Lizzy Prins on Leadership in AI Ethics: 'AI is a Tool, Not a Goal'
amsterdam, woensdag, 24 september 2025.
During Data Days, expert Lizzy Prins emphasised the importance of leadership and strategy in the implementation of AI. She warned that AI is a tool and not a goal in itself, and stressed the need for ethical considerations and change management in organisations. Prins advocates for a phased approach to AI projects, where small steps and tangible results are crucial to maintaining energy and building trust.
Leadership and Strategy in AI Ethics
During Data Days, an event focused on key aspects of AI and how it integrates with leadership roles, expert Lizzy Prins highlighted the importance of leadership and strategy in the implementation of AI [1]. Prins, a former HR director and expert in AI applications, explained that AI is a tool and not a goal in itself. She warned that confusion about this still permeates and that companies should use AI to address concrete challenges or objectives [1].
Ethical Considerations and Change Management
Prins stressed the necessity of ethical considerations and change management in organisations. She stated that AI brings significant changes to organisations and that leadership is crucial to guide and organise these changes [1]. Prins cautioned against overly technical approaches to AI projects, as this can lead to the conflation of means and ends [1].
Phased Approach and Tangible Results
Prins advocates for a phased approach to AI projects. She advises starting small, picking low-hanging fruit, and making the impact tangible. This keeps the energy high and allows for step-by-step progress [1]. She emphasised that the success of AI projects depends on the organisation’s capacity to manage and embed change [1].
Collaboration Between Humans and AI
Prins sees opportunities in the collaboration between humans and AI. She poses the question of how humans and AI can work together as partners and what must be guaranteed as purely human and what AI can do smarter and more efficiently [1]. She stressed that the future lies in this combination and that leadership is crucial in this regard [1].
Importance of Governance in Data Quality
Louis de Roo, data strategist at E-mergo, emphasised during Data Days that success with data is not just about technology but also about making choices, governance, and involving users [2]. According to De Roo, the biggest challenge in data is data quality, as systems often generate inconsistent data. He stated that without governance, no conditions for AI are created, and reliable predictions are not possible [2].