Responsible Business in an AI World
Responsible Business in an AI World
Artificial intelligence is transforming how we work, decide, and lead. Sponsored by Deloitte and Verizon, this framework helps businesses use AI responsibly, protecting people, strengthening trust, and supporting inclusive, sustainable growth.
Why responsible AI matters now
AI is becoming embedded across workplaces, from customer service and operations to decision-making and workforce management. When used well, it can unlock innovation and accelerate progress towards inclusive and sustainable outcomes. When deployed without care, it risks deepening inequality, eroding trust and widening the digital divide.
Responsible AI is no longer just a technical issue. It is a leadership challenge and a strategic business imperative.
75%
of ceos say adapting to new tech like AI is one of their biggest challenges
44%
of the public want to better understand AI regulation
33%+
say the ethics of artificial intelligence matters to them
Businesses have a vital role to play in shaping how AI impacts people, work and society. This framework is designed to help guide the vital decisions businesses must make regarding AI use.
Why Business in the Community created this framework
Business in the Community (BITC) recognises both the opportunity and responsibility AI presents for business leaders. We see AI as a powerful enabler and a defining test of responsible business leadership.
That’s why BITC worked with companies, government, academia and civil society to co-create the UK’s first Responsible AI Framework. Developed through BITC’s Responsible AI Labs in 2025, the framework builds on our long-standing role supporting businesses to navigate change in a way that is fair, transparent and purpose-led.
If you share my vision for a future where we use AI to address significant challenges while continually striving to enhance human lives, this paper offers a crucial starting point. It outlines clear, simple actions that every business can adopt to realise an AI future grounded in responsibility, ethics, and trust.
Daniel Evans, Associate Director, Verizon Business
How the framework works
This framework is designed to be practical, flexible and accessible to businesses of all sizes and sectors. It sets out:
Businesses should start with strong governance, then focus on the areas where AI has the greatest impact on their people, operations, and value chain. Under each area, the framework supports organisations at various maturity levels.
This image depicts the Responsible AI framework, centred around foundational guidance covering AI and ethics, governance & strategy, with interconnected deep dives into key responsible business areas: AI and employment and skills, AI & the environment, AI and diversity & inclusion, and AI and health & wellbeing.
The maturity levels
For each of the guidance areas, we share insights from the AI Labs hosted by Business in the Community, including examples of risks and opportunities and actions for businesses based on four levels of maturity: adopting, embedding, leading and transforming. Where possible, each guidance area also provides a range of case studies for the different maturity levels to inspire ideas and help businesses take action.
Adopting
Putting basic safeguards in place
Embedding
Integrating responsible ai into everyday practice
Leading
using Ai Responsibly at scale and influencing others
Transforming
Shaping Systems, Standards and Future Practice
Explore the framework
From the findings of the labs, we believe there is a set of actions that all businesses should focus on, which we have determined as foundational guidance on the topic of AI and Ethics, Governance & Strategy. This should be your starting point.
To guide further action, the framework then reviews and advises on how businesses can address the risks and opportunities AI presents across four additional responsible business deep dive guidance areas, which are all interconnected and supported by the foundational guidance.
Whilst each AI deep dive insight area is of equal importance, we understand that businesses may want to engage with each one as and when it is relevant to their operations. We recommend beginning with the foundational guidance and then pivoting to the deep dive guidance area most relevant to your organisation for further learning.
AI and Ethics, Governance & Strategy
Building trust through transparent and ethical governance of artificial intelligence.
AI and Employment & Skills
Building AI literacy, confidence and leadership capability to support fair workforce transitions.
AI and Diversity & Inclusion
Preventing bias, widening access and ensuring AI supports inclusive workplaces.
AI and Health & Wellbeing
Protecting autonomy, setting healthy digital boundaries and supporting mental wellbeing.
AI and the Environment
Reducing AI’s environmental footprint while using the technology to support climate and nature goals.
Download the full Responsible AI framework
Download the full Responsible AI framework to access a practical, end-to-end framework for building, deploying, and governing AI systems you can trust. Simple in its design, the framework lays out a set of core actions on AI and ethics, governance, and strategy that all responsible businesses should take, and is complemented by four further deep dives that responsible businesses should consider based on BITC’s interconnected responsible business areas. You can explore the entire framework online or download the complete PDF to share with your team, use in workshops, and reference anytime offline.
Thank you to our sponsors and contributors
We would like to thank Deloitte and Verizon for sponsoring the Responsible AI framework. We are also grateful to the following organisations, members and academic partners for their generous contributions, insights and expertise, which have meaningfully shaped the development of this framework:
Business in the Community members
Academic experts
Other organisations
AI is one of the defining influences of our time, reshaping how we live, work, and make decisions. The future of business will increasingly be built on trust, and great businesses will be human centred and insight- led. Ethical AI isn’t just about compliance or adding more technology, it’s smart business. It mitigates risk, protects human rights and ensure that the benefits of innovation and technological development are shared widely across society, to drive sustainable growth. Businesses that prioritise this will lead with purpose and profit.
Lucy Nutt, Senior Environment and Community impact Manager, Culture & Brand, Grant Thornton
Not a Business in the Community member? Join us.
Be part of the movement and tap into the knowledge of our responsible business network. Join Business in the Community to help your organisation grow and to collectively build a responsible, sustainable future.
Responsible AI frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The Responsible AI Framework is BITC’s practical guidance to help businesses use artificial intelligence in ways that protect people, build trust and support inclusive, sustainable growth. It sets out core actions all businesses should take, alongside additional guidance based on where AI has the greatest impact.
The framework is designed for businesses of all sizes and sectors. It is particularly relevant for senior leaders, responsible business teams, HR and people leaders, and those responsible for digital, data, technology and risk.
All businesses should start with the core guidance on AI ethics, governance and strategy. From there, organisations should focus on the additional issue areas that are most material to their people, operations and value chain.
The maturity levels — Adopting, Embedding, Leading and Transforming — help organisations understand where they are now and identify practical next steps for strengthening responsible AI practice over time.
No. The framework is guidance, not a checklist, certification or legal standard. It is designed to support leadership decision-making, learning and action rather than to assess or rank organisations.