AIQ: What Data Organization & Ethics Means for You

Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash

Synaptiq has spent the last decade studying data strategy and AI readiness across sectors and industries. We’ve consulted with clients, conferred with partners, collaborated with competitors, and conducted research to understand how and why organizations fail or succeed in their data and AI endeavors.

We channeled our expertise into AIQ: an innovative framework for AI-ready data strategy and AI implementation, focusing on 11 critical capabilities proven to effectively enhance workflow integration and return on investment.

In this blog post, we'll explore in detail one of these 11 capabilities: Data Organization & Ethics For a broader understanding of AIQ, refer to our blog post titled "AIQ: What We Mean & What You Stand to Gain."

Data Organization & Ethics

Data Organization & Ethics is the bedrock for the other ten AIQ capabilities.  It consists of everything in an organization that helps ensure data “flow” is organized to promote efficiency and prevent harm. This might include budget, formal structure, roles, systems, and processes, including training programs to educate all employees on the importance of data and, importantly, internal expectations for ethical data handling.

Data Organization & Ethics Done Right

Data Organization & Ethics requires at least one leader (preferably a c-level executive) with a clear vision for their organization’s data use. They should understand the ethical implications of data-powered applications and processes—and intentionally, frequently share their knowledge with other leaders. This communication ensures that an organization’s data use is anchored by good intentions with leadership support.

Data Organization & Ethics also demands that leadership define and apply its expectations for responsible, ethical data use in the form of budget, formal structure, roles, systems processes, etc. This ensures that all members of an organization are aware of the expectations and capable of carrying them out. Data Organization & Ethics-oriented performance management (e.g., in the form of training programs) is perhaps the most powerful tool for an organization to ensure that communication extends from leadership to team members.  This communication ensures that Data Organization & Ethics becomes “company culture.”

Why Data Organization & Ethics Matters

Data Organization & Ethics ensure (i) that an organization’s leaders have a vision for responsible, ethical data use and (ii) that this vision is communicated between leaders and, ultimately, throughout every level of the organization. Given the impact of data-powered applications and processes, organizations must understand the implications of their decision-making and implement strong ethics from the ground up.

With no Data Organization & Ethics, there is a tremendous amount of inefficiency and risk in a business. You can learn how Data Organization & Ethics fits into AIQ™ by reading our blog. Or, take our AIQ assessment to determine where your organization stands for each of the 11 capabilities.

About Synaptiq

Synaptiq is an AI and data science consultancy based in Portland, Oregon. We collaborate with our clients to develop human-centered products and solutions. We uphold a strong commitment to ethics and innovation. 

Contact us if you have a problem to solve, a process to refine, or a question to ask.

You can learn more about our story through our past projects, blog, or podcast.