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By Chris Torney

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have the potential to offer significant benefits and opportunities to businesses, from greater efficiency and productivity to transformational insights into customer behaviour and business performance. But it is vital that firms take into account a number of ethical considerations when incorporating this technology into their business operations. 

The adoption of AI is still in its infancy and, in many countries, there are few clear rules governing how companies should utilise the technology. However, experts say that firms of all sizes, from small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to international corporations, need to ensure their implementation of AI-based solutions is as fair and transparent as possible. Failure to do so can harm relationships with customers and employees, and risks causing serious reputational damage as well as loss of trust.

What are the main ethical considerations around AI?

According to Pierluigi Casale, professor in AI at the Open Institute of Technology, the adoption of AI brings serious ethical considerations that have the potential to affect employees, customers and suppliers. “Fairness, transparency, privacy, accountability, and workforce impact are at the core of these challenges,” Casale explains. “Bias remains one of AI’s biggest risks: models trained on historical data can reinforce discrimination, and this can influence hiring, lending and decision-making.”

Part of the problem, he adds, is that many AI systems operate as ‘black boxes’, which makes their decision-making process hard to understand or interpret. “Without clear explanations, customers may struggle to trust AI-driven services; for example, employees may feel unfairly assessed when AI is used for performance reviews.”

Casale points out that data privacy is another major concern. “AI relies on vast datasets, increasing the risk of breaches or misuse,” he says. “All companies operating in Europe must comply with regulations such as GDPR and the AI Act, ensuring responsible data handling to protect customers and employees.”

A third significant ethical consideration is the potential impact of AI and automation on current workforces. Businesses may need to think about their responsibilities in terms of employees who are displaced by technology, for example by introducing training programmes that will help them make the transition into new roles.

Olivia Gambelin, an AI ethicist and the founder of advisory network Ethical Intelligence, says the AI-related ethical considerations are likely to be specific to each business and the way it plans to use the technology. “It really does depend on the context,” she explains. “You’re not going to find a magical checklist of five things to consider on Google: you actually have to do the work, to understand what you are building.”

This means business leaders need to work out how their organisation’s use of AI is going to impact the people – the customers and employees – that come into contact with it, Gambelin says. “Being an AI-enabled company means nothing if your employees are unhappy and fearful of their jobs, and being an AI-enabled service provider means nothing if it’s not actually connecting with your customers.”

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OPIT – Open Institute of Technology, an innovative global online university, has announced the launch of OPIT AI Copilot, an advanced artificial intelligence assistant designed to revolutionize digital learning. This groundbreaking development is expected to significantly enhance access and support for its current and future students from across Africa.

With over 350 students from 80+ countries – including a growing number from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya – OPIT’s new AI Copilot provides a real-time, personalized educational experience that adapts to each student’s learning journey. It is one of the first European institutions to introduce such a deeply integrated AI system into its learning platform.

The AI Copilot has been meticulously trained on over 3,500 hours of OPIT course video content, 131 courses, and 320 assessments developed over the past three years. Thanks to this rich archive, it can offer highly contextual guidance, link directly to relevant sources, and adjust its support based on a student’s progress in their course modules.

“This is a game-changer for working professionals and students across Africa who are balancing education with careers and family responsibilities,” said Riccardo Ocleppo, Founder and Director of OPIT. “It provides flexible, 24/7 access to mentorship and course support, helping our students overcome barriers of distance, time zones, and academic complexity.”

The AI Copilot goes beyond student assistance. During examinations, it automatically shifts into “anti-cheating mode”, restricting direct answers and acting as a basic research tool, ensuring academic integrity while still encouraging self-driven learning. For faculty at OPIT, the AI Copilot provides tools to automate grading, generate learning materials, and offer feedback rubrics that can reduce assessment time by up to 30%, allowing more time for personalized instruction and curriculum design.

Unveiled at the “AI Agents and the Future of Higher Education” event hosted by Microsoft in Milan, the launch brought together top minds from global academic institutions, including IE University, the Royal College of Art, and others. The event highlighted the transformative potential of AI in education, not as a shortcut but as a pedagogical shift.

“AI is now the environment in which we learn. But it brings cultural and ethical responsibilities,” said Professor Francesco Profumo, Rector of OPIT and former Italian Minister of Education. “We must build responsible bridges between human and artificial intelligence.”

With mobile-first transactions, communications, and learning on the rise across Africa, OPIT has also confirmed the upcoming launch of a mobile app this autumn. The app will allow students to download exercises, summaries, and concept maps, making high-quality, AI-enhanced education more accessible to learners across the continent, even for those with limited connectivity.

Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is an accredited global online university offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in software engineering, AI, data science, and digital innovation. Committed to accessible and career-relevant education, OPIT is building a future-ready academic model powered by technology and global inclusion.

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B&FT Online: OPIT unveils AI Copilot to transform online learning for African students
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Open Institute of Technology (OPIT), an innovative global online university, has announced the launch of OPIT AI Copilot, an advanced artificial intelligence assistant designed to revolutionize digital learning.

This groundbreaking development is expected to significantly enhance access and support for its current and future students from across Africa.

With over 350 students from 80+ countries – including a growing number from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya – OPIT’s new AI Copilot provides a real-time, personalized educational experience that adapts to each student’s learning journey. It is one of the first European institutions to introduce such a deeply integrated AI system into its learning platform.

The AI Copilot has been meticulously trained on over 3,500 hours of OPIT course video content, 131 courses, and 320 assessments developed over the past three years. Thanks to this rich archive, it can offer highly contextual guidance, link directly to relevant sources, and adjust its support based on a student’s progress in their course modules.

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The AI Copilot goes beyond student assistance. During examinations, it automatically shifts into “anti-cheating mode”, restricting direct answers and acting as a basic research tool, ensuring academic integrity while still encouraging self-driven learning.

For faculty at OPIT, the AI Copilot provides tools to automate grading, generate learning materials, and offer feedback rubrics that can reduce assessment time by up to 30 percent, allowing more time for personalized instruction and curriculum design.

Unveiled at the ‘AI Agents and the Future of Higher Education’ event hosted by Microsoft in Milan, the launch brought together top minds from global academic institutions, including IE University, the Royal College of Art, and others. The event highlighted the transformative potential of AI in education, not as a shortcut but as a pedagogical shift.

“AI is now the environment in which we learn. But it brings cultural and ethical responsibilities,” said Professor Francesco Profumo, Rector of OPIT and former Italian Minister of Education. “We must build responsible bridges between human and artificial intelligence.”

With mobile-first transactions, communications, and learning on the rise across Africa, OPIT has also confirmed the upcoming launch of a mobile app this autumn. The app will allow students to download exercises, summaries, and concept maps, making high-quality, AI-enhanced education more accessible to learners across the continent, even for those with limited connectivity.

Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is an accredited global online university offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in software engineering, AI, data science, and digital innovation. Committed to accessible and career-relevant education, OPIT is building a future-ready academic model powered by technology and global inclusion.

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