The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and the increasing digitalization of social and corporate relationships are imposing a new set of ethical and strategic responsibilities on business leadership. On one hand, AI represents a promising frontier for innovation, productivity, and competitiveness; on the other, it brings considerable risks related to privacy, information security, algorithmic bias, and legal accountability.
In this context, boards of directors and executive leaders can no longer treat tech ethics as a peripheral issue. It must be at the heart of strategic discussions.
AI as a Decision-Making Vector: The Delegation Dilemma
As algorithms begin to make autonomous decisions — whether in credit approval, résumé screening, or medical treatment recommendations — the need for transparency about how these systems operate becomes increasingly urgent.
AI ethics, above all, means responsibility. Who is accountable for a biased decision made by an AI system? How can we ensure that the data used to train models is representative and free from discrimination? More importantly, how do we prevent automation from perpetuating social inequalities?
Data: The New Oil — and a New Legal Liability
The protection of personal data, driven by regulations such as Brazil’s LGPD and the European Union’s GDPR, has evolved from a technical concern limited to legal or IT departments into a strategic obligation. Data breaches, misuse, and lack of governance can lead not only to multimillion-dollar fines but also to irreparable damage to reputation.
Moreover, the massive data collection required by AI systems raises concerns about consent, purpose limitation, and data traceability. The principle of data minimization — embedded in many privacy laws — often clashes with platforms’ appetite for volume and variety of information.
The Role of Boards: From Complacency to Leadership
Boards of directors and audit committees must move from a reactive stance to a proactive and vigilant role. Three key fronts stand out:
- Data and AI Governance: Establish clear policies for the ethical use of algorithms, data collection and processing, whistleblower channels, and accountability mechanisms.
- Capacity Building and Diversity: Ensure that the board possesses multidisciplinary expertise — including technology, ethics, and digital rights — and diverse backgrounds to detect risks invisible to homogeneous groups.
- Integration with ESG: Embed AI ethics into the ESG agenda, especially under the Social (S) pillar, which addresses impacts on people, inclusion, diversity, and rights.
Responsible Leadership in Exponential Times
In a world governed by data and algorithms, leading with digital awareness is imperative. It requires aligning innovation with fundamental rights, accelerating transformation without abandoning fairness, and, above all, recognizing that trust — now more than ever — is a strategic asset.
Organizations that not only comply with the law but go beyond it, adopting ethical and transparent practices in their use of data and AI, will be better prepared for the future. A future that has already begun — and one that demands vision, courage, and responsibility.