Guideline (Ethical AI)
A non-binding recommendation or best-practice document issued by organizations (e.g., IEEE, EU) to shape responsible AI development and deployment.
Definition
High-level advisories that articulate ethical principles (e.g., fairness, accountability, privacy) and suggest implementation approaches (impact assessments, transparency mechanisms). While not legally enforceable, guidelines influence corporate policies, vendor contracts, and emerging standards, serving as de facto governance references until formal regulations catch up.
Real-World Example
An AI startup aligns its development process to the IEEE Ethically Aligned Design guidelines: they integrate seven trust principles into their project templates and train all engineers on these guidelines—ensuring a shared ethical vocabulary and consistent practices even before regulation mandates them.
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