Building Ethics, Transparency, and Responsibility into AI Systems
I recently read a Gallup Poll that clearly shows Gen Z are concerned about the growth of AI and the need for more and more data centers to process the data. They’re also concerned about the loss of jobs as AI takes over more and more functions in the workplace.This is worrisome because the Chinese government seeks to become the world leader in AI and they are getting there more quickly than our government admits. As stated in the poll results, “While a steady 51% of Gen Zers in the U.S. report using generative artificial intelligence at least weekly, negative emotions toward it have intensified over the past year. Anger about the technology has risen, while excitement and hopefulness have dropped. Even daily AI users, who generally hold more favorable views of AI, have not become more positive, according to a new survey by the Walton Family Foundation, GSV Ventures and Gallup. Employed Gen Zers echo these concerns relative to the workplace, as more say the risks of AI outweigh its benefits, and trust in AI-assisted work is lower than in exclusively human output.”
Use of AI By Gen Z
According to the survey, Gen Z’s use of generative AI in everyday life has been largely stable since March 2025. About half (51%) of 14- to 29-year-olds continue to say they use AI either daily (22%) or weekly (29%), while 11% report using it monthly, 20% every few months, and 19% say they never use it. Gen Zers’ feelings about AI are closely tied to how frequently they use it. Among daily users, 69% report feeling curious, 44% excited and 38% hopeful about the technology. This compares with 28% who are curious among those who never use AI, along with 4% excited and 2% hopeful. Meanwhile, negative emotions about AI are far more prevalent among nonusers, with 60% reporting anxiety and 59% anger, compared with 28% and 18%, respectively, among daily users.”
The most surprising result from my perspective is that Gen Zers are less inclined than they were in 2025 to believe AI improves efficiency in learning and completing tasks. The 56% of Gen Z who now agree or strongly agree that AI tools can help expedite work is down 10 points from 2025, while agreement that AI can accelerate learning has fallen seven points, to 46%. How can this be? What are the implications for ethics in the workplace and trust in AI systems.
Employed Gen Zers are more than three times as likely to say the risks of AI in the workforce (48%) outweigh the potential benefits than to say the reverse (15%), while 37% view them as roughly equal. This reflects a more negative outlook than a year ago, when 37% saw greater risks and 20% greater benefits. The fact that risks outweigh benefits leads me to believe that there is a lack of understanding about what AI can do and how it accomplishes its goal.
Ethical Risks of Using AI
A Harvard University study points to five “Ethical Considerations of AI in Business.”
- Digital Amplification.This can involve algorithms:
- Prioritizing certain information
- Shaping public opinion
- Amplifying specific voices
- Algorithmic Bias.This is systematic discrimination that can occur when AI decision-making is influenced by prejudiced data, resulting in unfair outcomes like:
- Discriminatory hiring
- Unequal access to resources
- Workplace bias
- Cybersecurity Cybersecurity challenges include:
- Phishing: An online scam where cybercriminals disguise themselves as a legitimate individual or organization to trick you into revealing personal information or financial data
- Malware: A combination of “malicious” and “software,” it’s a program used to gain unauthorized access to companies’ IT systems to steal data, disrupt services, or take control
- Ransomware: A type of malware, ransomware prohibits individuals from accessing their data by encrypting their files and demanding a ransom payment to restore them4. Privacy. Ethical concerns around AI privacy focus on collecting, storing, and using employee data. AI systems can analyze vast amounts of personal and professional information, which must be properly protected to avoid privacy violations, unauthorized access, and misuse.
- Privacy. Ethical concerns around AI privacy focus on collecting, storing, and using employee data. AI systems can analyze vast amounts of personal and professional information, which must be properly protected to avoid privacy violations, unauthorized access, and misuse.
- Inclusiveness. Inclusion is vital in business. Whether it’s integrating various groups in decision-making or accepting diverse opinions and ideas in the workplace, inclusion aims to maintain balance.
According to the Deloitte’s 2026 State of AI in the Enterprise report around 60% of workers are now equipped with sanctioned AI tools. One of AI’s greatest strengths is its ability to take a deep dive into massive quantities of data and provide insights. As a result, leaders can use AI features, such as predictive analysis, in decision-making and strategic planning. Using historical data and current trends, AI can forecast future shifts and demands in the market so you can make objective, data-driven choices.
Global Considerations
According to Work Human, “Generative AI is an especially promising technology for businesses because it enables automation. According to a 2024 survey by Bain & Company on Generative AI, nearly 90% of companies have already deployed or are piloting generative AI.
The U.S. and China control 90% of global computing power, attract between 70% and 80% of global investment in AI, and have huge concentrations of talented AI researchers. That creates a world in which other countries are dependent on the U.S. and China for access to AI systems.
The first U.N. General Assembly resolution on AI was about the need for safe, secure and trustworthy AI systems, and the application of human rights to AI. There was also a resolution on international cooperation in AI capacity-building. However, the results are lagging about what is needed to ensure that AI is applied ethically.
Blog posted by Steven Mintz, PhD, professor emeritus from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, on September 3, 2026. You can contact Steve at: smintz@calpoly.edu. Visit his website to learn more about his activities.