Data Ethics Decision Aid (DEDA): a dialogical framework for ethical inquiry of AI and data projects in the Netherlands

Aline Franzke, I.M. Muis, M.T. Schaefer

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

This contribution discusses the development of the Data Ethics Decision Aid (DEDA), a framework for reviewing government data projects that considers their social impact, the embedded values and the government’s responsibilities in times of data-driven public management. Drawing from distinct qualitative research approaches, the DEDA framework was developed in an iterative process (2016–2018) and has since then been applied by various Dutch municipalities, the Association of Dutch Municipalities, and the Ministry of General Affairs (NL). We present the DEDA framework as an effective process to moderate case-deliberation and advance the development of responsible data practices. In addition, by thoroughly documenting the deliberation process, the DEDA framework establishes accountability. First, this paper sheds light on the necessity for data ethical case deliberation. Second, it describes the prototypes, the final design of the framework, and its evaluation. After a comparison with other frameworks, and a discussion of the findings, the paper concludes by arguing that the DEDA framework is a useful process for ethical evaluation of data projects for public management and an effective tool for creating awareness of ethical issues in data practices.
Original languageEnglish
Article number3
Pages (from-to)551-567
Number of pages17
JournalEthics and Information Technology
Volume23
Issue number3
Early online date27 Jan 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2021

Keywords

  • Big data
  • Data ethics
  • Data-driven public management
  • Ethical assessment
  • Information ethics
  • IoT
  • Value-sensitive design

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