At this point, AI seems to be an inevitable integration in the workplace. It’s astonishing (and honestly, a little scary) how much AI has dramatically improved in just a few years. There appear to be two camps: tech bros eager to embrace all that AI has to offer with abandon, and those who insist that we reject modernity and embrace tradition.
I’m not so sure it’s that simple, though. There are complex and nuanced considerations regarding the ethics of AI, from potential plagiarism to environmental concerns.
But if you’re not utilizing AI somehow, you might feel left out. And make no mistake, AI has been around for longer than you think. Artificial intelligence encompasses far more than ChatGPT and image generation.
Roombas use AI. Analytics tools use AI. Heck, even auto-tune uses some of the earliest applications of AI. I could go on, but the point is this: we’ve been leveraging AI for well over a decade at this point. And the actual work and research behind it all is decades in the making.
The core debate around modern AI applications seems to be this: they’re being used to replace our humanity rather than augment it.
So, how do we—leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs—utilize AI in a way that is not only ethical but authentic? Keep reading.
5 Ways to Utilize AI Ethically and Authentically
#1 – Drafting Content
In my mind, AI is best used to streamline menial tasks. It cannot and should never replace critical thinking and creativity. But if you need a quick email draft or a few brainstorming ideas, it’s not a bad place to get a jumpstart. That said, never rely on AI to present you with a finished product. Always go back in, add personal touches, and carefully consider whether the content generated effectively serves your goals.
#2 – Letting Numbers Shine
You know what AI is really good at? Numbers. Utilize AI to analyze data, particularly in large volumes, to extract what you need. It’s also a good way to aggregate data from multiple sources without having to conduct individual searches. What I will say, though, is that you should always ask any AI assistant to provide those sources so you can verify the data.
#3 – Refine and Fact-Check
Remember, AI can be biased. If it’s only working with narrow datasets, it can impact decision-making, particularly in areas such as hiring, performance reviews, and customer service. AI should not replace human eyes on a task. Scrutinize AI outputs for patterns of bias. This is not something to trust without questioning, refining, and revisiting the AI model and the quality of the work it produces.
And, as mentioned above, look at the source. Fact-check the bot. AI is not an oracle! AI models generate responses based on patterns in the data they were trained on, not on verified facts. They lack an internal understanding of truth, accuracy, and context.
Not only that, but AI models can hallucinate. They might fabricate details, such as sources, facts, or even people, especially when information is sparse or vaguely phrased.
#4 – Prioritize Privacy & Creative Integrity
There’s currently little regulation or oversight regarding the data on which many AI models are trained. On one hand, there’s the issue of creative rights—AI models aggregating and using art and writing without consent. The other problem is data privacy.
We must ensure that any AI models used comply with relevant privacy laws, such as HIPAA. If you're training a model for company use, ensure that you’re not including personal data without consent.
#5 – Add AI to Your Team’s Arsenal
Finally, don’t ignore AI. It’s not necessarily a matter of having to embrace it. You don’t. If it’s not a tool you want to use, don’t use it. However, leaders must recognize that it is a part of the landscape. You need a company stance and standards on AI usage. Train your team on the ethical and responsible use of AI.
Create a culture that fosters critical thinking and genuine human connections, prioritizing authenticity over speed and efficiency.
Leaders must understand that AI models can be effectively leveraged to improve their business outcomes by providing valuable insights and system improvements, while also recognizing that AI is fallible and cannot replace human judgment.
How are you utilizing AI in your workflow? Share your process in the comments.