Preserving human sovereignty and supporting people is our focus. We design digital technologies responsibly.
The aim of responsible technology development should not only be to optimize processes and achieve economic efficiency, but also to improve people's living conditions, expand their scope of action and maintain their autonomy ("human-centered approach").
Deutsche Telekom is one of the world's leading companies in the telecommunications and IT sector. Digital ethics is the key for Deutsche Telekom to systematically implement these human needs in our business. It is our digital responsibility to participate in the discussion about ethics and to promote the development of ethical frameworks for our technologies. Our values and the conscious decision to put people at the center guide our direction in the digital space.
For us, digital ethics means we question our decisions on which the programming of digital technologies is based and derive activities for the future – we always adhere to this when we develop, use or distribute digital technologies. Our goal is to preserve the human dignity, freedom and autonomy of all people in the digital space.
Responsible use of artificial intelligence
This also applies to artificial intelligence. Even before the introduction of the EU AI Act (link to new article), Deutsche Telekom took measures for responsible AI use at an early stage:
- In 2018, we were one of the first companies in the world to introduce AI guidelines on digital ethics, which we have been continuously developing ever since.
- The AI guidelines are on the same level as our Code of Conduct and are integrated into our Supplier Code of Conduct (pdf, 185.0 KB). This ensures high standards throughout the value chain.
- AI and data protection must go hand in hand and are considered together from the outset through the privacy-by-design approach.
- Together with the Group Works Council, we have adopted a manifesto on the use of artificial intelligence. It defines clear standards for the processing of employee data in AI systems. This strengthens our employees’ trust and simultaneously creates optimal conditions for the accelerated development of innovative AI solutions.
- AI governance within the Group is implemented in the co-creation approach by a steering authority, a technical authority and regulatory authority. These interdisciplinary structures enable a rapid response to developments in the field of AI.
- We underline our commitment to the responsible use of AI through voluntary commitments: On September 25, 2024, we joined the EU Commission's AI Pact.
- Our teams of experts in the field of Public & Regulatory Affairs actively monitor legislative developments at EU and national level. Deutsche Telekom is involved in leading industry associations such as BDI, Bitkom, BVDW, the GSMA and CEN CENELEC at the standardization level.
- In addition the *AI*ICARE Check supports employees in dealing with artificial intelligence.
