Updated Ethical AI Principles: Reinforcing Commitment for Sustainable Future

Published Date: 11/07/2024

We've updated our artificial intelligence principles to ensure a positive impact on society, incorporating environmental sustainability and reinforcing responsible AI practices.

Telefónica has been a pioneer in establishing ethical artificial intelligence principles, designed to ensure a positive impact on society. Our updated principles build upon our 2018 code of ethics, which guided us in designing, developing, and implementing AI-powered products and services that respect transparency, privacy, and security.

With the experience gained and the changing technology and regulatory landscape, we've decided to update our principles to address new challenges and opportunities. Factors such as the internal awareness achieved, the advent of generative AI, and the European AI Act's entry into force have prompted us to expand upon our principles.

Above all, we're committed to incorporating our strong dedication to protecting the environment and promoting AI's capacity to contribute to sustainable development. Our updated principles ensure a more comprehensive and responsible approach to AI.

Our first principle, 'Human-Centered AI,' ensures that AI respects and promotes human rights, upholds dignity and integrity, and avoids negative impacts. We also promote 'Transparent and Explainable AI' to increase trust among users, 'Fair and Inclusive AI' to enable fair decision-making, and 'AI Respectful of Privacy and Security' to protect people's right to data protection and privacy.

The renamed principle 'AI with Responsibility and Accountability through the Value Chain' demonstrates our strong belief in responsibility and accountability for AI. Our AI governance model, approved in 2023, allows us to identify and mitigate risks through a robust structure of processes, roles, and responsibilities.

Our new principle, 'AI Committed to the Environment,' promotes AI as a unique tool to help preserve the environment and encourage sustainability. We're committed to assessing and minimizing environmental impacts.

To implement these principles, we have a range of mechanisms and tools in place. These include an Artificial Intelligence governance framework, a group of experts providing supervision and advice, methodological guides and technical tools, training and awareness-raising initiatives, and dialogue and collaboration activities with other key players in the AI ecosystem.

With the renewal of our Artificial Intelligence principles, Telefónica reaffirms its leadership and commitment to the ethical and responsible use of AI, a technology that can contribute to improving people's lives and furthering the progress of society.

FAQS:

"Q: What prompted Telefónica to update its AI principles?

A: Factors such as internal awareness, the advent of generative AI, and the European AI Act's entry into force prompted us to expand upon our principles.

Q: What is the main goal of Telefónica's updated AI principles?

A: The main goal is to ensure a positive impact on society, incorporating environmental sustainability and reinforcing responsible AI practices.

Q: What is the 'AI Committed to the Environment' principle?

A: This principle promotes AI as a unique tool to help preserve the environment and encourage sustainability, committing to assess and minimize environmental impacts.

Q: How does Telefónica implement its AI principles?

A: We have a range of mechanisms and tools in place, including an AI governance framework, expert supervision, methodological guides, training initiatives, and dialogue with other key players in the AI ecosystem.

Q: What is the significance of Telefónica's updated AI principles?

A: The updated principles reaffirm Telefónica's leadership and commitment to the ethical and responsible use of AI, a technology that can contribute to improving people's lives and furthering the progress of society.

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