Skip to content
Navigating a New Political Landscape: View real-time updates about the impact of and Northeastern’s response to recent political changes.
Apply
Stories

Why do companies struggle with ethical artificial intelligence?

People in this story

PhD student Urbashee Paul poses for a portrait on Oct. 18, 2019. Paul is investigating the barriers to opportunities faced by youth in the U.S. to find ways to mitigate the economic inequality they may face later in life. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University
PhD student Urbashee Paul poses for a portrait on Oct. 18, 2019.

Some of the world’s biggest organizations, from the United Nations to Google to the U.S. Defense Department, proudly proclaim their bona fides when it comes to their ethical use of artificial intelligence. But for many other organizations, talking the talk is the easy part. A new report by a pair of Northeastern researchers discusses how articulating values, ethical concepts, and principles is just the first step in addressing AI and data ethics challenges. The harder work is moving from vague, abstract promises to substantive commitments that are action-guiding and measurable.

“You see case after case where a company has these mission statements that they fail to live up to,” says John Basl, an associate professor of philosophy and a co-author of the report. “Their attempt to do ethics falls apart.”

Continue reading at News@Northeastern.

More Stories

Laurel and Scroll 100 honors outstanding graduate students for achievements aligning with the university’s mission, ideals and values. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Northeastern honors top graduate students with launch of Laurel and Scroll 100 Society

04.15.2025
Eli Curwin sits at his laptop

From City Hall to Congress, Northeastern co-op student finds his voice on Mayor Wu’s speechwriting team

04.15.2025
President Donald Trump, left, greets Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador, outside the White House on Monday, April 14, 2025.

Did Donald Trump defy a Supreme Court order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia?

04.15.25
All Stories