“AI can do great things, but it also carries the potential for misuse”

PJ Bishop, Vice President of Partners and Alliances at Sage, delivered an insightful presentation at the IT Summit 2024 in Mauritius. His address centered on the theme of responsible AI, emphasizing its transformative potential and the importance of ethical considerations in its deployment.

He highlighted Sage’s mission to break down barriers so businesses can thrive, particularly focusing on small and medium enterprises in the accounting, payroll, and HR sectors. “We’ve invested in the Mauritian region for many years, and now we have a much stronger partnership and footprint with Axiz as our distributor in the region”, he noted.

Reflecting on the rapid evolution of AI, PJ Bishop recounted his experience presenting on the same topic, in February 2020, in Orlando. “When I reviewed my presentation from then, I realized that although the topic is the same, the context has changed dramatically in just a few years. Generative AI, which we now take for granted, didn’t even exist in the same way back then.”

He emphasized the dual nature of AI, stating that “with great power comes great responsibility. This ancient proverb is more relevant than ever. AI can do great things, but it also carries the potential for misuse. As tech leaders, we must socialize the responsibility of AI and promote its positive applications.“

The future of our planet is in our hands. The power of technology is at your disposal. There is no limit to what we can achieve

PJ Bishop shared a compelling example of AI’s practical benefits. “One of our customers used AI to analyze payroll leave transactions, and discovered a pattern of illness linked to a specific resin mold in their manufacturing process. This insight led to identifying a harmful chemical, ultimately improving worker safety. This shows how AI can be used responsibly to make a positive impact,” he explained.

However, he also acknowledged the potential for AI misuse, such as illegal mining and resource exploitation driven by AI-generated data. “We must balance the positive outcomes with vigilance against abuse,” he urged.

He stressed the importance of integrating AI into company culture, arguing that “AI needs to be trained, used, and absorbed into the culture of companies to be effective. The more we use and refine AI, the more practical and useful it becomes.” He also highlighted Sage’s innovations, such as continuous accounting and employment verification, which leverage AI to provide real-time financial information and prevent unscrupulous lending practices.

PJ Bishop called on attendees to take responsibility for the AI journey. “Every one of us here has a responsibility to ensure that AI is developed responsibly. We must use the technologies and resources available to us to guide AI towards a positive future.”

He concluded with a powerful call to action. “The future of our planet is in our hands. The power of technology is at your disposal. There is no limit to what we can achieve. Let’s ensure we promote this message on social media and create awareness. Together, we can carve out a responsible path for AI.”