guiding principles of any company because the collecting and sharing of data must have safeguards. Customer trust is shifting and 7 out of 10 people are worried about their data, so legalities and transparency are necessary for trust. If, as part of a digital transformation, data is handled responsibly, moral and ethical data issues are addressed, and customers sense transparency and openness, it can only increase customer loyalty and positively build the business’s reputation. The way moral values are defined and operationalized will have a big impact on the success of the digital initiatives of the organization.