Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our society. AI increasingly supports processes and decision-making within organizations, including in the public sector. But with this progress comes a major responsibility. How can we ensure that AI remains fair, understandable and reliable?
That is why we talk about AI governance: the set of guidelines, values and agreements that ensure AI systems are developed and used responsibly. Within AI governance, there are three essential pillars: transparency, ethics and accountability.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these pillars.
1. Transparency: understandable AI, not a black box
When AI is used, it is important that everyone, from policymakers to citizens, understands what the system does and why. Transparency means providing insight into how an AI model arrives at certain outcomes.
That requires clear explanation. What data does the system use? How is that data interpreted? And what role does the system play in the decision-making process?
This is especially crucial in the public sector. Citizens have a right to understand how algorithms influence their lives. Transparency builds trust and prevents people from feeling that technology is making decisions about them without their input.
2. Ethics: fair technology for everyone
AI must contribute to a just society. That sounds logical, but in practice it is not guaranteed. AI systems can unintentionally disadvantage certain groups, for example due to bias in the data they are trained on.
An ethical approach ensures that such risks are identified and addressed in time. Consider questions like:
- Are all people treated equally by the system?
- Does the model take into account different perspectives and backgrounds?
- Are the system’s decisions aligned with social values and norms?
Ethics means thinking ahead. It requires awareness of the impact AI has on people and a willingness to take that impact seriously, even if that means revising decisions or changing processes.
3. Accountability: technology is never fully autonomous
An AI system can do a lot, but it remains a tool. The ultimate responsibility for what the system does always lies with humans. It must always be clear who is accountable for the outcomes of AI, especially when it comes to decisions affecting citizens.
Accountability also means proper oversight. Is the system regularly evaluated? Is there room for objection or correction? And do employees within an organization understand their roles in using AI?
By clearly assigning responsibility, we ensure that AI contributes to controllable and trustworthy processes.
Why these pillars are essential
Transparency, ethics and accountability are not buzzwords. They are the foundation for deploying AI successfully and responsibly, especially in public environments. Citizens must be able to trust the decisions that are made, even when technology plays a role.
AI governance helps organizations earn that trust. By setting clear frameworks from the start and working from a values-based approach, AI becomes a reinforcement of human action rather than a replacement for it.
In short: AI is only truly intelligent when we manage it well.
How Textmetrics contributes to responsible AI
Transparency starts with clear language. If you want people to understand how AI works, you need to communicate clearly. That applies to citizens, employees and anyone interacting with technology.
Textmetrics helps organizations communicate about AI in a consistent and understandable way. Our platform ensures your texts are always inclusive, accessible and clear.
With smart AI technology, Textmetrics supports you in:
- writing clear content
- detecting unclear or exclusive language
- building trust in your communication
In this way, the human dimension remains central, even as technology becomes more intelligent.
Ready to get started with responsible AI?
With Textmetrics, you ensure that your communication aligns with the three pillars of AI governance: transparency, ethics and accountability.
Want to learn how we can support your organization? Schedule a demo or get in touch with us.