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The Ethics Center has received a grant from the Ford Foundation and Omidyar Network to study whether building trusted artificial intelligence (AI) practices into a company’s products and operations influences acquisition outcomes.
The study will investigate whether “trusted AI” practices—policies and controls around privacy, security, digital rights, fairness, workforce, and environmental impact—affect acquisition outcomes. It will test whether companies that demonstrate these practices see smoother diligence, fewer roadblocks, and stronger results when they are acquired.
“With the Markkula Center’s focus on applied ethics, this effort will provide investors with actionable insights into the material impact of trusted AI practices,” said Don Heider, executive director. “Findings from the research will be translated into guidance for asset allocators, helping them manage AI risk and mitigate unintended outcomes.”
“This grant allows us to examine whether building trust into AI products and operations influences acquisition outcomes,” said Tracy Barba, director of venture ethics. “For the venture community, where M&A accounts for most exits and AI is drawing an unprecedented share of investment, understanding how trust affects deal dynamics is both timely and important.”