Reggie Townsend speaking on stage at SAS Innovate

How SAS drives technology innovation ethically & responsibly

Responsible Innovation

As the market leader with the most trusted data and AI platform, SAS is committed to working with customers, partners and academia to increase the awareness of, and need for, AI that is ethical, equitable and sustainable.


Our Core Principles

Access to quality data, at the optimal time, interpreted with compassion, is essential to ethical and human‐centered innovation.

Technology does not exist in a vacuum. It affects us all in unexpected ways. Ethical dilemmas can present tensions that we should strive to navigate in the most productive and least harmful ways. Managing such challenges in a trustworthy manner requires an unwavering set of principles rooted in proven, effective strategies and a focus on AI ethics.

Human Centricity

Promote human well-being, human agency and equity.

Inclusivity

Ensure accessibility and include diverse perspectives and experiences.

Accountability

Proactively identify and mitigate adverse impacts.

Transparency

Openly communicate intended use, risks and how decisions are made.

Robustness

Operate reliably and safely, while managing potential risks throughout a life cycle.

Privacy & Security

Protect the use and application of an individual's data.


Talking Trust

We’re not alone in being responsible innovators. The proof is in the partnership – and this conversation between Microsoft Data & AI Specialist Kirk Hofer and SAS Sr. Data Scientist Allie DeLonay.


How can you help ensure responsible innovation?

Training

SAS Training on Trustworthy AI

Product

SAS® Viya® Platform

Solution

AI Governance and Trustworthy AI

Our Approach

Responsible innovation requires us to ask not only "could we" but also "should we?"

From ideation through development and deployment, our principles are reflected in our people, processes and products. With a collaborative governance approach called the QUAD, we focus on oversight, operations, compliance and culture to anticipate, mitigate and avoid unintentional harm, particularly for the most vulnerable.

Oversight

Ensures that internal and external AI-enabled technologies and processes adhere to data ethics principles. Advises leadership on sales, consulting, product development and procurement opportunities involving AI.

Operations

Absorbs and interprets expectations and demand, then develops AI technologies that align with market viability, SAS portfolio synergy, regulatory compliance and data ethics principles.

Compliance

Monitors, audits and seeks compliance with data ethics principles. Provides organizational checks and balances to identify mitigation needs before AI-related technologies and services are made public.

Culture

Cultivates an ecosystem of creators, contributors and consumers of AI for knowledge sharing, collaboration and the normalization of behaviors and practices aligned with data ethics principles.

Our vision is a world where data empowers people to thrive. We pursue that vision through trustworthy and responsible innovation." Reggie Townsend Vice President of Data Ethics Practice SAS
Our vision is a world where data empowers people to thrive. We pursue that vision through trustworthy and responsible innovation." Reggie Townsend Vice President of Data Ethics Practice SAS

SAS Data Ethics Practice

Our Data Ethics Practice is a guiding hand for our responsible innovation efforts, ensuring our platform, processes and services keep the focus on people with an "ethical by design" approach throughout product development and market strategy. Reggie Townsend leads the Data Ethics Practice. Townsend is also a member of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee that advises the US president and the National AI Initiative Office on a range of issues related to the development and use of AI.


Circle of Trust

Meet the global team behind the SAS “Trustworthy AI Swarm” and see why it takes a 360-degree view of AI development to ensure outcomes that avoid the risk of unintentional harms.


Resources to keep the AI conversations going

Podcast

Pondering AI episode 67: Ethical by Design with Olivia Gambelin

Partnership

Making AI globally inclusive

Blog

Minding humanity in the age of AI

Blog

Understanding AI governance