Overview
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a foundational technology across sectors. For cooperatives, AI offers powerful tools to improve operations, member services, and decision-making—but it also raises important ethical, governance, and member control considerations.
This best practice outlines how to develop and implement a responsible, values-aligned AI policy for your cooperative.
Core Tactics:
- Define why AI matters to your cooperative.
Start with member-driven objectives, such as:- Enhancing member engagement through personalized communications
- Streamlining internal processes to save staff time
- Supporting data-driven decision-making
- Improving access to services (e.g., chatbots, dynamic FAQs)
- Develop guiding AI principles.
Cooperative AI principles might include:- Transparency: Members should understand when and how AI is being used.
- Control: AI should support member agency, not replace human judgment.
- Fairness: AI must avoid reinforcing bias or inequities.
- Privacy: Member data must be protected, with clear opt-in and opt-out rights.
- Alignment with Cooperative Values: AI must serve people, not profit motives.
Define clear use cases—and limits.
| AI Use Case | Acceptable? |
Notes |
| Automated Customer Service Responses | Yes | As long as escalation to a human is always an option |
| Predictive Member Engagement Scoring | Yes | If member consent is obtained and data is anonymized |
| Automated Board Voting Decisions | No | Decision-making must remain human-led |
| Dynamic FAQs Based on Member Queries | Yes | Enhances service accessibility |
- Establish accountability structures.
- Assign AI governance responsibility (e.g., a tech and ethics subcommittee of the board).
- Require regular review of AI systems for fairness, accuracy, and alignment with cooperative values.
- Allow members to request information on AI tools impacting them.
- Prioritize member education.
Help members understand:- How AI is being used
- What choices they have
- How AI supports (not replaces) human interactions
- How to opt out of AI-powered services if desired
- Leverage Principle 6 AI Resources.
Co-ops can access templates, ethics guides, and vetted AI tools through the Principle 6 platform, ensuring their AI usage remains aligned with cooperative best practices.