AI Policy - Why it matters and how to get it right

Whether professional or personally, AI enhancements are being embedded into our daily lives at a rapid rate. The applications for everything from creativity to productivity are seemingly endless. But with all this power, we need to ask ourselves - who’s making the rules? How do we ensure AI (and the companies in control) aren’t running rampant? That’s where having an AI Policy comes in.

Before your eyes glaze over at words like ‘policy’ or ‘rules’, let me reassure you - this topic is not about legal jargon and government red tape. AI Policy is about setting up the right controls to ensure AI is ethical, transparent, and beneficial to everyone involved - both internally and externally to the business.

If you think a policy like this is only relevant to governments and big companies, think again. Whatever your role, understanding where AI fits into your day-to-day working life is essential.

AI Policy - What’s the big deal?

AI Policies provide the opportunity to set rules for how AI is developed and used. It covers things like -

• Ethics and fairness – Making sure AI isn’t biased or discriminatory.
• Transparency – Ensuring AI decision-making processes and usage aren’t a mystery.
• Privacy and security – Keeping personal data and information safe.
• Accountability – Making sure there’s always human oversight.
• Workforce impact – Helping businesses and workers adapt to AI-driven changes.

Sounds reasonable AND important, right? That’s because it is. Without proper policies in place, AI can reinforce biases, mishandle sensitive information, and even cause real-world harm. And while Skynet and Hollywood portrayals aren’t just around the corner (and hopefully never will be…), the reality is that unchecked AI can create serious challenges socially and economically if we’re not careful.

Why should we care about AI Policy?

There are a few overarching reasons that highlight the importance. These include -

1. AI affects you, whether you know it or not – From job recruitment (data analysis) to customer service (agents and chatbots), AI is shaping industries across the board. Having strong policies behind AI help people make informed decisions about how to use (or challenge) AI-powered tools and organisations. If you’re not an avid AI follower, it’s likely you don’t know the vast reach of AI. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, you don’t want to be fooled into thinking you’re immune. Be smart and keep people accountable.
2. Trust matters as a business and a customer – If you’re a business owner, your customers and employees need to trust that your systems are fair and reliable, including those enhanced by AI. Having clear AI policies in place helps build that trust and ensures your customers know they can rely on you. AI itself isn’t the issue. It’s about people being informed about how and when it’s used. Most people wouldn’t buy food if they couldn’t trust the ingredient quality or if they knew it was unethically produced. It’s the same thing with AI.
3. It impacts your future – The way AI is regulated today will determine how we use it tomorrow. As systems are growing and being implemented rapidly, we need controls in place now to ensure we are protected and people kept accountable.?

Global status of AI Policy

When it comes to AI policies, there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ option. Countries across the globe are taking slightly different approaches:

• The European Union is leading the way with its AI Act, which classifies AI tools by risk level and applies stricter regulations to high-risk applications.
• The United States is taking a more flexible approach, with a mix of federal guidelines and industry-led standards.
• China is rapidly advancing its AI capabilities and implementing policies to balance innovation with government oversight.
• Australia has released some placeholder guardrails, which will be transformed into formal regulations in the coming months.

The biggest issue is that AI doesn’t recognise borders, but policies do. Big corporations are held (theoretically) accountable to laws and regulations across all their operating jurisdictions, and AI is no different. Staying on top of these regulations is vital for every business and having an AI policy of your own helps to achieve that by limiting risk and increasing accountability for everyone.

How can businesses and individuals prepare for an AI-infused world?

As mentioned above, AI policy (both internal processes and external regulations) affects everyone. Here are tips to keep in mind and apply -

1. Stay informed – Keep up with the AI regulations relevant to your industry. The rules are still evolving, but staying in the loop will help you adapt. I recommend subscribing to AI newsletters, government updates, and industry publications, plus following specialist AI trainers (like me #shamelessplug), and lawyers for guidance.
2. Prioritise Ethical AI – Make sure the AI tools you use align with your business’ ethical guidelines. You can start by looking for transparency in the tool’s privacy policy. If the company and the technology are aligned with you and your business personally, it’s likely to be in line with your own policies and future needs.
3. Train your team – AI literacy is key. The better you and your team understand AI, the more effectively (and responsibly) you can use it. Getting an AI Officer onboard who keeps on top of AI-related information and communicates updates to your teams is a great option.
4. Advocate for smart AI policies – If you’re in a position to shape AI policy, whether within your company or through industry groups, push for policies that prioritise human oversight and fairness.

AI Policy with a Human-First Approach

At HumanEdge AI Training, we believe in a human-first approach to AI - one where AI empowers people rather than replacing them. The best AI policies feature rules and regulations as well as transparency and fairness.?

Next time you hear about AI Policy, don’t tune out. It’s not just for policymakers and lawyers - it’s for all of us.?

For more information and a deeper understanding about AI Policy, grab your spot at our upcoming masterclass with Michelle Gorton from Gorton IP on 13th March.?

Register here - https://writetimemarketing.thrivecart.com/why-you-need-an-ai-policy/?

P.S. This article was written as the result of the human brains of my assistant and me (80%) and ChatGPT (20%).