Hire the Best Artificial Intelligence Ethics Specialists

Clients rate our Artificial Intelligence Ethics Specialists
Rating is 4.8 out of 5.
4.8/5
Based on 106 client reviews
Rachel D.

Durham, North Carolina

$370/hr
4.9
195 jobs

Top 1% Expert-Vetted Freelancer. I have a PhD in Computer Science (AI & Machine Learning) and I am a physician. I build custom AI systems with proprietary and public data, including creation of novel datasets and state-of-the-art models. * After a 30-minute to 1-hour initial meeting, I'll craft a clearly written report outlining a unique AI strategy for your project. * For long-term engagements, I implement AI solutions end-to-end, including data collection, data cleaning, novel model design, model implementation and training in Python, and iteration on the modeling and data strategy to achieve excellent performance. * One of my specialties is creating custom models for proprietary datasets, including images, videos, audio recordings, and domain-specific data. Book a 30-minute consultation with me to get immediate answers about your AI project: - How can you leverage AI in your organization? - What kind of AI do you need to solve a particular problem? - Should you use a model like ChatGPT/Claude or do you need a custom model? - What modeling strategy should you use? - How should you collect and annotate data? - How much data will you need? - How should you measure performance? After a consultation I’ll craft a clearly-written report outlining an AI strategy for your project. Specialties: Healthcare AI: I am an expert in healthcare AI, with a unique background that blends clinical understanding from my MD, deep technical expertise from my AI PhD, and business experience. I have completed 100+ engagements across medical specialties including radiology, dermatology, cardiology, mental health, family medicine, surgery, dentistry, physical therapy, women’s health, pediatrics, nutrition, and neurology. I have created datasets and custom models for diverse forms of biomedical data including x-rays, CTs, MRIs, clinical photographs, patient videos, medical audio, medical notes, EHR data, insurance claims, omics data, and more. Computer Vision: I create custom AI models for 2D images, 3D images, and videos on proprietary datasets. I am excited about projects from multiple industries including healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, and agriculture. I have extensive experience with classification, object detection, segmentation, and keypoint detection, to identify and localize abnormalities or features of interest. I developed the first machine learning model in the world to predict multiple abnormalities simultaneously from a CT scan. For a dermatology practice, I built the first CV model to predict Fitzpatrick skin type, pigmentation, redness, and wrinkle severity (mean accuracy 85%)—now a core model at Kesty AI. Artificial Intelligence R&D: I have led multiple AI research projects across industry and academia. I have developed novel AI methods, including HiResCAM, a convolutional neural network explanation method with mathematical guarantees. I have published original research across multiple areas of AI, including computer vision, natural language processing, explainable AI, expert systems, and applied AI. My research papers have been cited over 1,000 times. My healthcare AI blog Glass Box has over 700,000 readers from 185 countries. Natural Language Processing (NLP): I have a deep understanding of large language models (LLMs) like Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT, and Llama. I have leveraged Transformers and other NLP techniques for numerous applications, including customized chatbots, medical note generation, and structured information extraction. Advising Entrepreneurs: Before focusing on AI consulting, I spent seven years as the founder of a health AI startup. I led my previous company from concept to deployed B2B SaaS product serving medical practices. Our AI history-taking assistant and AI scribe saved clinicians 2+ hours daily. I managed engineering teams of 5-10 (60+ contributors), secured two U.S. patents, and raised competitive grant funding. I enjoy working with entrepreneurs and discussing pitch decks, fundraising, customer discovery, designing an MVP, and evaluating the ROI of an AI product. If you’d like to talk with me about your AI project, please feel free to send me a message or book a consultation using the link on my profile.

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Natural Language Processing
  • PyTorch
  • Computer Vision
  • TensorFlow
  • Python
  • Machine Learning Model
  • Machine Learning
  • Neural Network
  • Convolutional Neural Network
  • Scientific Research
  • Scientific Writing
  • Medical Imaging
  • Machine Learning Framework
  • Research Methods
Ishta H.

Chandigarh, India

$20/hr
5.0
65 jobs

I am a Business Consultant with multiple years of experience with big firms such as Big4 and some boutique consulting firms. I have experience in areas including: - AI Training - GenAI Training - Board level training and insights - ChatGPT Training - Prompt engineering - Market research - Report, Whitepaper, Article and Blog writing - Competitive analysis - Audience research - Market trends - Pricing research - Product research - Financial analysis - Go-to-market research and strategy - Market entry strategy - AI/ML related research focusing on Generative AI - Emerging technologies I have worked with Fortune 500 firms and regularly with CXO-level clients. I have a bachelor's and master's degree in engineering. I have experience across multiple industries, including: - Technology - Consumer - E-commerce - HR Tech - Professional Services - Business Process Outsourcing/ IT Outsourcing For the last year, I have also been focusing on Generative AI. -Generative AI/LLM Business Case Development -Generative AI/LLM Training for Executives -Large Language Models, Multimodal systems, Agents/Agentic systems, RAG related research -Whitepaper related to LLMs, LLM Applications, AI/ML, Metaverse and Generative AI

  • Critical Thinking Skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Business Analysis
  • Research & Strategy
  • Report Writing
  • Business Plan Writing
  • Business Planning & Strategy
  • Market Research
  • HR & Business Services
Volodymyr K.

Bangkok, Thailand

$33/hr
5.0
23 jobs

Companies usually hire me as an AI Consultant, AI Strategy & Innovation Partner for advisory and consultations for Business Process Automation. As a Chief Product Owner, I help turn ideas into products, hire the right people, and build delivery teams. Or as a Fractional CTO, I define architecture, select technologies, and lead engineering execution. Typical projects include AI agents, multi-agent orchestration systems, SaaS platforms, conversational AI with memory, AI companions, digital clones, sales agents, marketplaces, and AI-native web and mobile applications. Core Expertise • AI Agents & Workflow Automation (agentic systems, copilots, business automation) • Business Process Automation (ERP, CRM, HubSpot, Microsoft 365, OpenAI) • Conversational AI (voice, memory, digital personas) • AI Products (strategy, architecture, execution) • SaaS Platforms (operations, workflows, internal tools) • Marketplaces (creator economies, monetization systems) • AI Infrastructure (real-time systems, orchestration layers) • Web3 Systems (payments, tokens, utility design) Recent Products AI Digital Clone Platform - Callable A platform for creating AI-powered digital replicas of experts, founders, educators, influencers, and professionals. The system enables users to interact with AI clones through text and voice while preserving knowledge, communication style, and personality traits. Real-Time Robotics Brain Infrastructure - IronHeart.AI Conversational infrastructure for humanoid robots, kiosks, physical AI systems, and embedded devices operating in real-world environments. Low-latency conversation, interruption handling, contextual memory, multilingual communication, and edge deployment. AI Agent Marketplace for Wellness Industry [NDA] The platform combines conversational AI, voice interaction, appointment workflows, knowledge management, and subscription-based monetization. Agent-Based Data Intelligence Platform (NDA) Enterprise AI intelligence platform that allows organizations to interact with structured and unstructured data through AI agents. The system combines agent orchestration, MCP integrations, retrieval pipelines, workflow automation, and decision-support interfaces. AI Companion Platform - Amora Real-time AI companion ecosystem featuring voice conversations, persistent memory, emotional engagement systems, creator monetization, and AI-generated personalities. The platform enables creators to launch AI personalities for ongoing relationships with AI companions. AI Call Center Infrastructure & Sales Voice Agents [NDA] Conversational AI infrastructure for automated customer interactions, sales operations, inbound support, and call center automation. The system includes transcription, routing, analytics, conversation optimization, and multilingual voice interactions. AI-Powered Design Workspace & Proposal Automation B2B platform (VC Gallery) The platform combines project management, proposal generation, pricing automation, catalog management, financial tracking, and AI-assisted workflows into a unified workspace for managing complex design projects. Web3 AI Marketplace & Consumer Engagement Ecosystem - MAX44 AI & Beenachi Marketplace Web3-powered consumer platform combining AI agents, behavioral engagement systems, tokenized rewards, location-based interactions, and marketplace mechanics. The platform explores new models for user acquisition, consumer incentives, and AI-driven engagement. IoT Visualization & Industrial SCADA Platform – HyperVision The system provides operators, engineers, and plant managers with a centralized interface for monitoring production lines, industrial equipment, sensors, and operational processes across manufacturing facilities.

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Product Management
  • API Integration
  • Product Development
  • Machine Learning
  • Web3
  • Conversational AI
  • LLM Prompt Engineering
  • AI Development
  • AI Consulting
  • Automation
  • Startup Consulting
  • Generative AI
  • AI Marketplace
  • AI Agent Development
  • AI Speech-to-Text
  • AI Product Management
  • AI Implementation
  • OpenAI API
  • AI App Development
Hien N.

Padova, Italy

$39/hr
5.0
3 jobs

LLM Security Engineer | AI Security | AppSec | DevSecOps | Cloud Security I help startups, SaaS companies, and enterprises secure modern AI systems, web applications, cloud infrastructure, and digital assets — from development to production. My work covers: AI & LLM Security • LLM application security assessments • Prompt injection and jailbreak testing • RAG pipeline security reviews • Agentic workflow security • Model abuse and data leakage testing • AI threat modeling (STRIDE, MITRE ATLAS, OWASP LLM Top 10) • Secure API integrations (OpenAI, Anthropic, vector databases) Application & API Security • Web application penetration testing • API security assessments • Authentication & authorization testing • Business logic testing • Secure architecture reviews • Vulnerability discovery and remediation guidance Incident Response & Malware Removal • WordPress malware cleanup and security hardening • Backdoor detection and persistence analysis • Reinfection root cause analysis • Webshell investigation • Redirect/spam injection cleanup • Post-compromise hardening and monitoring DevSecOps & Cloud Security • Secure CI/CD pipelines • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security • Container and supply chain security • Secrets management • AWS & GCP security reviews • Runtime detection engineering • Security automation and secure SDLC improvements Compliance & Security Governance • Security assessments aligned with OWASP, NIST, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, GDPR, and SOC 2 • Threat modeling and risk analysis • Security control validation • Security architecture reviews My background combines 7+ years of hands-on cybersecurity experience across application security, penetration testing, cloud security, DevSecOps, threat modeling, detection engineering, and adversarial machine learning research. I work with clients across: AI/ML platforms, SaaS, FinTech, E-commerce, Healthcare, Telecom, CMS/WordPress, and cloud-native environments. Whether you need to secure your AI product, audit your application, clean a compromised website, or strengthen your cloud security posture, I can help you identify risks and implement practical fixes. Available for short-term audits, incident response, and long-term security consulting.

  • Information Security
  • Cybersecurity Management
  • Python
  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  • Splunk
  • PCI DSS
  • Cloud Security
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • Security Analysis
  • Kubernetes
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Security Assessment & Testing
  • CI/CD
  • Governance, Risk & Compliance Software
  • Information Security Audit
Emily M.

Scottsdale, Arizona

$40/hr
5.0
87 jobs

The brain of a data detective, the pen of a journalist, and the instincts of a compliance lawyer. For more than 40 years, I have built a reputation as a precise, trusted writer and researcher working across technology, finance, policy, operations, HR, and regulated business environments. Clients include C-suite executives, policymakers, engineers, academics, and subject matter experts who need clear, credible content that can withstand scrutiny. With degrees in Journalism (BA), Behavioral Psychology (MS), and Law (JD), I bring a disciplined approach to language. Every sentence should serve a purpose. Every edit should improve clarity, logic, and force. From AI strategy and public policy to technical guides and executive thought leadership, I work comfortably where detail, judgment, and communication meet. ~Professional Highlights~ Strategic Writing • Long-form articles, executive summaries, white papers, reports, guides, and thought leadership • Technical, financial, legal, policy, and operational writing for sophisticated professional audiences • Published work for respected engineering, finance, biotech, AI, and business outlets • Ghostwritten book content, executive-facing articles, and internal communications Editing & Proofreading • Logic, structure, rhythm, tone, and narrative coherence • Developmental, line, and substantive editing without flattening nuance • Voice preservation with stronger clarity, precision, and readability • Careful fact-checking and citation discipline Research & Analysis • Qualitative and quantitative research across technology, finance, policy, HR, healthcare, and enterprise operations • Market analysis, competitor research, workforce trends, regulatory developments, and benchmarking • Rapid synthesis of complex source material into usable insight for executives and professional readers • Comfortable working from raw notes, expert interviews, technical materials, and incomplete drafts Business, Legal & Compliance Content • Contracts, public policy, compliance documentation, internal guidance, and formal business writing • RFPs, SOWs, SLAs, technical manuals, user guides, and customer-facing documentation • Writing that reflects governance, risk, operational realities, and decision-making constraints AI & Technical Expertise • Advanced user of ChatGPT, Claude, DeepSeek, Perplexity, and related tools • Experience in AI benchmarking, prompt evaluation, workflow review, and agentic AI scenario assessment • Background in IT, HRIS/HCM, SaaS platforms, data analytics, and enterprise systems • Able to make AI and technical content sound human, precise, and useful

  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Technical Writing
  • Technical Documentation
  • Fact-Checking
  • Copywriting
  • Academic Writing
  • Content Writing
  • Content Creation
  • Article Writing
  • SEO Writing
  • Financial Writing
  • Business Research
  • Content Research
  • Survey Question Writing
  • AI Content Writing
Ali H.

Manama, Bahrain

$20/hr
4.9
177 jobs

Trusted Advisor 🥇 🚀 Get Audit-Ready in 6 Weeks — Guaranteed. Confused by compliance? I translate complex regulations into simple, actionable steps. Whether you need to win enterprise trust with ISO 27001 or unblock sales with a SOC 2 report, I provide the fastest, most cost-effective path to certification. Why hire a consultant when you can hire a Strategic Partner? As the Founder of Axipro, I’ve led over 100 successful certifications in the last year alone. We don't just "give advice"—we handle the heavy lifting. 🛠 THE GRC TOOL EXPERT Are you struggling with your automated GRC platform? I am an official partner and power user of: ✅ Drata (Gold Partner) ✅ Vanta (Expert Implementation) ✅ Secureframe, Thoropass, Sprinto, Scrut, & more. I can help you get your progress running in record time and even provide discounted subscription rates through our MSSP partnership. 🛡 ONE-STOP COMPLIANCE SHOP - Policies & Procedures: Custom-tailored, audit-ready documentation. - Risk Management: Deep-dive assessments that protect your business. - Security Questionnaires: Get them off your desk and submitted in hours, not weeks. - Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testings: Remediation recommendations and detailed reports to improve security posture - CPA Attestation: We have in-house CPAs to sign off on your SOC 2 Type 1 & 2 reports. 🌍 GLOBAL STANDARDS COVERED ISO 27001, 9001, 14001, 45001, 27701, 27017, 27018, 42001 (AI) | SOC 2 Type 1 & 2 | HIPAA | PCI DSS | GDPR | FedRAMP | NIST CSF | CMMC | TISAX | HITRUST | SAMA NCA ⭐ WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING "Ali is a lifesaver. He got us SOC 2 certified through Vanta and saved us months of work." — Founder, Druxia (USA) "Knowledgeable, professional, and incredibly responsive. Ali got us across the line with Drata for ISO 27001." — Founder, Tilt Legal (AUS) 💎 THE AXIPRO ADVANTAGE 10+ Years Experience: Lead Engineer & Auditor minds

  • SOC 2
  • ISO 27001
  • IT Compliance Audit
  • HIPAA
  • SOC 2 Report
  • PCI DSS
  • AI Compliance
  • Data Privacy
  • GDPR
  • Governance, Risk Management & Compliance
  • Penetration Testing
  • Information Security Consultation
  • AI Governance
  • AI Security
  • CMMC
  • ISO 14001

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Hire the Best Artificial Intelligence Ethics Specialists

As artificial intelligence systems become increasingly autonomous and integrated into critical decision-making processes, the need for responsible AI governance has never been more urgent. Companies across finance, health care, and recruitment are realizing that algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, and data privacy violations can lead to severe reputational damage and legal penalties. An artificial intelligence (AI) ethics specialist ensures your technology aligns with human values and regulatory standards. By hiring a dedicated expert, organizations can mitigate risks and build trust with their user base. 

What does an AI ethics specialist do?

An AI ethics specialist is a multidisciplinary professional responsible for ensuring that artificial intelligence and machine learning systems operate fairly, transparently, and safely. They serve as the bridge between technical data science teams and business stakeholders, translating complex moral and legal requirements into actionable technical constraints. Their primary goal is to identify and mitigate risks associated with automated decision-making before they negatively impact users or the organization.

One core function is conducting algorithmic audits — rigorously testing machine learning models to detect bias against protected groups such as race, gender, or age. They utilize statistical tools to measure disparate impact and recommend technical adjustments to rebalance datasets or model parameters. Beyond testing, they establish explainability (XAI), ensuring AI reasoning is understandable to humans, which is critical for regulatory compliance in sectors like lending and medicine.

These specialists also design comprehensive governance frameworks, drafting internal policies for data collection, model training, and AI deployment. This includes staying current with evolving regulations such as the EU AI Act, GDPR, and emerging U.S. guidelines. They advise leadership on compliance strategies and conduct training to foster responsible innovation within engineering teams.

How to hire a freelance AI ethics specialist on Upwork

Finding the right AI ethics specialist on Upwork involves a structured approach to identify candidates who balance technical auditing skills with regulatory knowledge.

Step 1: Craft a comprehensive job post

The quality of your job post determines the caliber of specialists who apply. A well-structured posting signals professionalism and helps qualified candidates assess fit quickly. Start with the AI engineer job description template for ideas.

  • Define the scope specifically. State whether you need a technical audit, company-wide policy creation, or preparation for specific regulations like the EU AI Act.

  • List required frameworks and tools. Mention experience with IBM AI Fairness 360, Microsoft Fairlearn, NIST AI RMF, or IEEE 7000.

  • Specify the domain context. AI ethics in health care differs from marketing; highlight your industry so candidates can demonstrate relevant experience.

To streamline hiring, use the Job Post Generator powered by Uma, Upwork's Mindful AI™. Describe your needs, and Uma will draft a tailored job post.

Step 2: Shortlist candidates with multidisciplinary expertise

AI ethics requires technical competence and humanistic reasoning. Prioritize candidates who demonstrate practical experience translating ethical principles into measurable outcomes.

  • Check for technical grounding. Ensure the candidate understands machine learning fundamentals well enough to communicate with your data science team.

  • Verify regulatory knowledge. Look for up-to-date knowledge of data privacy laws, copyright issues in generative AI, and industry-specific compliance.

  • Review portfolios. Prioritize candidates who share case studies of successfully mitigating bias or solving ethical dilemmas.

Step 3: Conduct a rigorous interview focused on problem-solving

Evaluate how candidates navigate nuanced trade-offs inherent in AI ethics work. Similar to interviewing machine learning engineers, focus on practical problem-solving.

  • Use scenario-based questions. Present a hypothetical ethical dilemma relevant to your product and evaluate their reasoning.

  • Assess communication skills. Ask them to explain algorithmic bias as if speaking to a CEO.

  • Discuss methodology. Ask how they measure fairness and what metrics they prioritize.

Step 4: Launch the engagement with a defined pilot project

A structured pilot validates the specialist's capabilities while limiting organizational exposure.

  • Start with a red teaming exercise. Hire the specialist to identify your model's ethical vulnerabilities in a controlled environment.

  • Commission a single policy review. Have them review your current data privacy or AI usage policy and suggest improvements.

  • Set clear success metrics. Define success, such as a completed audit report or integration of a fairness metric into your CI/CD pipeline.

How much does hiring an AI ethics specialist cost?

The cost of hiring a freelance AI ethics specialist varies based on engagement depth, AI system complexity, and expertise level. Rates are often higher than standard developers due to the niche combination of technical, legal, and philosophical skills required. You can review hourly rates for related skills on Upwork to gauge market costs.

Initial ethical risk assessment

$800-$2,500 /project

Entry-level to mid-level
  • High-level review of use cases
  • Identification of potential risk areas
  • Basic compliance checklist

Specific algorithm bias audit

$3,000-$8,000 /project

Mid-level
  • Statistical testing for bias
  • Technical audit report with metrics
  • Data remediation recommendations

AI governance framework development

$10,000-$25,000 /project

Senior-level
  • Custom ethics policy and charter
  • Stakeholder impact assessments
  • Implementation roadmap

Regulatory compliance roadmap

$5,000-$15,000 /project

Senior-level
  • Gap analysis against EU AI Act/NIST
  • Documentation requirements strategy
  • Legal and technical alignment plan

Ongoing ethics board advisory

$4,000-$12,000 /month

Expert-level
  • Monthly system monitoring reviews
  • Executive leadership advisory
  • Crisis management support

Frequently asked questions

Is hiring an AI ethics specialist worth it?

Yes, hiring an AI ethics specialist is critical for companies deploying AI at scale. The cost of ignoring AI ethics can include class-action lawsuits, regulatory fines, and irreversible brand damage. Demonstrating commitment to responsible AI can also be a competitive differentiator, attracting customers who value transparency.

What skills should I look for?

When reviewing AI ethics specialist candidates, look for a strong sociotechnical background: working knowledge of machine learning and data science combined with expertise in ethics, philosophy, law, or sociology. Key hard skills include familiarity with bias auditing tools (Aequitas, What-If Tool) and governance frameworks (NIST, ISO). Crucial soft skills include stakeholder management and clear communication of technical risks.

What related roles should I consider?

Consider an AI safety researcher for catastrophic risks, a data privacy officer or IT compliance manager for legal aspects, a senior machine learning engineer for fairness metric implementation, or an AI strategy consultant for broader alignment.

Can I hire an AI ethics specialist within 24 hours on Upwork?

While proposals may arrive within 24 hours, hiring a qualified specialist usually requires longer vetting due to the role's sensitive nature. Speed up the process with a clear job description and by inviting top-rated freelancers directly.


The rates and information provided are based on current data available at the time of publication. Freelance rates can vary based on experience, location, project scope, and market conditions.

Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.