Corporate boards use their expertise to advance the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders. But they’re only human. What if we could create a board made up of entirely unbiased, indefatigable members who never falter and never tire? Today we explore the idea of inviting artificial intelligence into the boardroom with Sergio Alberto Gramitto Ricci, an associate professor of law at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Sergio’s well-known paper, “Artificial Agents in Corporate Boardrooms,” has taken on new significance with the rapid progression of AI technology. Tuning in, you’ll hear about both the risks and rewards of introducing AI into the boardroom. We delve into what Delaware law has to say about legal personhood before Sergio discusses his concerns about having AI make decisions for companies and why the lack of AI accountability is problematic. We debate the risks around AI becoming sentient, and discuss whether new laws will be introduced to allow AI inside corporate boardrooms. Tune into this fascinating and informative episode today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming today’s guest, Sergio Alberto Gramitto Ricci. 
• How Sergio got interested in the idea of AI in the boardroom.
• How ancient Roman practices of using highly intelligent slaves translates to the use of AI in boardrooms. 
• AI Governance Nirvana and how it could address the problem of agency costs. 
• Why there will always be a place for humans in the boardroom. 
• What Delaware law has to say about legal personhood when it comes to boards of directors. 
• Sergio discusses the idea of accountability and why AI cannot be held accountable. 
• Why Sergio is so concerned about AI becoming sentient. 
• The effects of using AI to make decisions for companies. 
• The likelihood of introducing new laws to make use of AI in boardrooms. 
• Whether transparency about the use of AI in the boardroom would solve the legal roadblocks to using AI in the boardroom. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sergio Alberto Gramitto Ricci

Sergio Alberto Gramitto Ricci on LinkedIn

Sergio Alberto Gramitto Ricci on X

‘Artificial Agents in Corporate Boardrooms’

Fordham University School of Law Corporate Law Center