Dr. Anne Scherer in Business Rap

15/06/2026

Trust, Responsibility—and Why Good AI Must Be Transparent, Not Autonomous

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In the short Business Rap we meet Dr. Anne Scherer, co-founder of Delta Labs.

Honesty in Customer Conversations:
Are machines better conversation partners than people?

That depends heavily on the context

“When it comes to sensitive topics, a machine can make it easier to get started because people are often less hesitant to engage. However, humans remain essential when it comes to genuine empathy, trust, and complex analysis. The ideal approach is a combination of the two: AI provides personalized support in the background, while humans build connections.”

Robo-Advisor:
A better financial advisor than a human, or just a cheaper one?

It's not black and white here

“AI can analyze enormous amounts of data and thereby provide very well-founded recommendations. At the same time, many people expect a human advisor to better understand their individual circumstances. The most effective solution is therefore usually a hybrid approach: data-driven analysis by AI, combined with human advice where context and trust are crucial.”

Manipulation by AI:
Unavoidable risk or design choice?

Any powerful technology can be misused

“AI is no exception. What matters is how we design, regulate, and safeguard it. When cars first appeared, there were no seat belts or traffic laws. Today, such safety measures are taken for granted. That’s exactly where we need to get with AI as well.”

„Better Tech“:
Whose responsibility is it—research, business, or government?

This is a shared responsibility

“Research can shed light on risks and opportunities; companies must develop their products responsibly; and policymakers and society must define what kind of future we actually want. The problem is that technological development often outpaces regulation. That is why companies today sometimes operate in gray areas and must establish clear principles for themselves.”

Hybrid Intelligence:
A true partnership, or just a nice-sounding term for human control?

AI is, first and foremost, a tool

“The key difference lies in how well people can work with it. Success will not come to those who simply use AI, but to those who integrate it into their decision-making in a meaningful, critical, and efficient way.”

Data and Self-Determination:
Are users being kept informed or left in the dark?

The key question is: How is data used?

“In this debate, people often forget that data can also save lives—for example, in medicine, research, or prevention. Anyone who wants to benefit from AI must also discuss what data is necessary to make that possible. The key question is not just whether data is used, but how: transparently, securely, for specific purposes, and fairly.”

Trust in AI Systems:
Learned or earned?

Both

“Trust is built through experience, but it must also be earned. Our studies show that people can certainly trust AI systems again after mistakes if they understand what happened and where the limits lie. We learn very quickly what a system is capable of—and where caution is warranted.”

Customer Centricity:
Genuine commitment or a marketing gimmick?

In the best-case scenario, it's a genuine attitude

“Especially in a world where AI is making it easier and easier to build new apps, campaigns, or services, understanding customers is becoming a key differentiator. The question is no longer just: Can we build this? But rather: Do we really understand what we should be building?”

Research and Practice:
EGenerate insights or drive change?

The two go hand in hand

“Research should not only produce insights but also help us make better decisions. It can highlight risks, point out opportunities, and thereby drive change in the economy and society.”

Measuring Progress:
Technical performance or human well-being?

Society must continually redefine this

“For a long time, we measured progress primarily in terms of technical achievements and economic indicators such as GDP. Today, other metrics are becoming more important: quality of life, well-being, sustainability, and social benefits. I believe this perspective will become much more prominent in the future.”

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Trust, Responsibility—and Why Good AI Must Be Transparent, Not Autonomous

Honesty in Customer Conversations:
Are machines better conversation partners than people?

That depends heavily on the context

Robo-Advisor:
A better financial advisor than a human, or just a cheaper one?

It's not black and white here

Manipulation by AI:
Unavoidable risk or design choice?

Any powerful technology can be misused

„Better Tech“:
Whose responsibility is it—research, business, or government?

This is a shared responsibility

Hybrid Intelligence:
A true partnership, or just a nice-sounding term for human control?

AI is, first and foremost, a tool

Data and Self-Determination:
Are users being kept informed or left in the dark?

The key question is: How is data used?

Trust in AI Systems:
Learned or earned?

Both

Customer Centricity:
Genuine commitment or a marketing gimmick?

In the best-case scenario, it's a genuine attitude

Research and Practice:
EGenerate insights or drive change?

The two go hand in hand

Measuring Progress:
Technical performance or human well-being?

Society must continually redefine this

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Trust, Responsibility—and Why Good AI Must Be Transparent, Not Autonomous

Honesty in Customer Conversations: Are machines better conversation partners than people?

That depends heavily on the context

Robo-Advisor: A better financial advisor than a human, or just a cheaper one?

It's not black and white here

Manipulation by AI: Unavoidable risk or design choice?

Any powerful technology can be misused

„Better Tech“: Whose responsibility is it—research, business, or government?

This is a shared responsibility

Hybrid Intelligence: A true partnership, or just a nice-sounding term for human control?

AI is, first and foremost, a tool

Data and Self-Determination: Are users being kept informed or left in the dark?

The key question is: How is data used?

Trust in AI Systems: Learned or earned?

Both

Customer Centricity: Genuine commitment or a marketing gimmick?

In the best-case scenario, it's a genuine attitude

Research and Practice: EGenerate insights or drive change?

The two go hand in hand

Measuring Progress: Technical performance or human well-being?

Society must continually redefine this

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Honesty in Customer Conversations:
Are machines better conversation partners than people?

Robo-Advisor:
A better financial advisor than a human, or just a cheaper one?

Manipulation by AI:
Unavoidable risk or design choice?

„Better Tech“:
Whose responsibility is it—research, business, or government?

Hybrid Intelligence:
A true partnership, or just a nice-sounding term for human control?

Data and Self-Determination:
Are users being kept informed or left in the dark?

Trust in AI Systems:
Learned or earned?

Customer Centricity:
Genuine commitment or a marketing gimmick?

Research and Practice:
EGenerate insights or drive change?

Measuring Progress:
Technical performance or human well-being?