According to our most recent surveys, around 75% of companies globally are giving preference to artificial intelligence over other digital investments. They do so with the goal of strengthening their ability to adapt to changing needs and environmental challenges, to create new opportunities to innovate and generate progress. The scope of action ranges from the use of predictive and prescriptive models to improve intelligence in decision making, to the deployment of advanced generative artificial intelligence technologies for the creation of original content in different business processes.

In the wake of the Chat GTP boom, global leaders and managers agree that Generative AI is changing the way we live and work. This technology enables improved productivity, automates information processing tasks and, above all, frees up people's time to focus on creativity, innovation, informed decision making and the development of new talent and new jobs. However, along with the opportunities, the risks are also increasing.

The big question is, therefore, how can businesses and government agencies together mitigate the potential negative effects of misuse of artificial intelligence, while still taking advantage of all the opportunities it offers?

At Accenture, we believe that responsibility is the fundamental pillar on which any artificial intelligence (AI) strategy is built. Our experience has shown us this: we have integrated a responsible AI program into our use, development and deployment of this technology, both internally and in the work we do for our clients.

However, at this critical time, only 6% of organizations feel fully prepared to responsibly manage this constantly evolving technology.

The four pillars on which we think responsible artificial intelligence should be based are:

• Principles and governance: Organizations must define and articulate a responsible AI mission and principles, while putting in place a transparent governance structure that drives trust in this technology.
• Risks, policies and control: strengthen regulatory compliance with current laws while monitoring future ones, develop internal policies that mitigate risks and are implemented through a risk management framework with regular monitoring.
• Technology and other enablers: having tools and methodologies that enable the application of principles such as fairness, transparency, robustness, traceability and privacy in artificial intelligence systems and platforms.
• Corporate culture and training: the widespread use of AI will mean gradual changes in the way we perform tasks, and this is a major concern. Some jobs will increase their levels of automation, others will multiply the need to be more creative, and new jobs will also be created. There are, therefore, great opportunities awaiting if companies are committed to training their professionals. In addition, the organization's leaders, starting with the CEO, must take advantage of the momentum of responsible AI to move towards a more sustainable business culture.

In short, we believe that responsible artificial intelligence is not only a moral imperative, but also a business imperative, essential for building trust with customers, employees and other stakeholders.

How to harness the full potential of Generative AI

The early leadership we have taken at Accenture globally by integrating Generative AI into our own organization has allowed us to identify four other key ingredients, in addition to responsible artificial intelligence, to successfully implement this technology:

1. Governance: decisions around the areas in which AI is applied are made in the executive committee that includes the company's CEO.
2. Ecosystem: we establish deep relationships with an ecosystem of AI partners (from platform providers to model developers to startups and academia, which, I would like to highlight, is playing an exceptional role in the most recent advances).
3. Talent: We have talent that knows the technology and has experience in different industries and functions. Likewise, all professionals need to know how AI will be deployed and how to use it responsibly.
4. Scope: we integrate Generative AI gradually both in our service offerings to clients and in all the processes that make our own company work.

In short, we are at a turning point where business leaders must rise to the challenge. Artificial intelligence, properly developed, not only reduces risks, but can also be decisive in improving the functioning of organizations and the well-being of society.

The only way forward is through collaboration, so that together we can lay the foundations for a technology with enormous potential for value creation and sustainable progress for business, society and the planet.