Responsible digital technology therefore forms an important part of our sustainability approach. It means considering not only what technology allows us to achieve, but also how it is designed, used, managed and governed.

Syntezia's managing partner is a co-founder of the Institute for Sustainable IT in Switzerland, and Syntezia is a signatory of the Institute's responsible digital charter. The company has also created several responsible digital awareness workshops and “fresques” to help people better understand the impacts associated with digital technologies.

1. Reducing the Environmental Footprint of Digital Technology

Digital infrastructure consumes energy and resources.

Syntezia therefore seeks to reduce its digital environmental footprint through practices such as using more energy-efficient technologies, optimising server use and considering solutions such as virtualisation and cloud computing where appropriate.

Our digital footprint is also linked to everyday activities including emails, streaming, videoconferencing, Wi-Fi and mobile connectivity. We regularly consider the impact of these uses as part of our efforts to better understand where reductions are possible.

2. Responsible Data Management

Responsible digital practices also require responsible management of information.

Syntezia maintains confidentiality and data-protection practices and seeks to avoid the unnecessary collection and storage of personal data.

Data should be collected for appropriate purposes, protected appropriately and managed with consideration for confidentiality, security and trust. These principles are particularly important given the importance of data and confidentiality identified in Syntezia's materiality assessment.

3. Digital Inclusion

Technology should be usable by as many people as possible.

Syntezia promotes accessibility and inclusion through the principles of Universal Design, seeking to make services and digital experiences accessible to people with disabilities as well as people with different levels of digital skills.

This principle also connects with Syntezia's wider commitments to diversity and inclusion and to creating environments in which different people can participate effectively.

4. Ethics of Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence

As AI becomes increasingly important in business and society, responsible digital transformation also requires attention to the ethics of algorithms.

Syntezia's responsible digital principles include seeking to ensure that algorithms and artificial intelligence systems are fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. This includes awareness of potential bias, consideration of regular review and the importance of mechanisms for addressing errors or unfair outcomes.

These principles are particularly relevant to Syntezia's own development of AI advisory activities and to the way we advise clients on emerging technologies.

5. Awareness and Training

Responsible digital behaviour requires more than technical solutions.

Syntezia therefore places importance on awareness and training around subjects such as:

• Data security.
• Privacy.
• Information management.
• Artificial intelligence.
• Professional ethics.
• Digital sustainability.

The objective is to help employees, clients, partners and other stakeholders understand the consequences of digital choices and make more informed decisions.

6. Working with Responsible Partners

We also consider the practices of the organisations with which we work.

Where appropriate, Syntezia seeks to work with suppliers and partners that share its principles for responsible digital technology. Sustainability and responsible-practice criteria can therefore form part of supplier selection, tenders or contractual considerations.

The original Syntezia approach specifically highlights its use of Infomaniak, a Geneva-based provider recognised for its work around green data centres, as part of this responsible digital approach.

7. Transparency

Responsible digital technology also means being transparent about our own practices.

Syntezia aims to communicate openly about its digital choices and to encourage accountability among employees, customers, partners and suppliers.

Transparency helps create trust and makes it easier to identify areas where digital practices can be improved.

8. Data Minimisation and Digital Clean-Up

We also recognise that unused or unnecessary digital information has an environmental cost.

For this reason, Syntezia promotes data minimisation and has linked its responsible digital approach to initiatives such as World Clean Up Day, using the opportunity to raise awareness about the digital footprint associated with unnecessary data.

Our Aim

Our goal is to make technology a positive force without overlooking the environmental, social and ethical responsibilities that accompany it.

We aim to develop a digital culture where innovation, accessibility, privacy, ethics and environmental responsibility progress together