Listen Challenge Debate: Ethics: navigating the legal complexities of an ever-evolving landscape

Listen Challenge Debate: Ethics: navigating the legal complexities of an ever-evolving landscape

Kerryn Arnott, AI Ethics & Governance Specialist and Kathryn Higgs, ESG & Business Integrity Advisor led an engaging discussion on the complexity of ethical decision-making, the changing role of legal professionals, and the necessity for organizations to prioritise ethical governance in today's global landscape.

Here are the key takeaways:

Ethics is a cornerstone and interacts with every aspect of the legal function. Depending on where you are in the world, there are diverse definitions on ethics, making it difficult to define universally.

As ethics evolves over time, it becomes influenced by societal changes and legal frameworks. Staying up to date or horizon scanning becomes paramount to avoid ethical missteps.

The role of the GC is very different compared to what it was historically. GCs are perceived as enablers in helping companies succeed, by anticipating challenges and understanding diverse perspectives to guide legal teams so they become carriers of culture.

With the rise in AI, organisations need to carefully consider ethical implications in areas such as recruitment and decision making. It’s important to understand the risks and regulations for a responsible AI deployment.

In-house legal professionals should prioritise creating value-based organisations and aligning ethics with company values. Frameworks like anti-bribery and corruption principles can potentially be used to guide ethical decision making.

With the rise in AI, organisations need to carefully consider ethical implications in areas such as recruitment and decision making. It’s important to understand the risks and regulations for a responsible AI deployment.

Communication is key. Having transparency, addressing ethical crises, and taking responsibility goes a long way.

Companies are afraid of reputational fallout. Executives tend to want to fix problems straight away which might lead to more negative outcomes. The best way to overcome this is by adopting an effective management process. Some tips:
o Stay calm.
o Make sure you have a framework to address the issues with the right skills, so you have an investigation procedure.
o Contain confidentiality appropriately.
o Take every report seriously, review it thoroughly so you don’t rush to a judgement (less haste, more speed).

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