How a strong board of directors keeps AI companies on an ethical path

Following the corporate corruption scandals of the early 2000s, then-Securities and Exchange Commission chairman William Donaldson said determining the company's moral DNA "should be the foundation on which the Board builds a corporate culture based on a philosophy of high ethical standards and accountability." Today's crisis of confidence in technology companies, especially those controlling deep pools of data and developing and deploying artificial intelligence, not only demands more responsible engineers, entrepreneurs, and executives but more assertive boards who make ethics and the public interest strategic priorities. Board of directors' responsibilities include hiring, firing, and holding the CEO's feet to the fire, as well as approving and overseeing the company's strategy and ensuring the integrity of company financials. Boards must also set a tone at the top of ethics and responsible business practices. Norms and standards are still emerging; laws, regulations, and legal precedent are scarce; and pressure groups are still finding their voice and translating concerns into actionable demands.