Survey Reveals Discrepancies in Responsible AI Engagement Across Different Roles

In a promising evolution toward ethical AI practices, a recent survey has revealed that 61% of senior executives across various industries worldwide are "highly involved" in responsible AI initiatives within their companies. This figure highlights a significant shift, placing responsible AI firmly on corporate agendas and indicating a new approach to integrating AI into business strategies alongside ethical considerations.

Interestingly, data scientists and IT engineers are also notably engaged, with 34% and 31.7% reporting high involvement, respectively. However, a surprising statistic emerged regarding sustainability managers, with only 18.5% indicating significant involvement—ranking them among the least engaged groups. They narrowly outpaced external partners and consultants, who reported an even lower engagement level. This noticeable gap raises questions about communication and collaboration across departments, as well as the scope of responsibilities tied to sustainable AI practices. It's possible that companies need to broaden the focus of sustainability managers beyond environmental concerns to encompass more aspects of responsible AI.

Among survey participants, 63.4% directly influence strategic decisions related to AI responsibility, while 27.3% have some degree of influence. A small 9.3% reported limited or no involvement in these critical decisions.

In seeking to enhance engagement over the coming year, respondents expressed the desire for increased participation in responsible AI initiatives. They indicated a goal of achieving 69.6% for senior executives, 45.4% for data scientists, and 41.9% for IT engineers. Unfortunately, sustainability managers were projected to have just 33.5% involvement—a trend showing their continued marginalization concerning ethical AI efforts.

Another notable finding pertains to the supply chain. Although nearly 90% of companies report implementing or actively assessing responsible AI strategies, only 34% have established processes to ensure these strategies are effectively applied throughout their supply chains. Alarmingly, nearly 40% of companies lack any procedure for ensuring responsible AI practices among their vendors, with 11% having a process that remains largely unused.

For those that do assess their vendors for responsible AI practices, results vary: half verify all vendors, while a third focus solely on their largest suppliers, and 11% do not perform any vendor screening. Regarding supplier declarations, half of the respondents indicated they have teams dedicated to oversight using independent frameworks, a quarter reported having teams without a structured evaluation approach, and about 19% rely on ad-hoc checks from employees.

These gaps—both within organizations and extending to vendor relationships—underscore the ongoing challenges in prioritizing ethical AI. Nevertheless, belief in responsible AI remains strong, with nearly 60% of respondents agreeing that ensuring ethical and trustworthy AI is central to their work. However, there is also a sense of pragmatic cynicism, as nearly 40% believe that the full implications of AI risks will only become apparent following a significant incident stemming from inadequate ethical practices. This suggests that, while some companies may adopt ethical AI to improve their standing, others may prioritize risk mitigation, particularly concerning financial and legal repercussions.

Understanding the driving forces behind responsible AI adoption—whether genuine belief in its importance or strategic risk management—is essential as organizations prepare for the inevitable implementation of government-mandated AI regulations. As stakeholders navigate this evolving landscape, the conversation around responsible AI will continue to grow in importance, demanding attention and action at all corporate levels.