Is your use of AI ethical? The Higgins-Berger Scale (HBS) Interactive Utility Transparency(Required)Select OneClear, accurate representationPartial disclosure or clear human authorshipMinimal or unclear disclosure, no deceptionIntentional obscuring or misleading claimsAssesses whether audiences or stakeholders are misled about AI’s role in the work.Modifier AI openly acknowledgedPotential for Harm(Required)Select OneNo foreseeable harm, net benefitLow risk with safeguardsModerate risk of harm or misunderstandingHigh risk of harm or bias amplificationEvaluates the likelihood that the output could mislead, harm, or unfairly impact individuals or groups.Modifier Significant demonstrable benefitData Usage & Privacy(Required)Select OneFully compliant with laws and consentEthical gray areasQuestionable or unclear provenanceClear non-consensual or restricted data useAssesses ethical and legal responsibility for data used in AI workflows under the user’s control.Modifier Documented licensingDisplacement Impact(Required)Select OneExpands or augments human workLimited displacement with mitigationSignificant displacement, no mitigationWholesale replacement of human laborEvaluates how AI use affects human labor and creative contribution.Modifier AI strictly assistiveIntent(Required)Select OneConstructive, responsible purposeNeutral or mixed commercial intentProfit or convenience overrides careMalicious, deceptive, exploitativeAssesses the underlying purpose and good-faith use of AI.This field is hidden when viewing the formNumber(Required)Blue: 0 Ethically Exemplary. AI is used strictly as an assistive tool. Substantial human judgment, review, and creative control are present throughout the process. AI output is curated, corrected, and meaningfully improved.Green: 1–4 Ethically Acceptable / Low Risk. Human oversight is present and meaningful, though AI may play a larger role in production. Transparency and mitigation practices are in place, and ethical risks are actively managed.Yellow: 5–7 Ambiguous Ethical Zone. Limited human oversight or mitigation. Minor but unaddressed risks may be present. Transparency may be incomplete or inconsistent. Improvement is recommended before scaling or public release.Orange: 8–9 Ethically Dubious. Little to no meaningful human oversight. High risk of harm, deception, or rights violations. Ethical concerns are likely foreseeable and insufficiently addressed.Red: 10+ Unethical or Illegal. Clear evidence of harmful, malicious, fraudulent, or non-consensual use. No meaningful mitigation. Likely violation of ethical norms, legal standards, or both.
