Ethical AI in the workplace: ensuring fairness and transparency

Abstract

This study investigates how transparency, fairness, and employee participation influence the ethical use and development of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, with a focus on knowledge workers in Finland. Drawing on a survey of 474 respondents, the research explores how these ethical principles contribute to employee engagement and the development of digital and developer agency. The study employs confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis to validate a four-factor model comprising sense of fairness, transparency and involvement, participation and engagement, and development of digital and developer agency. The results show that transparency and fairness significantly enhance employee participation and engagement, which in turn fosters the development of digital and developer agency. The findings highlight the importance of inclusive and transparent AI practices in promoting ethical AI adoption and strengthening professional agency in evolving work environments. The study contributes to the growing body of research on responsible AI by offering empirical evidence on the social and organisational dimensions of AI ethics.