Toshiba AI Governance Statement

Toshiba AI Governance Statement

    Toshiba has long positioned “Committed to People, Committed to the Future.” as the guiding principle that shapes our behavior and culture. It is the expression of our unwavering determination to contribute to society’s development through our business activities. 
    To date, Toshiba has built a long history in AI research and development, starting from creating the world’s first optical character recognition (OCR) mail sorting machine in 1967. Toshiba now boasts technological prowess in AI that can be deployed widely in media recognition, data analysis, and a variety of other fields. This is in addition to the ability to apply such AI technologies in the industrial field based on its track record and expertise in manufacturing and service. Aspiring the society where personal data can be bound with security, Toshiba is actively utilizing digital data and consolidating these AI-related strengths to realize:
    A planet that’s safer and cleaner.
    A society that’s both sustainable and dynamic.
    A life as comfortable as it is exciting. 

To make this vision of the future a reality, we establish the Toshiba AI Governance Statement. Toshiba recognizes its responsibility to society and the planet, and will concentrate its creativity and technological capabilities on resolving social issues, upholding the venture spirit that has been passed down for generations. 

Do the right thing

1. Respect for human dignity
In the course of our daily activities, Toshiba strives to realize a human-centric society where humans and AI can live in true harmony, working on the research, development, provision and operation of AI with respect for human dignity.

2. Ensuring safety and security
Toshiba takes privacy and security very seriously as it strives to research, develop, provide and operate AI. We put ourselves in our customers’ shoes as we continually work to maintain and improve AI quality in the aim of realizing a safe and secure society.

3. Commitment to compliance
Toshiba researches, develops, provides and operates AI while placing the utmost importance on strictly adhering to laws and regulations, societal norms, and ethics.

Look for a better way

4. Developing AI and cultivating talent
Bringing together the creativity and technological abilities it has cultivated since its establishment, Toshiba continues to advance AI while continually striving to find new and better ways. We will also work to train human resources that can research, develop, and use AI that contribute to resolving social issues for a more prosperous future, while fully understanding the advantages and disadvantages of AI.

Always consider the impact

5. Realizing a sustainable society
Always thinking about how what we do will change the world for the better and looking to the future beyond the generations to come, Toshiba will contribute to developing a sustainable society that can successfully tackle issues such as global environmental problems and climate change where people with diverse backgrounds can pursue their well-being by researching, developing, providing and operating AI.

Create together

6. Emphasis on fairness
Respecting human rights, Toshiba will work to research, develop, provide and operate AI with consideration given to fairness to avoid unjustified discrimination. We will also work in partnership with our stakeholders to create abundantly diverse value using this AI.

7. Emphasis on transparency and accountability
Toshiba aims to secure transparency so that it is able to explain to its stakeholders the mechanisms behind the AI decisions used in its products and services. We will also work to fulfil accountability through repeated dialogue with stakeholders about the diverse benefits and effects that can be expected when using AI in society.

Do the right thing

1.Respect for human dignity
In the course of our daily activities, Toshiba strives to realize a human-centric society where humans and AI can live in true harmony, working on the research, development, provision and operation of AI with respect for human dignity.

2.Ensuring safety and security
Toshiba takes privacy and security very seriously as it strives to research, develop, provide and operate AI. We put ourselves in our customers’ shoes as we continually work to maintain and improve AI quality in the aim of realizing a safe and secure society.

3.Commitment to compliance
Toshiba researches, develops, provides and operates AI while placing the utmost importance on strictly adhering to laws and regulations, societal norms, and ethics.

Look for a better way

4.Developing AI and cultivating talent
Bringing together the creativity and technological abilities it has cultivated since its establishment, Toshiba continues to advance AI while continually striving to find new and better ways. We will also work to train human resources that can research, develop, and use AI that contribute to resolving social issues for a more prosperous future, while fully understanding the advantages and disadvantages of AI.

Always consider the impact

5.Realizing a sustainable society
Always thinking about how what we do will change the world for the better and looking to the future beyond the generations to come, Toshiba will contribute to developing a sustainable society that can successfully tackle issues such as global environmental problems and climate change where people with diverse backgrounds can pursue their well-being by researching, developing, providing and operating AI.

Create together

6.Emphasis on fairness
Respecting human rights, Toshiba will work to research, develop, provide and operate AI with consideration given to fairness to avoid unjustified discrimination. We will also work in partnership with our stakeholders to create abundantly diverse value using this AI.

7.Emphasis on transparency and accountability
Toshiba aims to secure transparency so that it is able to explain to its stakeholders the mechanisms behind the AI decisions used in its products and services. We will also work to fulfil accountability through repeated dialogue with stakeholders about the diverse benefits and effects that can be expected when using AI in society.

Date of publication
August 30, 2022

Toshiba will continually review and improve this statement.

  • The Essence of Toshiba specifies “Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group” as “Committed to People, Committed to the Future,” and “Our Values” as “Do the right thing,” “Look for a better way,” “Always consider the impact,” and “Create together.”
    More details can be found here:
    https://www.global.toshiba/ww/outline/corporate/philosophy.html