The greatest risk with Gen AI isn't the tech, its misplaced trust

Reggie Townsend, Vice President of the Data Ethics Practice, SAS on why governance must keep pace with GenAl adoption

- By Jatinder Singh | [e-mail]

As enterprises race to operationalize generative AI, trust has emerged as both a catalyst and a contradiction.

While organizations publicly express confidence in Al-driven systems, investments in governance, ethics, and accountability often lag behind. This widening trust gap raises uncomfortable questions about whether enthusiasm for AI is outpacing responsibility.

In a recent interaction, Jatinder Singh, Editor, CIO&Leader, speaks with Reggie Townsend, Vice President of the Data Ethics Practice at SAS, to understand why this disconnect exists—and what leaders must do to close it. Townsend offers a detailed perspective on market pressures, misplaced trust in generative AI, and the critical role of governance as an enabler rather than an obstacle to innovation. From trustworthy AI frameworks and model transparency to India’s evolving regulatory landscape and the Global South’s opportunity to shape a more equitable AI future, the conversation explores how organizations can move from AI ambition to accountable action without losing momentum. Excerpts from the interview.

CIO&Leader: Industry data shows a significant trust gap, while almost 80% of organizations claim full trust in Al, less than half invest in governance or ethics. How do you explain this discrepancy? Does it indicate superficial corporate enthusiasm without real accountability?

REGGIE TOWNSEND: I don’t believe there’s a calculated effort to move ahead with GenAI in a reckless manner. Market pressure is driving much of this, along with the fear of missing out on GenAI’s perceived immense value. As the report points out, a more human-like interface encourages engagement and increases trust. As a result, in the rush to get on the bandwagon, more structural governance considerations can become an afterthought. Again, I don’t believe there’s a desire to act irresponsibly—people simply don’t want to risk being left behind.