Time flies… It is already five years ago that I introduced here an article written by a man I profoundly respect and consider as a thought leader, Hamilton Mann. Hamilton is the Group Vice President of Digital Marketing and Digital Transformation of Thales (a global leader in aerospace, cybersecurity, and defence), where he leads initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and other advanced technologies to align with the company’s business goals and societal impact. Mann is also a scholar and educator, who teaches at prestigious institutions like INSEAD and HEC Paris. He has been recognized by Thinkers50 as a leading global business thinker for his “Digital for Good” approach.”

I am ashamed to admit that I rarely find time and interest in reading books, finding arrogantly that most of them could be summarised in 10-20 pages instead of their 300-500 pages, usually summarised at the beginning anyway. Most of my renewed knowledge comes in fact from the interaction with clients, students and my partners at the Enablers network. In 2024, I bought and read three books:

• Lead from Love with Rumi: 100 Insights for Leaders to Harness the Power of Compassion, Connection and Creativity by Chris Parker: Chris is a pillar from our Enablers Network. I consider him as a very solid, thoughtful and articulate man and when someone like him, gifted with an amazing strength of character, writes a book on “Leading from Love”… it challenges me. The book takes its inspiration from a hundred poetic verses or quotes from Rumi, a XIII^th century Persian poet, theologian, lawyer, which Chris applies as metaphors for Business Leaders of the XXth century. The result is truly impactful!!!

• Miracles Beyond Borders: Surviving Abidjan: Tales of Faith and Resilience from an African Woman on Her Journey to a Better Life by Candace Nkoth Bisseck: Candace is also a partner of the Enablers Network, a woman entrepreneur, ex CEO in Africa, MBA and executive coach for Stanford. I often talk about vulnerability as the basis for Psychological Safety… Well, Candace’s book is an amazing display of vulnerability and an evidence that it takes a strong personality to be vulnerable!!!

• Artificial Integrity, The Paths to Leading AI Toward a Human-Centered Future by Hamilton Mann: My intention is to try and summarise why I found this book a must buy and why I assume it could trigger your interest, as business leaders or simply, as citizens of the World in this troubled XXI^st century.

“Science sans Conscience, n’est que ruine de l’âme”

“Science without Consciousness merely means the ruin of our souls” wrote Rabelais, the XVI^th century French author. Hamilton is a true Rabelais heir in his A.I. philosophy. For all of us being, understandably concerned by the uncontrolled developments of A.I., the author first tranquilises us, in a very didactical manner, sharing definitions about A.I., the difference between A.I. ethics and Artificial Integrity. He also spends some time uncovering the necessary interaction between human and artificial intelligence. I am far from reassured by the naïve (in my eyes), almost ideological belief that “we will be fine since machines can’t emulate, live nor analyse human emotions”… Hamilton, as the scientist he is, is far from that belief.

Being rather time challenged by this year’s beginning, and finding Chat GPT’s summary far better than mine (and who best to summarise a book on Artificial Intelligence/Integrity?) here it is:

Artificial Integrity, Hamilton Mann’s book explores the concept of embedding integrity as a foundational principle in artificial intelligence. Mann proposes that AI should not merely adhere to ethical guidelines but embody “artificial integrity,” where systems are designed to align consistently with societal values, moral codes, and human well-being. The book’s key themes include:

• Human-Centered AI Design: The book emphasizes that AI should operate in ways that are inherently aligned with human safety, rights, and cultural values, avoiding harm through proactive ethical safeguards.
• Societal Value Models: Mann discusses the importance of integrating cultural, moral, and economic values into AI systems, ensuring they contribute positively to diverse societal frameworks.
• Modes of Human-AI Collaboration: The book outlines different scenarios for AI deployment, including “AI-first,” “human-first,” and “fusion modes,” each emphasizing the balance between human intuition and AI efficiency.
• The Need for Multidisciplinary Approaches: Mann advocates for involving ethicists, community leaders, and other stakeholders in AI development to ensure systems are ethically sound and contextually relevant​

Overall, “Artificial Integrity” challenges readers to rethink the future of AI by prioritizing integrity as a deliberate design choice, fostering systems that enhance trust and societal benefit.

Our Leadership Journey will constantly be challenged by economic, geopolitical, sustainability and technological challenges and disruptions. We rarely have the chance to meet highly knowledgeable people, capable of simplifying the issues at stake, leave alone, offering suggestions to tackle them. Hamilton Mann is one of them and I hope you will find his book worth your time.

I wish us all the courage to be and remain ethical leaders on our Journey through 2025!