

The Road to Accountable AI
Kevin Werbach
Artificial intelligence is changing business, and the world. How can you navigate through the hype to understand AI's true potential, and the ways it can be implemented effectively, responsibly, and safely? Wharton Professor and Chair of Legal Studies and Business Ethics Kevin Werbach has analyzed emerging technologies for thirty years, and created one of the first business school course on legal and ethical considerations of AI in 2016. He interviews the experts and executives building accountable AI systems in the real world, today.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 11, 2024 • 34min
Nuala O'Connor: Frontline Human-Machine Interface at Walmart
Join Kevin and Nuala as they discuss Walmart's approach to AI governance, emphasizing the application of existing corporate principles to new technologies. She explains the Walmart Responsible AI Pledge, its collaborative creation process, and the importance of continuous monitoring to ensure AI tools align with corporate values. Nuala reveals her commitment to responsible AI with a focus on customer centricity at Walmart with the mantra “Inform, Educate, Entertain” and examples like the "Ask Sam" tool that aids associates. They address the complexities of AI implementation, including bias, accuracy, and trust, and the challenges of standardizing AI frameworks. Kevin and Nuala conclude with reflections on the need for humility and agility in the evolving AI landscape, emphasizing the ongoing responsibility of technology providers to ensure positive impacts. Nuala O’Connor is the SVP and chief counsel, digital citizenship, at Walmart. Nuala leads the company’s Digital Citizenship organization, which advances the ethical use of data and responsible use of technology. Before joining Walmart, Nuala served as president and CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology. In the private sector, Nuala has served in a variety of privacy leadership and legal counsel roles at Amazon, GE and DoubleClick. In the public sector, Nuala served as the first chief privacy officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. She also served as deputy director of the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, and later as chief counsel for technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Nuala holds a B.A. from Princeton University, an M.Ed. from Harvard University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Nuala O'Connor to Join Walmart in New Digital Citizenship Role Walmart launches its own voice assistant, ‘Ask Sam,’ initially for employee use Our Responsible AI Pledge: Setting the Bar for Ethical AI Want to learn more? Engage live with Professor Werbach and other Wharton faculty experts in Wharton's new Strategies for Accountable AI online executive education program. It's perfect for managers, entrepreneurs, and advisors looking to harness AI’s power while addressing its risks.

Jul 4, 2024 • 35min
Suresh Venkatasubramanian: Blueprints and Redesign: Academia to the White House and Back
Join Kevin and Suresh as they discuss the latest tools and frameworks that companies can use to effectively combat algorithmic bias, all while navigating the complexities of integrating AI into organizational strategies. Suresh describes his experiences at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the creation of the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, including its five fundamental principles—safety and effectiveness, non-discrimination, data minimization, transparency, and accountability. Suresh and Kevin dig into the economic and logistical challenges that academics face in government roles and highlight the importance of collaborative efforts alongside clear rules to follow in fostering ethical AI. The discussion highlights the importance of education, cultural shifts, and the role of the European Union's AI Act in shaping global regulatory frameworks. Suresh discusses his creation of Brown University's Center on Technological Responsibility, Reimagination, and Redesign, and why trust and accountability are paramount, especially with the rise of Large Language Models. Suresh Venkatasubramanian is a Professor of Data Science and Computer Science at Brown University. Suresh's background is in algorithms and computational geometry, as well as data mining and machine learning. His current research interests lie in algorithmic fairness, and more generally the impact of automated decision-making systems in society. Prior to Brown University, Suresh was at the University of Utah, where he received a CAREER award from the NSF for his work in the geometry of probability. He has received a test-of-time award at ICDE 2017 for his work in privacy. His research on algorithmic fairness has received press coverage across North America and Europe, including NPR’s Science Friday, NBC, and CNN, as well as in other media outlets. For the 2021–2022 academic year, he served as Assistant Director for Science and Justice in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights Brown University's Center on Technological Responsibility, Reimagination, and Redesign Brown professor Suresh Venkatasubramanian tackles societal impact of computer science at White House Want to learn more? Engage live with Professor Werbach and other Wharton faculty experts in Wharton's new Strategies for Accountable AI online executive education program. It's perfect for managers, entrepreneurs, and advisors looking to harness AI’s power while addressing its risks.

Jun 27, 2024 • 33min
Diya Wynn: People-Centric Technology
Kevin Werbach speaks with Diya Wynn, the responsible AI lead at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Diya shares how she pioneered a formal practice for ethical AI at AWS, and explains AWS’s “Well-Architected” framework to assist customers in responsibly deploying AI. Kevin and Diya also discuss the significance of diversity and human bias in AI systems, revealing the necessity of incorporating diverse perspectives to create more equitable AI outcomes. Diya Wynn leads a team at AWS that helps customers implement responsible AI practices. She has over 25 years of experience as a technologist scaling products for acquisition; driving inclusion, diversity & equity initiatives; and leading operational transformation. She serves on the AWS Health Equity Initiative Review Committee; mentors at Tulane University, Spelman College, and GMI; was a mayoral appointee in Environment Affairs for six years; and guest lectures regularly on responsible and inclusive technology. Responsible AI for the greater good: insights from AWS’s Diya Wynn Ethics In AI: A Conversation With Diya Wynn, AWS Responsible AI Lead Want to learn more? Engage live with Professor Werbach and other Wharton faculty experts in Wharton's new Strategies for Accountable AI online executive education program. It's perfect for managers, entrepreneurs, and advisors looking to harness AI’s power while addressing its risks.

Jun 20, 2024 • 32min
Paula Goldman: Putting Humans at the Helm
Kevin Werbach is joined by Paula Goldman, Chief Ethical and Humane Use Officer at Salesforce, to discuss the pioneering efforts of her team in building a culture of ethical technology use. Paula shares insights on aligning risk assessments and technical mitigations with business goals to bring stakeholders on board. She explains how AI governance functions in a large business with enterprise customers, who have distinctive needs and approaches. Finally, she highlights the shift from "human in the loop" to "human at the helm" as AI technology advances, stressing that today's investments in trustworthy AI are essential for managing tomorrow’s more advanced systems. Paula Goldman leads Salesforce in creating a framework to build and deploy ethical technology that optimizes social benefit. Prior to Salesforce, she served Global Lead of the Tech and Society Solutions Lab at Omidyar Network, and has extensive entrepreneurial experience managing frontier market businesses. Creating safeguards for the ethical use of technology Trusted AI Needs a Human at the Helm Responsible Use of Technology: The Salesforce Case Study Want to learn more? Engage live with Professor Werbach and other Wharton faculty experts in Wharton's new Strategies for Accountable AI online executive education program. It's perfect for managers, entrepreneurs, and advisors looking to harness AI’s power while addressing its risks.

4 snips
Jun 13, 2024 • 37min
Navrina Singh: AI Alignment in Practice
Kevin Werbach speaks with Navrina Singh of Credo AI, which automates AI oversight and regulatory compliance. Singh addresses the increasing importance of trust and governance in the AI space. She discusses the need to standardize and scale oversight mechanisms by helping companies align and translate their systems to include all stakeholders and comply with emerging global standards. Kevin and Navrina also explore the importance of sociotechnical approaches to AI governance, the necessity of mandated AI disclosures, the democratization of generative AI, adaptive policymaking, and the need for enhanced AI literacy within organizations to keep pace with evolving technologies and regulatory landscapes. Navrina Singh is the Founder and CEO of Credo AI, a Governance SaaS platform empowering enterprises to deliver responsible AI. Navrina previously held multiple product and business leadership roles at Microsoft and Qualcomm. She is a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC), an executive board member of Mozilla Foundation, and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum. Credo.ai ISO/ 42001 standard for AI governance Navrina Singh Founded Credo AI To Align AI With Human Values Want to learn more? Engage live with Professor Werbach and other Wharton faculty experts in Wharton's new Strategies for Accountable AI online executive education program. It's perfect for managers, entrepreneurs, and advisors looking to harness AI’s power while addressing its risks.

Jun 6, 2024 • 31min
Scott Zoldi: Using the Best AI Tools for the Job
Kevin Werbach speaks with Scott Zoldi of FICO, which pioneered consumer credit scoring in the 1950s and now offers a suite of analytics and fraud detection tools. Zoldi explains the importance of transparency and interpretability in AI models, emphasizing a “simpler is better” approach to creating clear and understandable algorithms. He discusses FICO's approach to responsible AI, which includes establishing model governance standards, and enforcing these standards through the use of blockchain technology. Zoldi explains how blockchain provides an immutable record of the model development process, enhancing accountability and trust. He also highlights the challenges organizations face in implementing responsible AI practices, particularly in light of upcoming AI regulations, and stresses the need for organizations to catch up in defining governance standards to ensure trustworthy and accountable AI models. Dr. Scott Zoldi is Chief Analytics Officer of FICO, responsible for analytics and AI innovation across FICO's portfolio. He has authored more than 130 patents, and is a long-time advocate and inventor in the space of responsible AI. He was nomianed for American Banker’s 2024 Innovator Award and received Corinium’s Future Thinking Award in 2022. Zoldi is a member of the Board of Advisors for FinReg Lab, and serves on the Boards of Directors of Software San Diego and San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence. He received his Ph.D. in theoretical and computational physics from Duke University. Navigating the Wild AI with Dr. Scott Zoldi How to Use Blockchain to Build Responsible AI The State of Responsible AI in Financial Services

May 30, 2024 • 34min
Olivia Gambelin: Ethical AI as Good Business Practice
Professor Kevin Werbach and AI ethicist Olivia Gambelin discuss the moral responsibilities surrounding Artificial Intelligence, and the practical steps companies should take to address tehm. Olivia explains how companies can begin their responsible AI journey, starting with taking inventory of their systems and using Olivia's Value Canvas to map the ethical terrain. Kevin and Olivia delve into the potential reasons companies avoid investing in ethical AI, the financial and compliance benefits of making the investment, and best practices of companies who succeed in AI governance. Olivia also discusses her initiative to build a network of responsible AI practitioners and promote development of the field. Olivia Gameblin is founder and CEO of Ethical Intelligence, an advisory firm specializing in Ethics-as-a-Service for businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to Series A startups. Her book, Responsible AI, offers a comprehensive guide to integrating ethical practices for AI deployment. She serves on the Founding Editorial Board for Springer Nature’s AI and Ethics Journal, co-chairs the IEEE AI Expert Network Criteria Committee, and advises the Ethical AI Governance Group and The Data Tank. She is deeply involved in both the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem and advising on AI policy and regulation in Europe. Olivia Gameblin’s Website Responsible AI: Implement an Ethical Approach in Your Organization The EI (Ethical Intelligence) Network The Values Canvas

May 23, 2024 • 37min
Beth Noveck: Effective and Accountable AI in the Public Sector
Join Professor Kevin Werbach and Beth Noveck, New Jersey's first Chief AI Strategist, as they explore AI's transformative power in public governance. Beth reveals how AI is revolutionizing government operations, from rewriting complex unemployment insurance letters in plain English to analyzing call data for faster responses. They discuss New Jersey's innovative use of generative AI to cut response times in half, empowering public servants to better serve their communities while balancing ethical considerations and privacy concerns. Learn about New Jersey's training programs, sandboxes, and pilot projects designed to integrate AI safely into public service. Beth also shares inspiring global examples, like Taiwan's citizen-engaged decision-making processes and Iceland's Better Reykjavik initiative, which inform local projects like New Jersey's mycareernj.gov career coaching tool. Beth Simone Noveck directs the Governance Lab (GovLab) at New York University's Tandon School of Engineering. As the inaugural U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer and leader of the White House Open Government Initiative under President Obama, she crafted innovative strategies to enhance governmental transparency, cooperation, and public engagement. Noveck authored "Wiki Government," a seminal work advocating for the use of digital tools to revolutionize civic interaction. Her roles have included Chief Innovation Officer for New Jersey and Senior Advisor for the Open Government Initiative, earning her wide acclaim and numerous accolades for her contributions to the field. Noveck's work emphasizes the transformative potential of technology in fostering more open, transparent, and participatory governance structures. Open Government Initiative The GovLab Wiki Government Beth Noveck TED Talk: Demand a more open-source government

May 16, 2024 • 35min
Jean-Enno Charton: Operationalizing AI Ethics
Join Professor Kevin Werbach and Jean-Enno Charton, Director of Digital Ethics and Bioethics at Merck KGAA, as they explore the ethical challenges of AI in healthcare and life sciences. Charton delves into the evolution of Merck's AI ethics program, which stemmed from their bioethics advisory panel addressing complex ethical dilemmas in areas like fertility research and clinical trials. He details the formation of a dedicated digital ethics panel, incorporating industry experts and academics, and developing the Principle at Risk Analysis (PARA) tool to identify and mitigate ethical risks in AI applications. Highlighting the significance of trust, transparency, and pragmatic solutions, Charton discusses how these principles are applied across Merck's diverse business units. Listen in to thoroughly examine the intersection between bioethics, trust, and AI. Jean-Enno Charton is the Chief Data and AI Officer at Merck KGAA, a global pharmaceutical and life sciences company. He chairs the Digital Ethics Advisory Panel, focusing on ethical data use and AI applications within the company. Charton led the development of Merck's Code of Digital Ethics, guiding ethical principles such as autonomy, justice, and transparency in digital initiatives. A recognized speaker on digital ethics, his work contributes to responsible data-driven technology deployment in the healthcare and life sciences sector. Merck Code of Digital Ethics IEEE Ethically Aligned Design Principle-at-Risk Analysis

May 9, 2024 • 35min
Dominique Shelton Leipzig: Building Trust When Every Company is an AI Company
Join Professor Kevin Werbach and Dominique Shelton Leipzig, an expert in data privacy and technology law, as they share practical insights on AI's transformative potential and regulatory challenges in this episode on The Road to Accountable AI. They dissect the ripple effects of recent legislation, and why setting industry standards and codifying trust in AI are more than mere legal checkboxes—they're the bedrock of innovation and integrity in business. Transitioning from theory to practice, this episode uncovers what it truly means to govern AI systems that are accurate, safe, and respectful of privacy. Kevin and Dominique navigate through the high-risk scenarios outlined by the EU and discuss how companies can future-proof their brands by adopting AI governance strategies. Dominique Shelton Leipzig is a partner and head of the Ad Tech Privacy & Data Management team and the Global Data Innovation team at the law firm Mayer Brown. She is the author of the recent book Trust: Responsible AI, Innovation, Privacy and Data Leadership. Dominique co-founded NxtWork, a non-profit aimed at diversifying leadership in corporate America, and has trained over 50,000 professionals in data privacy, AI, and data leadership. She has been named a "Legal Visionary" by the Los Angeles Times, a "Top Cyber Lawyer" by the Daily Journal, and a "Leading Lawyer" by Legal 500. Trust: Responsible AI, Innovation, Privacy and Data Leadership Mayer Brown Digital Trust Summit A Framework for Assessing AI Risk Dominique’s Data Privacy Recommendation Enacted in Biden’s EO