A Project Management Framework for Responsible Innovation
PEER REVIEWED PAPER
By Rishiraj Kohli
Ph.D. Candidate, Information Technology (Artificial Intelligence)
University of the Cumberlands, USA
Abstract
While the widespread acceptance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers significant benefits, it also carries considerable ethical risk. Most governance approaches are currently grounded in principles, e.g., EU AI Act, OECD Principles, and IEEE standards, but there are limited practical tools to use after the ethics “principles” and potentially respond in the project management context. This paper proposes a project-management–based solution to address ethical risk in AI projects, it develops an ethical risk management framework comprising structured and operational steps to embed responsible innovation in the life of a project. The framework includes an Ethical Risk Score (ERS) system, process for involving stakeholder perspectives, and links well with the leading international guidelines emerging internationally. The framework was validated with expert input and demonstrated though a comparison to established governance frameworks with strength in applicability and operational clarity. Integration of ethical consideration has been shown through this work, that project structures can be a bridge between principle and practice in ethical governance strategies in AI projects. Future work will progress the framework proposed in this paper to the piloting stage to assess scaling and adaptability in a number of domains. This research helps advance the field toward implementation and metrics to enable accountable, trustworthy AI solutions. The study contributed valuable proposals to both research agendas in information systems and the emerging body or research in technology governance.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Ethical Risks; AI Governance; Trustworthy AI; Technology Ethics; Responsible Innovation Framework; Project Management; AI Risk Management; Ethical AI
- Introduction
One of the 21st century’s most important technologies is rapidly becoming artificial intelligence (AI). It has already affected a wide range of sectors, including government, education, manufacturing, banking, and healthcare. AI is acknowledged for its capacity to boost productivity, make better decisions, and improve forecasting precision. However, there are growing worries about its moral ramifications.
The European Union’s AI Act, the OECD AI Principles, and other ethics guidelines created by research and academic organizations are only a few of the international initiatives being taken to address these problems. However, stakeholders and organizations are left with little ethical advice for AI applications because these texts are still largely in the development stage.
Project management, which focuses on structured planning, execution, monitoring, and risk management, is a valuable but not very well-known way to add ethics to AI projects. PMI’s PMBOK, PRINCE2, and Agile frameworks are examples of established methodologies that already have ways to find and reduce risks. The study focuses on three primary objectives: (i) to delineate the principal ethical risks linked to AI; (ii) to incorporate these risks into the phases of project management; and (iii) to suggest a framework for project managers to facilitate responsible innovation.
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How to cite this paper: Kohli, R. (2025). Managing Ethical Risks in Artificial Intelligence: A Project Management Framework for Responsible Innovation; PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue X, October. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/pmwj157-Oct2025-Kohli-Managing-Ethical-Risks-in-Artificial-Intelligence.pdf
About the Author
Rishiraj Kohli
USA
Rishiraj Kohli is a Senior IT Project Manager at Schwarz Partners and a Ph.D. candidate in Information Technology with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence at the University of the Cumberlands (expected 2027). He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). With extensive experience leading enterprise AI, digital transformation, and compliance-driven initiatives in insurance, logistics, and healthcare, he specializes in bridging governance, risk management, and innovation. His work focuses on making AI adoption accessible and responsible for non-technical professionals while ensuring regulatory alignment. He can be contacted at rkohli5848@ucumberlands.edu or rishirajkohli@gmail.com
