As AI becomes ever more important within business, Henry Akinlude MA MBA LLM FBCS FCMI considers the role business analysts can play in supporting ethical practice.
As artificial intelligence becomes central to modern business, the role of the business analyst extends beyond mapping processes and gathering requirements. Analysts now have a responsibility to ensure that AI systems operate in line with human values and ethical standards. Embracing ethics and human-centric design is crucial for securing trust, adoption, and regulatory compliance.
Business analysts must, then, approach each project with a mindset that combines technical understanding, stakeholder empathy, and ethical foresight.
Ethical considerations must be integrated from the outset of AI projects. Business analysts can, for example, embed these values when defining project requirements by questioning whether systems could produce unfair outcomes and whether all affected stakeholders have been considered. Highlighting potential ethical risks alongside functional goals ensures that these issues are addressed throughout the lifecycle rather than treated as an afterthought.
Artificial intelligence
BAs should also consider the populations impacted by AI decisions, particularly vulnerable groups, and – ideally – involve them in consultations. Such engagement helps to uncover blind spots and promotes fairness and inclusivity during model development and deployment. By anticipating the social and operational impact of AI, BAs can help to prevent unintended consequences and maintain organisational credibility.
Understanding the data that drives AI is a central responsibility. To help achieve this, BAs may, for example, work closely with data scientists to verify that datasets are representative, accurate, and free from historical bias. Identifying risks early allows teams to implement adjustments, such as balancing datasets or applying fairness constraints, reducing the likelihood of discriminatory outcomes.
Data specialists can also evaluate how models respond to changing conditions and new data, ensuring that the system remains reliable over time. This proactive approach strengthens the resilience of AI solutions and builds confidence among stakeholders.
Clarity from complexity
Business analysts could also consider translating complex AI outputs into clear narratives for non-technical stakeholders. Creating structured documentation that clearly explains decision logic, assumptions, and limitations fosters trust among clients, employees, and regulators. Explaining results through visualisations and plain-language summaries reduces misunderstandings and ensures human oversight remains effective. This level of transparency also supports audit readiness, enabling organisations to demonstrate accountability under GDPR, ISO AI standards, and the EU AI Act.
Beyond project delivery, BAs can contribute to fostering an ethical organisational culture. They could, for example, facilitate training sessions and workshops that demystify AI, making stakeholders aware of ethical risks and mitigation strategies.
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Ethics and workflows
BAs can encourage active participation from all levels of the organisation, promoting a shared understanding of ethical AI principles. In addition, BAs can collaborate across functions, coordinating with legal, compliance, operations, and technical teams to translate ethical principles into practical actions. By integrating ethics into daily decision-making and workflows, BAs can help to normalise responsible practices across the enterprise.
Post-deployment monitoring is equally important. BAs can help establish metrics for fairness, accuracy, and ethical performance, ensuring that any drift or emerging biases can be detected and addressed promptly. Monitoring allows organisations to respond proactively to challenges rather than reacting to failures after they occur.
Human-centric AI is ultimately a balance between technological efficiency and human judgment. While AI can process large datasets rapidly, BAs can ensure that decisions incorporate context, empathy, and ethical oversight to provide informed and responsible outcomes. By positioning AI as a decision-support tool rather than an autonomous agent, analysts maintain trust, reduce operational risk, and uphold societal values. They guide the responsible integration of AI into business processes, ensuring that automation complements rather than replaces human insight.
Looking ahead, business analysts are likely to take on the role of ethical stewards within organisations. As AI governance matures, companies that prioritise human-centric design will not only meet regulatory obligations but also gain a competitive advantage through transparency and stakeholder confidence. BAs who champion ethics, explainability, and inclusive practices will help ensure that AI innovation enhances human potential rather than undermines it.
About the author
Henry Akinlude MA MBA LLM FBCS FCMI is a Fellow and a Fellowship Assessor with BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
