What is an ethical data assessment?

An ethical data assessment evaluates how an organisation collects, processes and uses data and AI against both ethical frameworks and regulatory requirements (GDPR, EU AI Act). It identifies risks, gaps and opportunities, and produces a prioritised findings report that becomes the foundation for governance work.

What does a DEO (Data Ethics Officer) as a Service include?

DEO as a Service gives your organisation fractional access to a certified data ethics expert: monthly ethics review sessions, policy maintenance, regulatory change monitoring, on-call advisory for incidents, board and leadership reporting, and committee supervision. All without the cost of a full-time hire.

How long does an EU AI Act readiness assessment take?

Most readiness assessments run 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the number of AI systems in scope and the maturity of your existing documentation. Output is a classification of each system against the EU AI Act risk tiers, a gap analysis, and a phased remediation plan.

Do you only work with large organisations?

No. Engagements range from focused diagnostics for SMEs through to full governance build-outs for large groups. Mid-sized companies that deploy AI or handle sensitive data but cannot justify a full-time data ethics function are a particularly common fit.

What is a Data Privacy Impact Assessment (DPIA)?

A DPIA is a structured analysis required under GDPR Article 35 for processing likely to result in high risk to individuals' rights. It maps data flows, identifies and scores risks, and recommends mitigations, documented in a form that can be submitted to a Data Protection Authority if needed.

What is ethics-by-design?

Ethics by design embeds ethical review and safeguards into product development, data pipelines and the AI model lifecycle from the start, through review checkpoints, policy gates and responsible AI principles operationalised in everyday workflows. Building it in is far cheaper than retrofitting it after an incident or audit.

In which languages do you work?

Engagements are delivered in English, French, Spanish and Italian.

Where are you based and where do you work?

Data Ethica is based in Italy and France and serves clients across the European Union, with selective engagements internationally.

Our Services

Ethical data practices,
from audit to action

We work with organisations at every stage of their ethics journey, from a first assessment to full governance infrastructure. All engagements are led by a certified expert with 25+ years of data experience.

Our approach

A structured path to ethical maturity

Every engagement follows a clear progression: understand where you are, define where you need to be, then build the systems to get there and keep you there.

Assess

Audit your current data and AI practices against ethical standards and regulatory requirements.

Strategise

Define a roadmap with prioritised mitigation actions and governance principles aligned to your organisation.

Implement

Embed ethics-by-design into your processes, tools, and team culture, at the core rather than as an afterthought.

Govern

Maintain ongoing oversight, monitor the landscape, and adapt as regulations and best practices evolve.

Phase 1

Assessments & Audits

A clear picture of where you stand on data and AI ethics. We map your usage, assess maturity, score risks, and produce a prioritised report that forms the foundation for everything that follows.

01 - Assessment

AI Usage Mapping & Ethical Maturity Assessment

A structured review of how your organisation currently uses data and AI systems, benchmarked against ethical frameworks and regulatory standards to identify gaps and risk exposure.

AI usage mapping

Ethical maturity assessment (Data & AI)

Risk scoring by data category and use case

Prioritised findings report with actionable recommendations

02 - Assessment

Data Privacy Impact Assessment

Identify and mitigate privacy risks before they become compliance failures or reputational incidents.

Data flow mapping and classification

Privacy risk identification and scoring

Mitigation recommendations aligned to GDPR Article 35

Documentation for DPA submission if required

03 - Workshop

Stakeholder Engagement Workshops

Build internal alignment on data ethics across leadership, technical teams, and frontline staff who handle data daily.

Executive awareness sessions (C-suite, board)

Technical team deep-dives (data, engineering, product)

Facilitated values and principles workshops

Custom training modules on ethical AI and data use

Phase 2

Roadmap & Implementation

Assessment findings become a concrete plan of action. We define your governance framework, embed ethical principles into your operations, and make sure accountability is clear at every step.

04 - Roadmap

Ethical Approach Roadmap

A prioritised, phased plan that turns assessment findings into action, scoped to your organisation's size, sector, and maturity level, with clear ownership at every step.

Risk mitigation priorities and quick wins

Governance principles and internal policies

Ethics-by-design integration into your existing workflows

Implementation phasing and accountability owners

Phase 3

Ongoing Governance

Data lives. Risks evolve, through regulatory change, yes, but just as often through operational decisions made in the moment. Ongoing governance means staying ahead of both, without the cost of a full-time hire.

05 - As-a-Service

DEO (Data Ethics Officer) as a Service

Access certified data ethics expertise on a fractional basis. Ideal for organisations that need ongoing governance oversight but are not yet ready for a full-time role.

Monthly ethics review sessions

Policy maintenance and update management

Regulatory change monitoring (GDPR, EU AI Act, national laws)

On-call advisory for ethics incidents or decisions

Board and leadership reporting

Industry benchmarking and competitor monitoring

06 - Governance

Ethics & AI Committee Setup

Establish an internal body with the authority, processes, and expertise to oversee ethical decision-making across the organisation.

Committee charter and mandate definition

Member selection criteria and onboarding

Review and escalation process design

Ongoing facilitation and advisory support

07 - Planning

Ethical Crisis Management Planning

Prepare your organisation to respond swiftly and credibly when a data or AI ethics incident occurs, before it escalates into a reputational or regulatory crisis.

Crisis scenario mapping and risk register

Response playbook design

Communication templates (internal + external)

Crisis simulation exercises

Teaching & Lectures

Sharing knowledge in the classroom and the boardroom

Beyond consulting, we train & teach at business schools, universities, and engineering schools across France and Europe, for both students in Masters programmes and senior executives.

Data Privacy, AI & Ethics

Understanding the relationship between data privacy, AI development, and ethical considerations. Participants explore the evolution of data privacy rights, the mechanics of AI systems, and the ethical implications of AI including bias, transparency, and accountability. Through case studies and discussion, participants leave not with a checklist but with a lens.

Managerial Challenges of Technological Transformations

Strategic, organisational, and human challenges for managers navigating technological change. Covers AI, big data, automation, and evolving digital platforms, equipping future leaders with the frameworks to drive innovation, manage disruption, and align technology with business goals.

Data & CRM for Digital Marketing

Strategic implementation of e-CRM with an intensive focus on data mastery. Participants learn data-driven approaches to customer engagement, consumer behaviour analysis, marketing automation, engagement scoring, and customer lifetime value modelling.

Building and Orchestrating Loyalty

Strategic, technical, and theoretical expertise in loyalty programme development. Covers the full lifecycle from design through implementation to performance measurement, combining behavioural psychology principles with data analytics and technology platforms.

Hands-on AI course for Businesses - Focus on Marketing

Exploring how AI supports marketing, business analysis, and strategic decision-making beyond daily task automation. Using AI as a tool for stronger judgment, better analysis, and improved decision support rather than simple execution, covering consumer understanding, brand management, predictive analytics, content creation, and business intelligence. Consulting simulations and real business cases help evaluate where AI adds value and where human expertise remains essential.

Partner institutions

ESCP Europe IAE Caen SKEMA Business School IPSA IPAG Business School Politecnico di Torino CCM Benchmark Group Aivancity

Not sure where to start?

Most engagements begin with a short diagnostic conversation, no commitment required. Let's find out what matters most for your organisation.

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