This week’s episode of my podcast Beneficial Intelligence is about doing the right thing. Google started out with a motto of “Don’t be evil” but that has fallen by the wayside. Occasionally, employees can enforce a change as when they stopped working on military AI. But Google doesn’t seem terribly committed, and their Ethical AI Team is falling apart after they fired the head researcher.
Amazon never promised not to be evil, and they are forcing their delivery drivers to do 10-hour graveyard shifts starting before sunrise and going until mid-day. They are trying to avoid tired drivers causing accidents by installing cameras and AI in the vans so the computer can detect when the worker is falling asleep behind the wheel and can wake him up.
As a CIO, you’re engaged in a war for talent. But you also need to meet your budget, implement hot new technologies like AI and maintain IT security. There is always an opportunity to cut a corner, roll out inadequately tested technology or squeeze employees so you can hit your goals this quarter. But if you want to be able to attract and keep top IT talent, you need to do the right thing.
Listen here or find “Beneficial Intelligence” wherever you get your podcasts.
