Towards a deliberative framework for responsible innovation in artificial intelligence

The rapid innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) is raising concerns regarding human autonomy, agency, fairness, and justice. While responsible stewardship of innovation calls for public engagement, inclusiveness, and informed discourse, AI seemingly challenges such informed discourse by way of its opacity (poor transparency, explainability, and accountability). We apply a deliberative approach to propose a framework for responsible innovation in AI. This framework foregrounds discourse principles geared to help offset these opacity challenges. To support better public governance, we consider the mutual roles and dependencies of organizations that develop and apply AI, as well as civil society actors, and investigative media in exploring pathways for responsible AI innovation. •Discussion of how AI challenges informed public discourse by way of its poor transparency, explainability, and accountability.•Proposition of a deliberative framework for responsible innovation in AI to offset these challenges.•Specification of roles of AI developers, civil society actors, and investigative media in deliberation for responsible AI innovation.