Compliance Week AI Event: Building Trust and Ethics into AI Tools
The recent Compliance Week event, titled How to Build Trust and Ethics into AI Tools from the Start, gathered over 100 senior-level compliance executives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 28-29, to discuss the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in organizations. This gathering highlighted the critical considerations surrounding the adoption of AI technologies.
Defining the Purpose of AI
A pivotal question raised during the event was: What, exactly, do we want AI to do in our organizations? This fundamental inquiry is vital for determining the appropriate applications of AI’s powerful yet potentially risky capabilities. Keynote speaker Jen Gennai, former head of responsible innovation at Google, emphasized the importance of this question. She noted that many teams often bypass this critical step, driven by pressure from C-Suite executives and board members, competitive demands, and the fear of falling behind.
Insights from Compliance Professionals
A survey conducted by Compliance Week and konaAi revealed that 63 percent of compliance professionals reported that the push to implement AI tools originated from either the board or the C-Suite. This statistic underscores the significant influence of leadership on AI adoption.
During the event, seasoned compliance professionals advised attendees to engage actively with AI technologies. They encouraged compliance officers to become coaches, guides, and strategic partners in their organizations as AI tools are implemented. By collaborating closely from the outset and embedding compliance into the initial stages of AI deployment, they can build trust with colleagues across various departments.
Learning Together
It was acknowledged by several speakers that organizations are collectively navigating the complexities of AI adoption. The consensus was that learning from one another serves as the most effective pathway to successful implementation.
Addressing Trust Issues
Ann Skeet from Santa Clara University’s Markkula Center for Applied Ethics addressed the trust challenges associated with AI tools, particularly with generative AI. She sparked a thoughtful dialogue on the ethical actions businesses should take to ensure that AI tools are utilized responsibly.
The event concluded with a series of discussions centered on the ethical implications of AI integration in business practices, emphasizing the necessity of trust and accountability in this rapidly evolving field.
Overall, the Compliance Week AI event served as a vital platform for executives to explore the nuances of implementing AI tools effectively while addressing the ethical considerations that arise in their usage.
