Read a new white paper from IDC and Microsoft for guidance on building trustworthy AI and how businesses can benefit from using AI responsibly.
We are pleased to present a white paper commissioned by Microsoft with IDC: The Business Case for Responsible AI. This white paper, based on IDC’s Worldwide Responsible AI Survey sponsored by Microsoft, provides guidance to business and technology leaders on how to systematically build trustworthy AI. In today’s rapidly evolving technological environment, AI has emerged as a transformative force that is reshaping industries and redefining the way businesses operate. Generative AI usage will surge from 55% in 2023 to 75% in 2024. The potential for AI to drive innovation and improve operational efficiency is undeniable.1 But with great power comes great responsibility. Additionally, the deployment of AI technologies carries significant risks and challenges that must be addressed to ensure responsible use.
At Microsoft, we are committed to enabling all people and organizations to use and build trusted AI—AI that is private, safe, and secure. You can learn more about our commitment and capabilities in our presentation on Trustworthy AI. Our approach to safe AI, or responsible AI, is based on our core values, risk management and compliance practices, advanced tools and technologies, and the commitment of individuals committed to responsibly deploying and using generative AI. I am leaving it.
We believe that a responsible AI approach fosters innovation by developing and deploying AI technologies in a fair, transparent, and responsible manner. According to IDC’s Worldwide Responsible AI Survey, 91% of organizations are currently using AI technologies, and by 2024, AI is expected to improve customer experience, business resilience, sustainability, and operational efficiency by more than 24%. Additionally, organizations using responsible AI solutions have reported benefits such as improved data privacy, improved customer experience, confident business decisions, and strengthened brand reputation and trust. These solutions are built with tools and methodologies to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks throughout development and deployment.
AI is a critical enabler of business transformation, providing unprecedented opportunities for innovation and growth. However, responsible AI development and use is essential to mitigate risk and build trust with customers and stakeholders. By adopting a responsible AI approach, organizations can align their AI deployments with their own values ​​and societal expectations to deliver sustainable value for both the organization and its customers.
Key Findings from IDC Survey
The IDC Worldwide Responsible AI Survey highlights the importance of operating responsible AI practices.
- More than 30% of respondents cited lack of governance and risk management solutions as the biggest barrier to AI adoption and expansion.
- More than 75% of respondents using responsible AI solutions reported improved data privacy, customer experience, confident business decisions, and brand reputation and trust.
- Organizations are increasingly investing in AI and machine learning governance tools and professional services for responsible AI. In 2024, 35% of AI organization spending will be allocated to AI and machine learning governance tools and 32% to professional services.
In response to these findings, IDC suggests that responsible AI organizations be built on core values ​​and four pillars: governance, risk management and compliance, technology, and people.
- Core values ​​and governance: A responsible AI organization defines and articulates its AI mission and principles with the support of corporate leadership. Establishing a clear governance structure across the organization builds confidence and trust in AI technology.
- Risk Management and Compliance: It is essential to strengthen compliance with stated principles and current laws and regulations. Organizations should develop policies to mitigate risks and operationalize those policies through a risk management framework with regular reporting and monitoring.
- technology: It is important to utilize tools and technologies that support principles such as fairness, explainability, robustness, accountability, and privacy. These principles must be built into AI systems and platforms.
- manpower: It is paramount to strengthen leadership capacity to elevate Responsible AI to a critical business imperative and provide training on Responsible AI principles to all employees. Educating the broader workforce will ensure responsible adoption of AI across the organization.
Advice and Recommendations for Business and Technology Leaders
To ensure responsible use of AI technologies, organizations should consider a systematic approach to AI governance. Based on our research, here are some recommendations for business and technology leaders: It’s worth noting that Microsoft has adopted these practices and is committed to partnering with customers on their responsible AI journey.
- Establishing AI principles: Commit to responsible technology development and establish specific application areas that are not pursued. Build and test to be safe, not to create or reinforce unfair biases. Learn how Microsoft builds and manages AI responsibly.
- Implementing AI governance: Establish an AI governance committee with diverse and inclusive representation. Define policies to manage internal and external AI use, promote transparency and explainability, and conduct regular AI audits. Read the Microsoft Transparency Report.
- Make privacy and security your top priority: We strengthen privacy and data protection measures when operating AI to prevent unauthorized data access and ensure user trust. Learn more about Microsoft’s efforts to safely and responsibly implement generative AI across your organization.
- Invest in AI training: Allocate resources for regular training and workshops on responsible AI practices for the entire workforce, including executives. Visit Microsoft Learn to find generative AI courses for business leaders, developers, and machine learning experts.
- Comply with global AI regulations: Stay up to date with global AI regulations, including the EU AI Act, and comply with new requirements. Check the Microsoft Trust Center for the latest requirements.
As organizations continue to integrate AI into their business processes, it is important to remember that responsible AI is a strategic advantage. By embedding responsible AI practices into the core of their operations, organizations can drive innovation, strengthen customer trust, and support long-term sustainability. Organizations that prioritize responsible AI will be better positioned to navigate the complexities of the AI ​​landscape and capitalize on opportunities that can reinvent customer experiences or bend the innovation curve.
Microsoft is committed to supporting customers on their responsible AI journey. We provide a variety of tools, resources, and best practices to help organizations effectively implement responsible AI principles. We’re also leveraging our partner ecosystem to provide our customers with market and technology insights designed to help them deploy responsible AI solutions on Microsoft platforms. By working together, we can create a future where AI is used responsibly to benefit businesses and society as a whole.
As organizations navigate the complexities of AI adoption, it is important to make responsible AI an integrated practice throughout the organization. This will help organizations unlock the full potential of AI while using it in a way that is fair and beneficial to everyone.
Explore solutions
1IDC’s 2024 AI Opportunity Study: Top 5 AI Trends to Watch, Alysa Taylor. November 14, 2024.
IDC White Paper: The Business Case for Responsible AI 2024, sponsored by Microsoft, IDC #US52727124, December 2024. This study was commissioned and sponsored by Microsoft. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
