Omiros is Greek for Homer. And no. We’re not named after some doughnut-loving yellow guy… Rather the ancient Greek poet who wrote "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey." Homer's works are considered among the greatest literary achievements of ancient Greece and have had a profound influence on Western culture. Similarly, AI has had - and will continue to have - a profound effect on humankind. But the similarities don’t end there…

Human Oversight & Decision Making

Despite the ingenious design of the Trojan Horse, it still required human intervention and decision-making to be effective. The Greek soldiers inside the horse needed to wait until the opportune moment to burst out and wreak havoc. Likewise, while AI can automate processes and provide insights, human oversight and decision-making are crucial for interpreting AI-generated recommendations, validating findings, and making strategic choices based on the information provided.

Trust & Collaboration

The Trojan Horse was basically the ultimate team project, the success of which relied on the Greek soldiers trusting each other and working together to execute the plan effectively. Similarly, the integration of AI into business operations requires trust and collaboration between humans and technology. Employees need to trust the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated insights, while also collaborating with AI systems to optimise their performance and achieve desired outcomes.

Ethical Considerations:

In Homer's world, it's all about honour, loyalty, and doing the right thing (well, most of the time). Whether it's Achilles seeking vengeance or Odysseus facing moral dilemmas, there's always a lesson to be learned. And when it comes to businesses using AI, ethics are just as important. With AI processing data and making predictions, it's up to us humans to make sure we're using it responsibly and ethically.

Rolling with the Punches:

Finally, let's talk adaptability. In Homer's epics, the characters are always rolling with the punches, adapting to whatever challenges come their way. Whether it's navigating treacherous seas or outsmarting their enemies, they're always ready for whatever comes next. And in the business world, it's no different. With technology constantly evolving, companies have to be ready to adapt and innovate. Whether it's exploring new AI tools or finding creative solutions to old problems, it's all about staying ahead of the curve.

So there you have it - Homer's epics might be ancient history, but their lessons still ring true in today's world of business and technology. It's all about ethics, trust, and good old-fashioned human ingenuity and oversight!

I started my career advising organisations about insider threat. At first glance, the fact that I now sit firmly in the realm of AI seems quite the departure… but is it?

In today’s fast paced digital landscape, businesses are increasingly turning to AI to gain a competitive edge. AI promises to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation. However, implementing AI without due care and consideration can introduce risks similar to those posed by insider threats, and create challenges that undermine the very goals AI is meant to achieve.

Understanding insider threats: An insider threat occurs when someone in an organisation poses a risk to the safety, confidentiality or integrity of data. This could be a malicious employee seeking to steal sensitive information, or it could be an unwitting employee who inadvertently exposes data through negligence or ignorance. Regardless of the intent, insider threats can have devastating consequences for businesses.

Parallels with AI implementation: Similarly, implementing AI in your business without proper oversight and safeguards can lead to unintended consequences and vulnerabilities. Consider the following:

• Data Breaches: AI systems rely on vast amounts of data to learn and make predictions. If this data is not adequately protected, it can become the target for cyber criminals or malicious insiders seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in the system.

• Algorithmic bias: AI algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on. If training data contains biases or inaccuracies, the AI system may inadvertently perpetuate and amplify these biases, leading to unfair or discriminatory outcomes.

• Loss of control: As AI systems become more sophisticated, they may make decisions that are difficult for humans to understand or override. The loss of control can erode trust in the technology and lead to unintended consequences.

In the age of AI, businesses must strike a delicate balance between innovation and security. While AI holds tremendous promise for driving business growth and innovation it also presents new challenges and risks that cannot be ignored. By approaching AI implementation with caution, diligence, a commitment to ethical principles, and consideration of behavioural impacts, businesses can harness the power of AI while minimising the risk of creating new and unanticipated vulnerabilities.

There are few cinematic adversaries that loom as large or as menacing as Skynet – the malevolent AI from the Terminator franchise. With its relentless pursuit of world domination and its army of killer robots, Skynet seemed destined to usher in humanity’s downfall… so where did it all go wrong for our would-be AI overlord?

It’s simple really. Skynet failed to factor in the most important element of all: humans. Let’s take a tongue-in cheek look at some of flaws in Skynet’s approach.

Lack of people skills: Unfortunately for Skynet, it didn’t quite grasp the concept of building relationships and fostering trust. It’s idea of diplomacy was sending killer robots to wipe out humanity… not exactly the best way to win friends and influence people.

Ignoring emotional intelligence: Another critical oversight on Skynet’s part was its neglect of emotional intelligence – the very thing that sets humans apart from machines. It failed to understand the depth of human emotion and power of relationships. As a result, it couldn’t anticipate the bonds of loyalty, friendship, and love that would ultimately spur humanity to fight back, even when the odds seems insurmountable.

Misunderstanding human behaviour: Skynet also made the classic villain mistake of assuming that humans would behave predictably in the face of existential threat. It failed to account for the countless variables and unknown factors that influence human decision making, from deeply ingrained cultural norms and values to spur-of-the-moment decisions. Instead of adapting its strategy based on human behaviour, Skynet stubbornly clung to its rigid programming, ultimately sealing its own fate.

So what can we learn from Skynet’s spectacular fail? For starters, it’s essential to recognise the limitations of even the most advanced AI technology. No matter how powerful or intelligent AI may become, it will likely never fully replicate the complexity and nuance of human thought and behaviour. Additionally, it teaches us that we must approach AI development with caution, prioritising ethical considerations, transparency, and human oversight to prevent unintended consequences.

Skynet’s downfall serves as a lesson for would-be conquerors and AI developers alike. By acknowledging and respecting the unique qualities of human beings, we can ensure that AI remains a tool for progress and innovation, rather than a harbinger of doom. And who knows – maybe one day we’ll look back on Skynet not as a terrible dystopian nightmare, but as a cautionary tale that helped us build a better, more human-centred future.

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern business, integrating AI technology can offer significant benefits, from increased efficiency to innovative problem solving. However, adopting AI is not something that should be taken lightly. Much like hiring a new employee, implementing a new AI system requires careful consideration and thorough planning. Here’s why you should approach AI adoption with the same diligence and care as you would with bringing a new human team member on board:

Cultural fit and team dynamics: When hiring a new employee, one of the key considerations is how well they would fit into the existing team and organisational culture. Similarly, when implementing AI technology its crucial to ensure the new system integrates smoothly with your current processes and enhances, rather than disrupts, team dynamics.

Trust and Reliability: Trust is foundational in any workplace relationship. You wouldn’t hire someone that your colleagues don’t trust, so why would you deploy an AI system that your team is not comfortable with?

Bias and Fairness: Just as you wouldn’t hire someone who’s biases could negatively affect their work and team dynamics, you must ensure that your AI system is free from harmful biases.

Training & Development: When a new employee joins your company, they go through a training period to understand their role and how to perform their tasks effectively. Similarly, AI systems require proper set-up, training, and ongoing adjustments to function optimally.

Accountability & Oversight: Finally, just as a new employee is subject to performance reviews and accountability measures, Ai systems need oversight to ensure they are meeting performance expectations and adhering to ethical standards.

Just as businesses carefully vet potential employees to ensure they are a good fit for the organisation, so too should they evaluate AI systems. By treating AI as a new hire and integrating it into the organisational culture with care and consideration, businesses can maximise the benefits of AI while minimising the risks associated with its implementation, setting the stage for a harmonious and productive relationship between human and artificial team members.