Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used by organisations across many sectors, including civil society organisations (CSOs), for research, communications, and data processing. AI tools offer significant opportunities to improve efficiency, support large-scale data analysis, and enhance the impact of research and advocacy work, but are not without risks.
Omega Research Foundation (Omega) conducts research on the global manufacture and trade of law enforcement, military, and security equipment, and the use of such weapons to commit human rights violations including torture and other ill-treatment. This work often involves the collection, processing, and analysis of large amounts of information, meaning that AI tools may be able to provide valuable support in certain areas of our work. At the same time, the use of AI brings with it a range of risks related to accuracy, security, as well as broader ethical and environmental concerns which require careful consideration. As Omega begins to adopt and integrate AI into our research, it is important that its use is guided by clear principles that safeguard the integrity and credibility of our work and align with the organisation’s core values and ethical principles.
We have developed this policy to ensure that any use of AI supports our mission without jeopardising our high standards of research integrity, security, and accountability. The policy is structured around six core principles: Oversight and Control; Privacy and Security; Transparency and Accountability; Due Diligence; Inclusion and Non-Discrimination; and Responsible Use.
Principles for the Use of Artificial Intelligence
Oversight and Control: AI systems can sometimes generate plausible but inaccurate information, misattribute information, rely on disinformation, or provide incomplete analysis, particularly when dealing with complex or partial information. For these reasons, Omega will always maintain meaningful human oversight over all uses of AI. AI tools may assist researchers in carrying out certain tasks, but ultimate responsibility for decisions, analysis, and published outputs will always remain with Omega staff. AI tools will be used to enrich, not replace, human expertise and will always remain subject to human supervision.
Privacy and Security: Omega’s research often involves handling sensitive or confidential information. However, the privacy and security of information shared with AI tools cannot be guaranteed. As such, Omega will never share confidential or sensitive information with AI systems, and the selection and use of such tools will always take account of our data protection obligations as well as broader privacy and security considerations.
Transparency and Accountability: Where AI tools have been used to support aspects of our work, Omega will always ensure that their use is appropriately communicated. Maintaining transparency about the use of AI helps safeguard the credibility of our work and the confidence of our partners and audiences.
Due Diligence: Not all AI systems operate in ways that align with Omega’s values or ethical standards. Omega will undertake appropriate due diligence when selecting and using AI tools. This includes considering the business practices of technology providers, as well as the broader ethical and environmental implications of selecting particular tools.
Inclusion and Non-Discrimination: As an organisation committed to human rights and equality, Omega recognises that AI systems can reproduce or amplify biases present in training data, including racial, gender, linguistic, geographic, political, and socio-economic bias. These biases may influence how information is summarised, classified, or interpreted by AI. As such, AI-generated outputs will always be approached critically, with due attention given to potential bias.
Responsible Use: Omega recognises that, while AI can be useful, its unrestricted use also raises broader ethical and environmental concerns, including high energy use and carbon emissions, data exploitation, and the potential displacement or devaluation of human knowledge and creativity. As such, Omega always carefully evaluates our use of AI to ensure that it is genuinely necessary, proportionate, and beneficial to our mission. Where possible, Omega will continue to rely on human expertise and creativity. AI should complement human intelligence, not replace it.
AI will likely play an increasingly prominent role in research and advocacy work. When used responsibly, it can support organisations like Omega to increase our impact, achieve our objectives, and explore new ways of working.
By grounding our use of AI in the principles set out above, Omega seeks to ensure that these technologies will help us to pursue our mission while maintaining the integrity, credibility, and ethical standards that have always underpinned our work.