Staying in the Driver’s Seat: Ethical AI and Leadership in Practice - EP02
The In-Between Tech and Trust PodcastShow Notes
“Slow trust builds faster futures.”
with Stefan Schoepfel, Founder of the Value AI Institute
In this episode of the in-between trust podcast, Eva Simone Lihotzky speaks with Stefan Schoepfel, founder of the Value AI Institute, about how we lead—and trust—in an era shaped by intelligent systems. They explore what it means to embed ethical principles, emotional intelligence, and leadership clarity into AI development and deployment. Stefan shares why trust must take a much larger space in the conversation, how unlearning linear thinking unlocks innovation, and how responsibility must move beyond compliance toward genuine accountability. From governance to culture, this episode is a call to stay human—and stay in the driver’s seat.
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🔑 Takeaways Trust is foundational for user acceptance and systemic success.
Ethical principles must guide both design and deployment.
AI leadership requires emotional intelligence and clear oversight.
Organizations must embed ethics into processes—not just policies.
Responsible tech can support sustainability and the societal good.
Unlearning linear thinking is key to adapting and leading.
Ongoing trust-building requires visibility and cultural buy-in.
AI systems must always include human-in-the-loop safeguards.
Compliance should enable—not hinder—innovation.
Don’t let tech steer blindly—stay in control.
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🎙️ Sound Bites “Trust needs to take a much larger space.” “AI must comply with ethical principles.” “Stay in the driver's seat with technology.” “Unlearning is as vital as innovation.” “Leadership in AI means embracing ambiguity.”
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⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Trust and AI 02:21 – The Value AI Institute: Mission and Goals 05:28 – The Importance of Trust in AI 09:46 – Ethical Principles and Responsible AI Design 11:20 – Implementing Ethical AI in Organizations 14:06 – The Role of Leadership in AI Systems 16:20 – Building Trust in Teams and Systems 18:07 – Navigating Leadership Challenges with AI 19:24 – The Impact of AI on Ethical Usage 22:50 – AI for Societal Good and Sustainability 25:45 – Unlearning Linear Thinking in AI 28:19 – Embracing Ambiguity in AI Leadership 29:33 – Key Takeaways on Technology and Trust
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🧩 Keywords AI, trust, ethical AI, Value AI Institute, leadership, responsible tech, societal good, emotional intelligence, organizational culture, ambiguity, unlearning, governance
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