Ethics Bistro

Sunday, 23rd of March 2025 – A recent segment on 60 Minutes Australia highlighted growing concerns around the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital platforms. In the episode titled “Defiant: Former Executive Takes on Facebook” (Watch here), a former Facebook (Meta) executive raised questions about how AI systems influence content delivery and the potential consequences for individuals and society.

This conversation echoes earlier testimonies from Frances Haugen, a former employee who publicly shared concerns about how content ranking algorithms may contribute to broader societal challenges (2021, 2024). These discussions are part of an important global dialogue on the ethical design and use of AI technologies not only in social media, but across all sectors.

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in business solutions, it’s vital that organizations consider its ethical implications during project planning and delivery. To address this, the inclusion of an AI Management Plan in project management plan and governance should be adopted as  best practice to ensure ethical alignment, regulatory compliance, and responsible innovation.

AI systems are driven by algorithms and data both of which can reflect the limitations and biases of their sources. When ethical considerations are not built into the design and deployment of AI, the technology can inadvertently reinforce inequalities or deliver unintended outcomes. This risk is amplified in high-impact areas such as recruitment, finance, law enforcement, and content moderation.

In recent years, several public examples have highlighted the complexities involved. For instance, facial recognition systems have led to wrongful arrests, particularly in the United States. One notable case involved Robert Williams ( https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2023-11-01/ai-facial-recognition-robert-williams-crime-prison/103032148), who was wrongfully arrested in Detroit due to a false facial recognition match.

In the hiring domain, Amazon discontinued an AI recruiting tool  after it was found to show bias against female applicants (Reuters Article).

These examples underline the importance of proactively managing AI-related risks within the project lifecycle. The broader public discussion around AI use highlighted by media programs and individual testimonies shows that innovation must be balanced with responsibility. AI has the potential to deliver significant benefits, but only when developed and deployed with care and Ethics at the forefront. This can be achieved by embedding an AI Management Plan into project delivery, then organizations can demonstrate a commitment to ethical practice and risk mitigation. This proactive approach not only ensures compliance but also enhances transparency and trust in the solutions being delivered. In an era where AI is rapidly evolving, taking a structured, ethical approach isn’t just good practice it’s becoming essential. Building trust in AI starts with responsible project delivery, and that starts with planning for ethics from day one.

Question?

What are your thoughts on including an AI Management Plan as part of project delivery? What key sections or considerations do you believe should be included to ensure ethical and responsible AI implementation?

Follow our AI and Ethics articles below

(https://www.pmi.org/learning/ai-in-project-management) 

PMI x AI | PMI Blog | PMI

ProjectManagement.com - Ethics Bistro