My thoughts on AI ethics as it plays out in the real world

I first wrote about the business case for AI ethics back in August. I argued that ethics isn't a barrier to innovation — it's a catalyst for better decision-making. Transparency, inclusivity, holistic thinking, playing the long game.

It was a philosophical argument. I believed it, but I didn't have...

Last week, major US-based venture capital firm a16z published their thoughts on AI regulation. Which (predictably) can be summed up as don't regulate development, only regulate bad uses. Let the technology flourish, deal with problems as they emerge.

Cool, cool.

Except, they've skipped a crucial s...

Picture two software engineers. Same code. Same AI tool used in the process. One gets praised. One gets marked down for incompetence. The difference is gender. Because of course it is.

Oh how I wish this were a hypothetical scenario. But sadly it's cold, hard research findings.

A study into barrie...

Creative agencies are rushing to have something in place about how they use AI. But generic statements about "responsible use" or "AI as a tool" don't answer the fundamental client question: how do you protect and nurture the value we're paying for?

Instead of a hurried tick box exercise, what if y...

There are five big objections to AI ethics that I bump up against in my work. What's interesting is that these typically come from people who see the same problems I do: problematic tech, inadequate regulation, corporate lip service and an urgent need for change.

We're all looking at the current situ...

I believe in transparency. Which is why I need to be transparent about some research which, on the face of it, undermines my entire business.

I'm an AI ethics consultant. My work centres on helping organisations use AI responsibly — and a fundamental part of that is transparency. I help clients thi...

I've seen a lot of buzz in the last week about shadow AI, which refers to AI tools employees use for work in the background without formal approval.  

Recent research from MIT revealed that while only 40% of companies have purchased official AI subscriptions, employees from over 90% of organisation...

Today I'm coming at you with a reminder that YOU are the captain of your own ship.

In one of the first AI ethics classes I took (when I was deep in study mode) the tutor shared five questions to ask before using generative AI for a task:

1. Am I misrepresenting effort?
2. Am I spreading unverified cl
...

At the start of every AI ethics workshop, I share a few ground rules. There are the basics (don't be a dick), and then three principles that will help you get the most out of our time together:

1. Admit when you don't know something
2. Accept that competing truths can co-exist
3. Be open to changing you
...

When most people hear "AI ethics" their mind goes straight to compliance tick-boxes and risk mitigation. Something that frustrates progress, adds layers of bureaucracy and gets in the way of innovation.

And bores everyone half to death 😴

I’d counter that AI ethics – or at least the approach I take...