AI in Business: How People and Technology Come Together
A new research project at Witten/Herdecke University, called DAISY, is investigating how companies can implement artificial intelligence in a way that is both secure and human-centered.
Companies across Germany are currently grappling with the question of whether, where, and which artificial intelligence (AI) solutions they want to implement. While the promises are enticing, implementing AI is far more than just a technical decision: Which system is the right fit for the company? What opportunities and risks does it entail? Who decides how it will be used? How are data protection and IT security ensured? And how can employees be involved from the very beginning?
The new research project DAISY (Data Protection and Employee Interests in AI-as-a-Service Systems) addresses these questions. The focus is on AI applications that companies do not develop themselves but rather purchase as a service. Such “AI-as-a-Service” (AIaaS) systems provide AI models via the cloud, enabling even companies without extensive in-house IT resources to access powerful AI. At the same time, they present new challenges for data protection, IT security, and the use of AI in everyday work.
Who decides on AI use within the company?
At Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H), the focus is primarily on the people who make decisions about the use of AI. Dr. Alina Tausch, associate professor of personnel and organizational psychology, is investigating what happens within a company during the decision-making process leading up to the introduction of a new AI system. Her research focuses, among other things, on executive management and IT decision-makers.
“Whether AI works well in everyday work life—and how secure the handling of data is in that context—is not determined by technology alone. It also depends on how companies select and implement such systems, who is involved in these decisions, and whose interests are taken into account,” says Alina Tausch. “We want to find out how these processes need to be designed so that AI can be used not only efficiently, but also securely, transparently, and in a way that respects human dignity.”
To this end, the project plans to conduct interviews with executive management, works councils, and information security officers, among others. These interviews are intended to reveal how decisions regarding the use of AI in companies are actually made. The findings will be used to develop practical guidance, including recommendations for implementing AI and an interactive online decision tree that guides decision-makers through key choices in the selection and implementation of AI systems.
Further information:
The DAISY project (grant number 16KIS2670) is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) with 1.29 million euros. Of this amount, approximately 360,000 euros will go to Witten/Herdecke University. In addition to UW/H, the Ruhr University Bochum, the University of Duisburg-Essen, and Bochum Economic Development are participating in the collaborative project. The Ruhr University Bochum is responsible for coordination.