We invite you to join Phase 2 of the Collective Impact Coalition for Ethical AI (previously the Collective Impact Coalition for Digital Inclusion).  We will publicly launch this on Thursday, 29th February 2024 at 9am ET/2pm GMT/3pm CET. 

Background

In September 2022, the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) launched the Digital CIC the Collective Impact Coalition for Digital Inclusion (“Digital CIC”), now known as the Collective Impact Coalition for Ethical AI (“Digital CIC” or “CIC for Ethical AI”).  This investor engagement workstream is led by two investors who are members of WBA’s group of Allies: Fidelity International and Boston Common Asset Management. Alongside WBA, they form the Steering Committee of the Digital CIC.

As of December 2023, the initiative comprised 34 investors as well as 12 non-governmental organizations, research institutions, and other entities that collectively form a broad civil society arm.  In its first phase (Sep 2022 – Feb 2024), the investor group of the CIC engaged 44 companies on the public adoption of ethical AI principles.  Since the launch we have seen some progress in disclosure of ethical AI principles. You can find a detailed report on the impact here.

Invitation to join The CIC for Ethical AI is currently entering Phase 2

In this new phase, the initiative’s formal scope will expand to include three new expectations of companies which builds on the core expectation of publishing their AI principles. Companies will be asked to demonstrate i) how they are implementing their published AI principles; ii) how AI risks are reflected in their human rights impact assessments, and iii) what governance mechanisms underpin the development, deployment, and procurement of AI technology. The CIC will continue to engage with the companies that do not yet have public ethical AI principles.

How to Join:  Investors are invited to join the CIC for Ethical AI and sign this statement by filling out this short survey by 19th February 2024.  Please review the attached Investor Statement, CIC Terms of Reference, and Company List carefully before responding to the survey. 

Please note:  We are now opening this engagement to all 200 benchmarked companies.  Company assignments including lead and supporting roles will be reviewed and allocated by the CIC Steering Committee and will be shared with investors around the time of the launch.  Where there are existing engagement teams continuing from Phase 1, those teams remain intact with some opportunities to add to them.

Contacts:  Any inquiries can be directed at:

1. Jan Rydzak, Digital Transformation Lead, World Benchmarking Alliance

Email: [email protected]

2. Nicholas Sewe, Engagement Manager, World Benchmarking Alliance

Email: [email protected]

3. Lauren Compere, Managing Director, Boston Common Asset Management

Email: [email protected]

4. Patrick Shortt, Sustainable Investing Graduate Associate, Fidelity International

Email: [email protected]