Earning Digital Trust: Decision-Making for Trustworthy Technologies

Failures related to digital technologies (such as artificial intelligence, the security of personal information, and algorithmic predictions) have eroded societal confidence at an unprecedented scale and rate and are contributing to broad and growing mistrust in science and technology. This insight paper from the World Economic Forum can help you to make better, more trustworthy decisions regarding technology. It defines "digital trust" globally and introduces a "digital trust framework" to guide decision-making. The framework defines shared goals or values that inform the concept of digital trust, including security and reliability; accountability and oversight; and inclusive, ethical, and responsible use. The framework further defines eight dimensions against which the trustworthiness of digital technologies can be operationalised and evaluated: cybersecurity, safety, transparency, interoperability, auditability, redressability, fairness, and privacy. This paper also lays out a four-step digital trust roadmap that can help guide and align decision-making with societal expectations.