Exploring the Ethics of AI

Here’s a question I keep asking myself: How are you reflected in your use of AI?

Typically, when we discuss AI ethics, we’re talking about what big tech companies should do, or what regulations need to exist in the space. But today, I'm talking about something much more personal and immediate: how do you make ethical decisions when using AI every day?

This matters because AI will reflect our values whether we're intentional about it or not. And given how much ethical complexity AI raises, it’s essential to be deliberate about which values show up.

Shining a Light on Our Own Ethics 

I’m open about how I use AI in my day-to-day life. I used AI to organize and outline this very newsletter and focus my thoughts. I use AI to vibe code and to choose outfits for important days. 

Why am I telling you this? Because openness is one of my core values, and I apply it to my AI use. That's the shift I want you to make: instead of asking whether AI is ethical, ask whether you're ethical in how you use it.

The Values-in-Action Model for AI Ethics

Here's how to make your values actionable in your AI use:

List your values. Put them on the table, both your personal values and your company values. Don't just think about your company's poster values, but take the time to identify the principles that actually guide your decisions.

Map your AI touchpoints against those values. Where do you use AI most frequently? What are your common workflows? How could you insert your values into each of these?

Identify the tensions. Note any trade-offs you're making between utility and your values, then identify actions to better align with what matters most to you. For example, I could use AI to write my content because it can create content faster. But using AI also risks having the content sound generic. 

To share a personal example, my core values for AI use are openness, curiosity, integrity, and humility. Here's how they show up:

🔹 Openness: I use AI to challenge my thinking and identify potential biases. I try multiple models to get diverse perspectives.

🔹 Integrity: I'm transparent about when I use AI. I trace original sources and understand how AI reached its conclusions.

🔹 Environmental awareness: I use smaller, lower-cost models when possible because I'm concerned about AI's environmental impact.

🔹 Humility: I acknowledge AI's limitations and remain willing to revise my approach.

Building Values into Your Organization’s AI Use

You can embed values into your AI use organizationally too. Ask yourself:

  • If sustainability is a key value, how do you consider compute costs?

  • If customer trust matters, when and how do you disclose AI use in communications?

  • If equity and fairness are priorities, how do you stress-test AI for bias?

I love this approach because it starts with what's already important to you. If empathy is a core value, how are you ensuring your AI agents demonstrate empathy in their interactions?

Your Ethical AI Roadmap

Incorporating your values into the way your organization uses AI is a process that takes time and intentional effort. It doesn’t happen overnight. 

➡️ This week: Add an AI ethics check to your project templates. Think of it as "ethics by design" — just like you might have security by design.

➡️ This month: If you don't have responsible and ethical AI use guidelines, write them. And if you do have them, revise them to center on your values rather than just technical requirements. Most organizations I work with either don't have AI guidelines or have ones that are too technical for people to actually use.

➡️ Next time you use AI: Pause and ask, "How does my value of [X] show up here?" You don't have to do this every time, but try it once and see how it feels.

For an interesting thought experiment, ask the AI what it thinks your values are. You might be surprised how much it already knows about what matters to you based on your interactions.

The Bigger Picture

Technology may be shaping our future, but it's our values that shape technology. The more we practice our values in AI use, the more we lift them up and make them visible.

AI will reflect our values whether we're intentional about it or not. So let's be intentional about inserting our values into our use of AI — both personally and organizationally.

Your Turn: 

What are your core values, and how do they show up in your AI use? Let me know in the comments: I'd love to hear how you're approaching this.

What I Can’t Stop Talking About

  • The sentence that completely changed how I used AI: “Before you start, ask me any clarifying questions you may have.” AI isn’t an oracle, it’s a partner that teaches leaders how to ask questions before launching new initiatives

  • I co-lead an intimate AI leadership community called Samudra. It’s where forward-thinking execs gather to trade ideas, pressure-test strategy, and support each other through the uncertainty of this AI era. If you’ve been looking for your people—and want direct access to me as you scale your AI efforts—check it out here or just hit reply and say hello.

  • AI can’t replace human leadership, in spite of fearmongering. AI frees up brilliant minds to focus on more important tasks, like value discernment, decision-making, and more. 

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