AI Ethical Policy
Contents
1. Introduction
At Clock, we believe that AI should ultimately benefit all humans, and not disadvantage or replace them. Our AI policies govern how and when we use AI:
•for our Clients
•for their Customers
•for our People
•for the Planet
Whenever we adopt a new AI-powered technology we first consider the risks and implications for these groups. We align our approach with recognised global standards* and welcome dialogue with anyone affected by (or interested in) our use of these technologies. It’s essential that we review and revise this policy regularly, to ensure it remains relevant and effective in a rapidly evolving landscape.
*including the EU AI Act, UK ICO AI guidance, and OECD AI Principles
2. Our Clients
•Transparency
Whether we’re creating something for you, or using AI in that creation process, we will always let you know what AI systems are implemented, how they work, and how they make decisions.
•Accountability
We take full responsibility for the outcomes of our AI systems, ensuring accountability and human oversight on all AI-assisted decisions that materially impact our partners.
•Shared Benefits
Any efficiencies, cost reductions, or quality improvements we gain from using AI will benefit both Clock and its partners.
•Shared Values
We work only with partners who share our commitment to ethical AI practices.
3. Your Customers
•Privacy & Consent
We prioritise data privacy and ensure that personal data is handled responsibly, whether or not we are utilising AI to gather, store, or process it. Where AI interacts directly with end users, we seek explicit or implicit consent as appropriate.
•Fairness & Non-Bias
We strive to eliminate bias in AI systems, ensuring they operate fairly and inclusively for all users.
•Honesty
We won’t design or implement an AI system that hides its nature, or seeks to fool people into thinking it’s a human.
•Explainability
We aim to ensure that AI outputs are explainable in plain language for users affected by them.
•Safety, Security & Accessibility
We implement robust measures to ensure AI systems are secure, do not pose safety risks, and remain accessible to users with diverse needs and abilities.
4. Our People
•Responsible AI Usage
Our use of AI must always be fair, transparent, and accountable. We involve our team in discussions about AI implementation, empowering them to question, challenge, and improve how we deploy these tools.
•Continuous Learning & Development
AI will be part of our future – whether we like it or not. It is essential that our team grow alongside technological advancements, so we provide continuous training, upskilling, and support.
•AI Will Not Replace You
AI is meant to assist and augment employees’ work – not replace them. While team structure and composition may evolve over time, no current employee will be replaced by an AI.
•Wellbeing & Support
We provide resources for mental wellbeing to ensure our team feel valued and supported as we embrace AI.
5. The Planet
We recognise that AI systems, particularly large-scale models, can carry significant environmental costs due to their energy consumption and computational demands. At Clock, we are committed to minimising these impacts by:
•Efficient AI Usage
Prioritising the use of smaller, task-specific models where possible, rather than defaulting to large general models, to reduce energy consumption without compromising performance.
•Cloud Provider Sustainability
Selecting cloud service providers with strong sustainability credentials, such as commitments to renewable energy, carbon neutrality, and transparent reporting of data centre energy usage.
•Optimised Development Practices
Employing code optimisation, model pruning, and efficient algorithm design to reduce compute time and energy use across our AI solutions.
•Continuous Monitoring & Improvement
Regularly reviewing the environmental footprint of our AI deployments and seeking emerging techniques and partners that enable greener, lower-energy AI solutions.