A Comprehensive Guide to Stakeholder Analysis in AI Governance (Part 1)

Author(s): Lye Jia Jun

Originally published on Towards AI.

A Comprehensive Guide to Stakeholder Analysis in AI Governance (Part 1)

In the previous edition of The AI Governance Journal, we covered the 12 Core Principles of AI Governance. These principles serve as a compass to guide us through ethical dilemmas.

Have you ever wondered who this compass is meant for?

Effective AI Governance is deeply rooted in People. Central to this is a comprehensive stakeholder analysis — a process that delves into the myriad interests, concerns, and influences of those involved in or affected by AI.

In this two-part series, we embark on a journey to unravel these complex interactions, offering insights on identifying, engaging, and balancing the wide mix of stakeholder interests.

This first part will lay down the foundation and provide an overview of the stakeholder analysis process. Our journey will progress into its application in AI, leading to the identification of pivotal stakeholders in AI Governance.

In Part 2, we’ll delve deeper into analyzing, categorizing, and prioritizing stakeholders in AI Governance, and more.

Without further ado, Let us embark on the first phase of this insightful guide.

Table of Content

Part 1

• Stakeholder Analysis
• What is Stakeholder Analysis?
• Why Stakeholder Analysis?
• How Can We Perform Stakeholder Analysis?
• Applying Stakeholder Analysis to AI Governance
• Identification of Stakeholders

Part 2

• Categorize and Prioritize Stakeholders
• Develop and Implement Engagement Strategies
• Monitor and Adjust
• Actionable Takeaways
• Conclusion

Stakeholder Analysis

What is Stakeholder Analysis?

Stakeholder analysis is a process that involves identifying and analyzing the individuals, groups, or entities that have an interest in a particular project or business activity.

This is the first step in stakeholder management.

Why Stakeholder Analysis?

• Fundamentally, stakeholder analysis plays a pivotal role in ensuring the successful execution and adoption of initiatives.
• It allows organizations to identify, understand, and address the diverse interests, needs, and concerns of various stakeholders, fostering an environment of cooperation, support, and mutual benefit.
• By facilitating enhanced communication and engagement, stakeholder analysis aids in mitigating risks, resolving potential conflicts, and aligning stakeholders’ objectives with the project goals.
• This alignment not only paves the way for smoother implementation but also boosts the project’s credibility and acceptance, driving optimal outcomes and sustainable growth.

U+1F4A1 Fun Fact: The concept of stakeholder theory traces its roots back to R. Edward Freeman — an American philosopher and professor of business administration — in the 1980s when it was initially developed to address morals and values in managing an organization.

How Can We Perform Stakeholder Analysis?

Conducting a stakeholder analysis involves four steps to effectively identify, understand, and manage stakeholders’ expectations and influences.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Identify Stakeholders U+1F4CB:
Start by listing all potential stakeholders, including individuals, groups, or entities affected by or interested in the project.

2. Categorize and Prioritize Stakeholders U+1F3F7️:

• Group stakeholders based on their influence, interest, or impact on the project. Common categories include internal, external, primary, and secondary stakeholders.
• Determine which stakeholders have the most significant impact or influence, and consider tools like power/interest grids or stakeholder maps to visualize this information.

3. Develop and Implement Engagement Strategies U+1F4A1:
Create tailored communication and engagement plans for each stakeholder group to address their specific needs, concerns, and expectations.

4. Monitor and Adjust U+1F504:
Continually monitor stakeholders’ responses and feedback. Adapt engagement strategies as needed to ensure ongoing support and alignment.

U+1F4A1 Consider the following acronym to easily remember this stakeholder analysis process — SCIM:

By following these steps, organizations can effectively manage stakeholders, leading to increased support, reduced risks, and a higher likelihood of success.

Applying Stakeholder Analysis to AI Governance

1. Identification of Stakeholders

Start by listing all potential stakeholders, including individuals, groups, or entities affected by or interested in the project.

There are 9 key stakeholders surrounding AI Governance, belonging to 4 distinct groups.

Group 1: Regulatory and Standard-Setting Entities:

• Governments/Regulatory Bodies: Governments and regulatory agencies are responsible for establishing and enforcing rules and regulations, ensuring the ethical and safe development and application of AI technologies within their jurisdictions.
  (Examples include the US Government, the Singapore Government, etc.)
• International Bodies: These organizations promote cross-border cooperation and standardization, addressing global challenges and opportunities associated with AI technologies and ensuring consistent international standards.
  (Examples include the UNESCO, European Union, etc.)
• Other Industry Associations and Professional Bodies: These groups set professional standards, ethical guidelines, and best practices for the AI industry, acting as intermediaries between technology innovators and regulatory bodies.
  (Examples include the IEEE, Singapore Computer Society, etc.)

Group 2: AI Development and Application Entities:

• Corporations: These are the businesses and companies that develop, deploy, and utilize AI technologies, navigating the regulatory and ethical landscape to bring innovative AI products and services to the market.
• AI Engineers: These professionals are at the forefront of designing, creating, and refining AI technologies. Their technical and ethical choices significantly influence the AI landscape.
• Research and Academic Institutions: These institutions are sources of foundational and applied AI research, innovation, and insights into the capabilities and broader implications of AI technologies.

Group 3: Primary Financial Stakeholders:

• Investors: Individuals or groups who provide financial resources to AI initiatives and companies. They are keenly interested in the success, ethical deployment, and regulatory compliance of AI technologies to ensure a return on investment.

U+1F4A1 Did You Know? Since 2014, funding for AI tech startups has surged, reaching a whopping $38 billion in 2021 alone. (Source: Statista Market Report)

Group 4: Ethical and Societal Impact Advisers:

• Ethicists and Philosophers: They explore the ethical and moral implications of AI technologies and advise on navigating complex ethical issues to promote responsible AI development and application.
• End-Users: This group comprises individuals or entities using or affected by AI technologies in their daily lives or operations, providing essential insights into the real-world impacts, ethics, and effectiveness of AI applications.

Anticipating the Next Phase: Dive Deeper in Part 2 of ‘A Comprehensive Guide to Stakeholder Analysis in AI Governance’

We’ve now delved into the very essence of stakeholder analysis, starting from its definition, its importance, its methodologies, and how it intertwines with AI governance.

However, as we’ve started identifying the stakeholders, the next steps are crucial in shaping our approach to AI governance. What strategies do we implement? How do we adjust and monitor stakeholder relationships effectively?

All these pivotal topics, from analyzing and categorizing stakeholders to developing precise engagement strategies and monitoring adjustments, will be the core of our upcoming segment.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this guide, where we’ll not only delve into these essential facets but also wrap up our discussion with a comprehensive conclusion with practical Actionable Takeaways.

The journey into AI governance and stakeholder analysis is vast, and the insights that await in the next part are indispensable. Keep an eye out!

Acknowledgement & References

• OECD AI Principles
• Forbes: “What Is A Stakeholder Analysis? Everything You Need To Know”
• UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
• Funding of AI Tech Startup, Statista 2021

Thank you for journeying with me through my introduction to “The AI Governance Journal”. As we delve deeper into the realms of AI governance, I invite you to join the conversation, challenge the status quo, and champion responsible AI. For a holistic understanding, follow me for more insightful AI Governance pieces. Stay curious and stay informed.

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Published via Towards AI