When Values Clash with Technology
The tech headlines lately have been troubling, to say the least. Major AI companies and their leaders are making statements and taking actions that raise serious questions about their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
From comments about workplace culture needing "more masculine energy" to the dismantling of DEI programs at major tech companies, we're witnessing a concerning trend. As someone deeply invested in creating ethical AI solutions, I find myself wrestling with a fundamental question:
How do we navigate a world where the tools we increasingly depend on are being shaped by values that may not align with our own?
AI is Here to Stay - Now What?
Whether you want to believe it or not: AI is no longer optional. It's becoming woven into the fabric of how business operates, how information flows, and how decisions are made. Even if you personally choose not to use AI tools, AI tools are shaping the world around you.
This reality creates a challenging tension. Do we:
Vote with our wallets by exclusively supporting AI platforms built with ethical frameworks and diverse teams?
Work within mainstream systems to influence them from the inside, using our voices to help shape how these technologies evolve?
This isn't just an academic question. It affects real business decisions about which tools to invest in, which skills to develop, and how to position yourself and your organisation in an AI-transformed landscape.
The Overlooked Power Dynamic
There's another dimension to this conversation that often goes unmentioned. Women, especially in business and technology, frequently shoulder an unfair burden when it comes to ethical decisions.
We're expected to prioritise social good over profit, to justify our ambitions in terms of helping others, and to ensure our business practices are beyond reproach ethically — all while competing in marketplaces where others aren't held to the same standards.
So here is my perspectie, that may surprise you: Your success matters in its own right.
If AI tools help your business scale, if they give you back precious time, if they help you create more value for your customers and community — that positive impact is valid and important, regardless of which platform you choose to use.
I will always advocate for people making informed decisions, but I also want to give you permission to lift the weight of the world off your shoulders. You do not have to be perfect, or make perfect decisions, in order for the universe to benefit from having you in it.
You are enough.
I believe women and ethically-minded people using AI to raise their profiles, realise their dreams, and to ultimately take up space, is worthy in it’s own right. Regardless of the actual tool and its virtues (or perhaps lackthereof).
The Education Gap
One of the most troubling aspects of the current AI landscape is the proliferation of AI education that lacks substance. When someone teaches AI without understanding its technical foundations, ethical implications, or real-world applications, they're not creating empowered users — they're creating uninformed consumers.
True AI literacy requires understanding:
How these systems actually work (beyond just prompting)
What genuine risks exist and how to mitigate them
The ethical frameworks that should guide implementation
The real-world stakes of getting it wrong
This education gap is why I'm so passionate about ensuring people learn AI from qualified sources who understand both the technical and ethical dimensions.
Finding Your Path Forward
Recently, I participated in a AI EXPERTS on POLTICITAL CLIMATE roundtable discussion with other women in AI leadership roles, focusing on exactly this tension between boycotting problematic platforms versus working within them to drive change.
While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, I shared a perspective that resonated deeply: We don't need to individually carry the entire weight of fixing the AI ethics problem.
Instead, we can:
Make thoughtful choices about which platforms align with our values
Use our voices and influence within platforms to challenge biases
Focus on creating positive impact in our spheres of influence
Support and amplify diverse voices in AI development
The Power of Collective Action
Perhaps the most important insight is that AI systems learn from how they're used. Every prompt, every interaction, and every piece of feedback shapes how these systems evolve.
This means that collectively, users have tremendous power. When diverse voices actively engage with these platforms — asking different questions, challenging problematic outputs, and providing alternative perspectives — we help shape AI's development trajectory.
So while the leadership at major AI companies matters enormously, the collective influence of mindful, diverse users may matter just as much in the long run.
Moving Forward with Intention
I don't pretend to have perfect answers to these complex questions. The ethical landscape of AI will continue to evolve, and so will our individual and collective responses to it.
What I do know is that informed, thoughtful engagement is better than either uncritical adoption or complete abstention. By understanding the systems, recognising the ethical dimensions, and making conscious choices about how we engage, we can help shape a more inclusive AI future.
How are you navigating these tensions in your own work and life? Have recent statements or actions by tech leaders changed how you approach AI tools? I'd love to hear your perspective on finding your path through this complex landscape.
To learn more about ethical AI implementation and developing AI literacy that encompasses both technical skills and ethical frameworks, explore our AI education resources at Ai Her Way.
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