Ethics

I considered writing a book on the implications, needs, and requirements of ethics in analytics, but I decided against completing that project. Why? First, there are several very good books that have been published on the topic. Second, ethics should be part of our mindset in everything that we do. Given that belief, I felt that it was better to imbue this book, and every book that I will write in the future, with a subtext of ethics. All through the content of this book, I will discuss and call out how ethics impact and inform choices, and how to consider the ethics of the decisions being made.

Society, as a whole, is concerned about the implications of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence. Given what has happened with social media and the bad actors involved in those platforms, there is replace with: grounds for concern which drives the need for consideration that all innovations have the potential to be deployed and employed for unethical purposes.

Researchers, experts, pundits, company executives, government ministers, legislators, and others have written and spoken at length about the potential value and operational downsides of governmental interventions like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enacted by the European Union (EU) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). One fact is for certain: we have passed the point where self-regulation by companies is an acceptable approach to constraining corporate policy and behavior in the use of data, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence.

Governments are stepping in and will continue to step in. If building a business on a fair business proposition and providing value to customers, consumers, partners, and society is not enough of a guideline for corporate executive and managers, there will be more guidelines and regulations forthcoming from multiple jurisdictions.

Let's proceed under the premise that everything we do and all the choices we make in relation to data and analytics have the best interest of the consumer, customer, patient, and all involved in mind. Let's also keep in mind that the further we stray from this core premise, the more likely it is that we will cause harm to our business, reputation, and the wellbeing and peace of mind of our customers, patients, and broader society.

The further afield we take our efforts away from being ethically aligned, the harder the fall will be when the correction comes from either internal or external forces. Be assured that we will be forced to explain our actions and efforts at some point in the very near future.

Transparency, ethical actions, and honesty will be our guiding principles.