Business Ethics Summit 2023 with Artificial Intelligence

Yesterday, the first Business Ethics Summit took place in the picturesque setting of the Academy of Sciences, located in the Vatican City. The event, organized by Core, a company specializing in public and institutional relations, in collaboration with the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the Pontifical Lateran University and co-founder of Ethics Labs, Father Philip Larrey, brought together a delegation of leaders from around the world to discuss and explore how ethics can be applied to business decisions as a key force in environmental, technological, and social issues.

The Summit, which followed the Chatham House Rule, was opened and inaugurated by Cristiana Falcone, Board Director of Core. “The aim of this Summit – the first of its kind in Italy and designed and produced with the help of artificial intelligence,” announced Falcone, “is to share experiences of success and failure to collectively explore the role of ethics in business.” The synthesis of the discussions will become the subject of four case studies available to young people who aspire to pursue a managerial career. The agenda of the Business Ethics Summit unfolded through four sessions, around which the main issues were discussed.

John Stuart Mill, animated by artificial intelligence, announced the theme of the first session, reminding everyone that the Human Economy is not just about economic prosperity but rather the well-being of humanity as a whole. Based on this premise, participants were asked to identify the fundamental steps that companies should take to transform and compete in the era of the Human Economy.

The Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, emphasized how the Ministry of Made in Italy “identifies itself not as a place but as a model of production, a sort of globally recognized mark of excellence that places the international consumer at the center of the Italian production system.”

The second session, focused on the Tech Economy and introduced by Father Larrey, addressed how technological transformation can be implemented to reshape decision-making processes, improve operations, and drive growth while ensuring societal prosperity. In this context, the philosopher Kant, also animated by AI, reminded that “technology can be a vehicle for improving society, not undermining it. If we consider these ethical considerations, the march of progress can be guided towards the path of justice and respect for all.”

A notable contribution came from Sam Altman, a computer scientist, entrepreneur, and CEO of OpenAI, who enriched the conversation by stating, “An ethical company is also a better company. We apply high standards of safety, control, transparency, and honesty because we believe they are essential characteristics for the progress of humanity.”

The third session, focusing on the Impact Economy, began with the wise words of Confucius, who offered valuable advice to future leaders: “When passion for your profession emanates from your work, it is natural that you will be committed to your cause. But remember, it is important to communicate both your successes and your failures. Both are launching pads for growth. From capitalism to prosperity, we are transitioning from a journey of ‘more’ to a journey of ‘meaning.'”

In this context, the Minister for Sports and Youth, Dr. Andrea Abodi, highlighted how sports serve as a social immune defense, limiting negative impacts on individuals, especially the youth. “We should live in a non-confrontational way,” Minister Abodi stated, emphasizing sincerity and social generosity.

The final session of the forum focused on the Climate Economy. In this case, the philosopher Aristotle, also animated by artificial intelligence, reminded us that “the value of our natural capital, the immense wealth of nature, is intrinsic and an end in itself. But it is also instrumental, serving the prosperity of human and non-human life. Therefore, integrating the increase in natural capital into business decisions aligns with my concept of justice, of giving to each what is due to them.”

Closing the event, Salvatore Pinto, President of Axpo Italia, and Lorenzo Radice, Sustainability Manager of the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group, both partners of the Business Ethics Summit, provided statements. Radice, regarding Ferrovie dello Stato’s ethical work, declared, “The FS Group is integrating sustainability principles into its business model by reevaluating all activities, from strategic to operational. FS has included sustainable development as an objective in its statutes, aiming to create value for shareholders and stakeholders alike. The company aims to become the cornerstone of a new ecosystem of collective and shared mobility, creating infrastructure and transport services that generate benefits for people and territories. The industrial plan for the next 10 years revolves around sustainable development, addressing the climate emergency and energy crisis. Environmental and social sustainability criteria are taken into account to evaluate investments, measure corporate performance, and reward management.”

President Pinto expressed his commitment to putting ESG strategies at the center of development, stating, “Making ESG strategies a priority is undoubtedly crucial for economies worldwide. Companies, governments, and entire continents will be increasingly evaluated based on the values they uphold. As an energy operator, we are committed to exploring all the new avenues that technology provides for a greener energy generation. However, the next new challenge will be to enhance and leverage the creativity and talent of people, complemented by the opportunities offered by digitization, and drive a new and more ethical development of our planet and economies.”

The Business Ethics Summit, born from an idea by Core, was a resounding success. One of the most significant aspects was the international participation of ministers, academics, and experts from various sectors, bringing diverse expertise and perspectives to discuss highly relevant topics. The interaction among the attendees was rich in inclusive content. It was undoubtedly a stimulating and meaningful experience that we hope will have a follow-up.

For further information about the Business Ethics Summit and access to the content produced with the support of artificial intelligence, including the four thematic case studies developed in collaboration with LUMSA University, please visit the official website: http://businessethics.ai/