The Road to Accountable AI Kevin Werbach

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
 

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
 

Join Professor Werbach and Dragos Tudorache, co-rapporteur of the EU AI Act and one of the most essential AI policymakers in the world, to discuss the world's urgent need for AI regulation and collaboration. They discuss the nuances of the Act's attempt to balance mitigating risk and fostering innovation and dissect the legislation's approach to ensuring trust in AI through technology-neutral language and adaptable mechanisms. Next, they examine the Act's strategic focus on high-risk AI applications, filling gaps not covered by existing EU tech regulations like GDPR and the Digital Services Act. The conversation delves into the rapid integration of generative AI provisions into the Act, its enforcement challenges similar to those experienced with GDPR, and the critical importance of global coordination in AI policy. Tudorache contrasts AI policies between the EU and the US and offers practical advice for businesses preparing for the AI Act's implementation. The discussion also touches on the potential need for future regulations, providing critical insights for stakeholders in the AI sector.
Dragos Tudorache, a Romanian member of the European Parliament and a key figure in European AI policy, has significantly shaped the discourse around AI regulation since his election in 2019. His dedicated leadership in chairing the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Age (AIDA) set the groundwork for critical legislative efforts. As one of the two principal negotiators of the EU's pioneering AI Act, Tudorache played an instrumental role in crafting the first comprehensive AI law globally. 
EU AI Act
Washington Post calls Dragos Tudorache "The Smartest Politician on AI"  
 

In this episode, Professor Kevin Werbach and Dr. Richard Benjamins, former Chief Responsible AI Officer at Telefónica, discuss Telefónica's journey towards responsible AI, corporate strategies to address these challenges, and Benjamins' views on generative AI and the European AI Act. They explore the role of the Responsible AI Champion in embedding ethical practices across business functions and discuss the dynamics of AI ethics committees, which vary from permission-based to problem-based frameworks. Their conversation highlights the scarcity of AI ethics expertise and the diverse requirements for ethical oversight depending on a company's AI integration level. Benjamins' insights significantly enhance understanding of the global AI regulatory landscape and its future implications.
Dr. Richard Benjamins is a leading expert in responsible AI, previously serving as Chief Responsible AI Officer and Chief AI and Data Strategist at Telefónica. Recognized among the top 100 influential figures in data-driven business, he co-founded OdiseIA, an observatory focused on the ethical and social impacts of AI. His career highlights include being the Group Chief Data Officer at AXA and holding key roles at Telefónica, contributing extensively to Big Data and Analytics. Dr. Benjamins founded Telefónica's Big Data for Social Good department, showcasing his commitment to leveraging data for societal benefits. With an academic background in Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, he has also been involved in academia and research across the globe. His advisory role at BigML underscores his dedication to making machine learning more accessible. His projects have ranged from environmental efforts like air quality measurement in Madrid to healthcare advancements during the pandemic, embodying his advocacy for responsible use of AI to address both current and future challenges in the field.
The AI Way in Telefónica
UNESCO Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Telefónica’s Approach to the Use of Responsible AI 
From AI Principles to Responsible AI: Challenges
EU AI Act
 

Join Professor Kevin Werbach and Elham Tabassi, Associate Director for Emerging Technologies at NIST, as they explore the nuances of the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (RMF). Their discussion illuminates the science of measurement, the challenges of operationalizing legal and governance requirements for AI, and the pursuit of standards for trustworthy AI. During the conversation, they delve into the diverse challenges businesses face when adopting the AI RMF and how the Trustworthy AI Resource Center serves as a critical tool to keeping entities at the forefront of technology. They examine the intricate task of measuring AI systems, tackling biases of all kinds, and overcoming the socio-technical barriers that influence the development of standards. With NIST’s non-regulatory role fostering transformative policies, the discussion offers insights into the responsible growth of AI technologies, setting the stage for a future where AI safety and trustworthiness are tangible realities.
Elham Tabassi is Associate Director of Emerging Technologies at NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the US Commerce Department, and Chief Technologist of the US government’s new AI Safety Institute. She was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in AI, because of her role in the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, or RMF.
Elham Tabassi: Time 100 Most Influential People in AI
NIST AI Risk Management Framework v. 1.0
Road Map for the AI Risk Management Framework
Fact Sheet: Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence
 

Join Professor Werbach and Reid Blackman, the founder of Virtue and author of ‘Ethical Machines,’ to unravel the fabric of ethical responsibilities in AI development. They navigate the transition from 'AI ethics' to 'responsible AI,' debunking the myth that ethics is just a matter of opinion and showcasing how it can be both objective and actionable. The conversation addresses the ethical pitfalls of AI, such as biases and privacy concerns, emphasizing that these issues often arise from the technology itself. They explore strategies for promoting ethical AI within organizations, including the implementation of robust policies and risk committees. Highlighting the tension between ethics and profitability, the episode also celebrates AI's potential to improve efficiency. The pivotal role of expert guidance in leading companies toward responsible AI use is underscored, painting a future where technology enhances human capabilities ethically.
Reid Blackman, Ph.D. and founder of Virtue Consultants, leverages his philosophy background to infuse AI development and deployment with ethical considerations, aiming to mitigate risks such as bias, privacy violations, and the opacity of AI systems. Through Virtue, he operationalizes ethics in technology by embedding cross-functional teams into companies' product development and corporate culture, addressing both theoretical and practical challenges. His work spans advising prominent organizations like AWS, the FBI, NASA, and the World Economic Forum, showcasing his extensive influence in promoting responsible AI practices across various sectors.
Reid's book Ethical Machines
The EU's AI Act and How Companies Can Achieve Compliance 
How to Avoid the Ethical Nightmares of Emerging Technology
Reid's podcast