The global race to deploy AI is accelerating, but Suvianna Grecu, Founder of the AI for Change Foundation, warns that prioritising speed over governance could lead to a “trust crisis.” The danger, she says, isn’t AI itself—it’s the lack of robust structures to guide its rollout.
Powerful algorithms are increasingly making decisions about hiring, loans, healthcare, and even criminal justice, often without adequate bias testing or consideration of societal consequences. For many organisations, “AI ethics” is still a statement of values rather than an operational reality. Grecu stresses that accountability begins when a person—not just a policy—is responsible for outcomes.
Turning ethics into action
Grecu’s approach focuses on embedding ethical safeguards into development from the start. She advocates for concrete tools like design checklists, pre-deployment risk assessments, and cross-functional review boards that unite legal, technical, and policy expertise.
Her philosophy: treat ethical AI as a business-critical process, with clear ownership and repeatable, transparent procedures. The goal is to move ethics from theory to something tangible and measurable in daily work.
Shared responsibility between government and industry
Grecu believes governance can’t rest solely on regulators or corporations. Governments should set legal baselines and protect fundamental rights, while industry pushes beyond compliance through innovation, advanced auditing tools, and new safeguards.
Leaving rules entirely to lawmakers risks slowing progress, but leaving them to companies alone risks abuse. “Collaboration is the only sustainable route forward,” she says.
Protecting values in the AI era
Looking further ahead, Grecu highlights subtler risks—like emotional manipulation—that could undermine personal autonomy. She rejects the idea that AI is neutral, noting that systems reflect the data, objectives, and incentives we give them. Without deliberate intervention, AI will optimise for efficiency, scale, and profit—not justice, dignity, or democracy.
For Europe, she sees a chance to embed values such as human rights, transparency, sustainability, and fairness at every stage—policy, design, and deployment. The aim isn’t to slow innovation but to ensure technology evolves in alignment with human priorities.
Building a future people can trust
Through her foundation’s workshops and leadership at the AI & Big Data Expo Europe, Grecu is working to ensure AI remains human-centred. Her message is clear: we must shape AI’s trajectory now, before it shapes us.
