Ethical Considerations and Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Data Practice: A Framework for Trust and Accountability

The growing use of Artificial Intelligence across industries is transforming how organizations operate while raising important ethical concerns. This paper explores key issues such as bias, fairness, transparency, and privacy, emphasizing the need for responsible frameworks that connect technology with human values. Drawing from global and Nigerian contexts, including UNESCO’s AI ethics principles and Nigeria’s Data Protection Act, the study reviews existing frameworks and analyzes professional experiences to identify best practices in ethical AI adoption. It discusses strategies such as human-centered design, regular auditing, and cross-sector collaboration to support fairness and accountability. The findings indicate that leadership commitment, respect for privacy, and robust governance are crucial for fostering public trust in AI. The paper concludes that responsible and ethical use of AI is not only necessary for fairness and equity but also for ensuring the long-term success and acceptance of AI systems. It also provided recommendations for further research.