Can executives balance AI innovation with societal responsibility with Lord Clement-Jones

Tech Tomorrow

As artificial intelligence continues to redefine industries, the question isn’t just what we can build, but what we should. In a world of accelerating automation and algorithmic decision-making, can leaders harness innovation without losing public trust?

In this episode of Tech Tomorrow, David Elliman speaks with Lord Clement-Jones, Liberal Democrat peer, former Chair of the House of Lords AI Select Committee, and co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AI. Together, they explore how business leaders can align technological progress with human values and why doing so is not just ethical but essential for sustainable innovation.

They unpack what ‘responsible AI’ really means in practice: from explainability and human oversight to data quality, fairness, and transparent governance. Lord Clement-Jones argues that regulation, far from stifling innovation, can actually enable it by creating the trust, certainty, and accountability businesses need to adopt AI confidently.

The discussion also explores the roles of boards and executive committees, including why AI literacy is now a core competency, how to establish effective oversight mechanisms, and what it means to integrate ethics into AI design rather than retrofit it later. Drawing on his book Living with the Algorithm: Servant or Master?, Lord Clement-Jones reflects on how technology should serve humanity, not the other way around, and why progress must be measured by its benefits to people, not just profit.

Episode Highlights:

01:39 – Introducing Lord Clement-Jones.

03:45 – Why Lord Clement-Jones decided to write Living with the Algorithm: Servant or Master.

06:03 – What is the biggest risk that boards face if they don’t take into account societal responsibility in relation to AI?

07:20 – David’s thoughts: Steps boards and executives can take to ensure they implement useful and trusted AI tools.

08:39 – Defining ethical frameworks in AI.

10:21 – What sort of skill sets do boards need to help them work effectively with AI?

11:31 – What can boards and executive committees do to ensure they are implementing AI tools ethically?

13:25 – The problem with black-box solutions.

15:56 – David’s thoughts: The impossibility of retrofitting responsibility into AI systems.

17:39 – Changing the culture around AI implementation.

20:06 – Why Lord Clement-Jones included the subtitle Servant or Master in his book title.

23:14 – David’s thoughts: The three pillars of responsible AI.

25:26 – The current political landscape and how AI regulation fits into it.

27:16 – Can executives balance AI innovation with societal responsibility?

About Zühlke:

Zühlke is a global transformation partner, with engineering and innovation at its core. We help clients envision and build their businesses for the future – running smarter today while adapting for tomorrow’s markets, customers, and communities.

Our multidisciplinary teams specialise in technology strategy and business innovation, digital solutions and applications, and device and systems engineering. We thrive in complex, regulated sectors such as healthcare and finance, connecting strategy, implementation, and operations to help clients build more effective and resilient businesses.

Links:

• Zühlke Website
• Zühlke on LinkedIn
• David Elliman on LinkedIn
• Lord Clement-Jones Website
• Living with the Algorithm: Servant or Master? AI Governance and Policy for the Future