Trust and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence: Foundations, Challenges, and Policy Directions

As artificial intelligence (AI) systems become increasingly integrated into critical domains, trust and ethics have emerged as central concerns in their governance and deployment. This article explores the conceptual underpinnings of ethical AI and the mechanisms for building trust, synthesizing insights from ۲۲ peer-reviewed sources published between ۲۰۲۴ and ۲۰۲۵. It identifies core ethical values, analyzes trust-enhancing mechanisms, compares global policy approaches, and highlights existing gaps in regulation and inclusivity. The analysis finds that while transparency, accountability, and fairness are common ethical anchors, policy responses remain fragmented and uneven across jurisdictions. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the need for participatory design, robust oversight, and inclusion of Global South perspectives. A conceptual map and policy comparison table offer visual summaries of key findings. The article concludes by calling for more coordinated, inclusive, and anticipatory governance strategies to ensure that AI technologies promote public good and democratic legitimacy.

Keywords:

Trustworthy AI , AI Ethics , Responsible AI , AI Governance , Policy and Regulation , Algorithmic Fairness , Accountability , Ethical Design