Artificial Intelligence: Governance, Ethics, and Sustainability – An Open Debate

The event “What if AIs Dreamed of Artificial Sheep?”, organized by the Club of Digital Innovation, brought together industry experts, academics, and professionals to reflect on the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ethical, business, and technological contexts. The discussion featured prominent speakers such as Juan Carlos De Martin (Politecnico di Torino), Guido Boella (Vice-Rector of the University of Turin and Co-founder of the Italian Society for AI Ethics - SIPAEI), and Valeria Lazzaroli (Chairperson of the National Agency for Artificial Intelligence - ENIA).

Innovation Cycles and the Centralization of Technological Power

Juan Carlos De Martin took a historical and critical approach, noting that the hype cycle around AI is not new but rather part of a recurring technological wave. He referenced past trends such as cloud computing, big data, and blockchain, which, after initial enthusiasm, also revealed their limitations.

"Silicon Valley continually launches waves of innovation that dominate the media and public discourse. However, it is crucial to maintain a critical perspective: AI is not a new phenomenon; it has existed for decades and has gone through multiple phases of evolution."

A crucial issue discussed was the centralization of technology, where a handful of companies (Google, Amazon, Microsoft, OpenAI) control AI infrastructure and models. This raises concerns about whether AI can become more distributed and democratic.

"We are digitizing the world in an extremely centralized way. But could we imagine a different future, with more distributed and accessible technologies?"

AI Ethics: A Political Issue

The discussion then shifted to AI ethics, led by Guido Boella, who explained the motivations behind the founding of the Italian Society for AI Ethics. He highlighted how AI technology, often driven by transhumanist narratives and media hype, is marketed as a universal solution without fully considering the challenges it creates.

"Not all technological problems have a technological solution. AI is not neutral: the way it categorizes, makes decisions, and functions is shaped by human choices and power structures," Boella stated.

Another key concern was technological accelerationism, where the rush to innovate is driven more by the stock value of tech giants than by real societal needs.

"If the future of AI is in our hands, then it is a political issue. We must defend our rights and resist the excessive power of major corporations."

AI’s Environmental Impact and Sustainability

An often-overlooked topic in AI discussions is its environmental footprint. Boella pointed out that AI models—especially generative AI—are highly energy-intensive, both in training and inference phases.

"Massive data centers consume vast amounts of energy and water. We are now witnessing the first environmental protests against these infrastructures, which bring minimal benefits to local communities."

At the same time, more efficient AI models are emerging, utilizing technologies that reduce computational power consumption. However, the intersection of AI development with the resurgence of nuclear energy raises questions about the long-term sustainability of AI technologies.

SMEs and AI Adoption in Italy

Valeria Lazzaroli brought the discussion to the Italian business landscape, which is largely composed of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). She noted that many companies approach AI more out of curiosity than necessity. However, there are already European and national programs supporting digital transformation in businesses.

"We are not yet ready for a world of smart cities and full interoperability between data and businesses, but some regions, such as Lombardy, are already investing in digital twins to enhance public policy decision-making."

A fundamental issue remains the lack of a risk management culture. Most SMEs lack an internal risk manager, leaving them vulnerable to compliance issues with the upcoming EU AI Act.

Conclusion: Between Imagination and Responsibility

The event concluded with a reflection on the need to imagine an alternative future for AI. As De Martin put it:

"The future is not written. We must cultivate imagination and explore alternative models because technology is not deterministic—it depends on the choices we make today."

AI should not be seen as an infallible oracle but rather as a tool that must be governed with awareness and responsibility. Only by doing so can we ensure that innovation serves society rather than the other way around.

This event provided a profound and multidisciplinary discussion on AI, ethics, and governance, offering essential insights for business leaders, academics, and policymakers.