AI Is Notbusinessethics

Why “The AI Did It” Is Never a Valid Excuse

Decision consequences of why “the ai did it” is never a valid excuse.

19 Dec 20251 min read

The core idea

Why “The AI Did It” Is Never a Valid Excuse highlights a failure mode that appears only after AI is embedded in real decisions.

What actually happens

AI systems operate on patterns, not consequences. When they are placed inside workflows without clear ownership:

  • errors propagate
  • responsibility blurs
  • humans disengage too early
System insight

Most failures are not technical - they are organizational.

How to think about it

Ask three questions before deploying AI:

  1. What decision is being influenced?
  2. Who approves the outcome?
  3. What happens if it’s wrong?
Takeaway

AI should accelerate judgment - not replace accountability.