How can we use AI ethically at DCC?

Generative AI and Machine Learning is already transforming how most people in tech work, and we expect the use of AI will become more common in social justice movements too. That’s why we’ve felt the need to explore what an ethical approach to AI looks like for us at the Digital Commons Cooperative, both within our products and in how we use it as workers.

We’ve created a set of DCC AI ethical guidelines– not as final answers, but as a way to collectivise our thinking. They cover things like minimising environmental impact, protecting user safety, and being open about AI’s risks and limitations. They are inspired by work in this area by other social justice and civic tech organisations, including Friends of the Earth and mySociety.

This is a working document, which will be shaped by ongoing conversations within our team and with other social justice organisations. AI brings opportunities, but also the harmful centralisation of power, bias, environmental costs, and risks of misuse. We want to navigate these tensions openly and learn together. If you have experiences or ideas to share, we’d love to hear from you!