Hello ICON,

I’m beyond excited to kick off this column. You might recognize me from my LinkedIn Newsletter titled “The Highflyers Flight,” where I share wisdom nuggets on different integral issues of life.

But now, I have  a new assignment.

I’m here to uncover the world of Artificial Intelligence and, more importantly, how you can leverage it ethically to make a real difference in your business profitability.

AI might sound like the buzzword of the decade, but trust me—it’s not just buzz. It’s a whole new way of doing business, building connections, and yes, making money.

According to Pricewaterhouse Coopers– a global accounting firm, “AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030, more than the current output of China and India combined. Of this, $6.6 trillion is likely to come from increased productivity and $9.1 trillion is likely to come from consumption-side effects.”

My question to you and I is ‘how much of that money are we going to get for ourselves via the AI products and services we will offer to the market’?

Let’s begin to THINK AI.

AI has not come to take away our  jobs, but humans who adopt AI will take away the jobs and opportunities powered by AI, leaving those who refuse to adopt 𝗔𝗜 behind.

This column, “Make Money with Ethical AI,” will be our shared space to help businesses, creative and digital entrepreneurs and curious minds explore how this cutting-edge technology can lead to smarter, better, and more ethical profitable business decisions.

We’ll break down complex AI concepts into bite-sized, digestible insights and leave out the fluff.

I’ll be your AI guide, a translator for all things techy, and your advocate for ethical AI practices.

Expect an article from me Every Saturday.

Let’s Start with the Basics—What Exactly Is AI?  

Imagine you had an employee who never sleeps, never gets tired, and can handle data with the precision of a laser beam. That’s AI—short form for “Artificial Intelligence”.

In simple terms, AI is the technology that allows machines to mimic human intelligence. It can analyze patterns, solve problems, make decisions, and even understand (to some extent) the emotions behind your words.

AI isn’t just a futuristic dream anymore; it’s very much here and now. It’s behind your personalized Netflix recommendations, the navigation system that guided you to that new coffee shop, and even the virtual assistant that helps you schedule appointments. It’s smart, efficient, and, when used ethically, it’s  incredibly powerful.

Breaking Down AI’s Building Blocks  

Let’s get more granular, because AI is more than just a catch-all term. It’s a toolbox, with different tools for different jobs. Here’s a quick rundown of the essentials:

1. Machine Learning (ML)

Machine Learning is the backbone of most AI applications today. It’s about training a computer to learn from data and improve over time, much like how a new hire gets better at their job after each task. Instead of programming a machine with specific rules, ML allows it to discover patterns and make predictions. If you’ve ever been amazed at how Spotify nails your taste in music, you’ve experienced ML in action. It’s like giving your computer a sixth sense—a data sense.

2. Deep Learning (DL)

Think of Deep Learning as Machine Learning on steroids. While traditional ML needs guidance to understand patterns, Deep Learning uses multi-layered neural networks—algorithms inspired by the human brain. It can analyze massive data sets with stunning accuracy, from recognizing faces to understanding the nuances of language. It’s how your smartphone camera now distinguishes between a cat and a piece of furniture. DL thrives on “big data” and is the powerhouse behind much of the AI revolution.

3. Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Ever chatted with a virtual assistant or typed something into a chatbot? That’s Natural Language Processing at work—one of the most exciting aspects of AI. NLP gives machines the ability to understand and respond to human language. From filtering spam emails to translating languages on the fly, NLP is about turning unstructured human conversation into structured data. It’s about machines understanding ‘us’, not the other way around.

4. Algorithm: These are a series of instructions that allows a computer program to learn and analyze data in a particular way.

5. Chatbot or Bot: This is a program that communicates with humans through text.

6. Large Language Models (LLM): These are just sophisticated artificial intelligence models, that are trained on vast amounts of text data to understand and generate human-like language. I believe you have heard about OpenAI’s CHATGPT, Google’s BARD, Anthropic AI’s CLAUDE AI? If yes, these are examples of large language models.

7. Generative AI: This is a content-generating technology that uses AI to create text, video, computer code or images. Remember that app you used to create AI photos of yourself, that is, you uploaded a number of your photos and it generated an AI version of you. That’s an example of generative AI.

Why Ethics in AI? Because the Stakes Are Sky-High  

AI holds enormous potential, but it’s a double-edged sword.

On one side, it can revolutionize industries, make mundane tasks vanish, and drive profits sky-high. On the other, it can amplify biases, erode privacy, and wreak havoc if mishandled.

This is  why Ethical AI is at the core of this column. We’ll talk about the big wins without the shortcuts, emphasizing responsible AI that respects privacy, eliminates bias, and contributes positively to society.

Imagine a world where AI doesn’t just make us richer but makes us better. It’s possible.

It just requires a conscious effort to get it right.

How Ethical AI Can Help Your Business Thrive  

Okay, let’s get down to business—literally. How does this ethical AI stuff translate to revenue, growth, and success? Here’s a sneak peek into what we’ll cover in future columns:

– Automation: Replacing manual, repetitive tasks with AI-driven automation so you can free up time for what matters most—creativity, strategy, and human connection.

– Customer Experience: Using AI to understand customer needs with laser accuracy, personalize interactions, and build loyalty without stepping over the creepy line.

– Predictive Insights: Imagine having a crystal ball that tells you what your customers want before they do—AI can do that by analyzing trends and data, all without compromising ethical standards.

– Cost Efficiency: Cutting costs smartly with AI-driven decision-making, resource management, and streamlined operations—no layoffs, no corner-cutting, just better strategy.

– Content Creation & Marketing: How AI can generate high-quality content, sharpen your marketing campaigns, and even run targeted ads—all while staying true to brand values.

Here is my promise to you.

I’m not here to bombard you with endless jargon or overwhelm you with technical deep dives—plenty of blogs do that.

Instead, I’m committed to helping you understand AI as a powerful business tool without sacrificing your values. This will be a space where we explore, learn, and get inspired together, keeping it real, practical, and ethical.

AI isn’t some cold, distant technology—it’s a dynamic tool that, if used correctly, can amplify what makes your business unique and impactful.

My assignment is to make sure we wield it wisely.

What’s Next?  

In the coming weeks, we’ll explore practical case studies, discover the best tools, AI-powered platforms, and break down ethical dilemmas in a way that’s relatable, understandable, and applicable to your business.

I’ll be pulling from real-world examples, expert interviews, and even a few cautionary tales to make sure we stay informed and ahead of the curve.

So, buckle up!

Grab your favorite beverage—and let’s venture into the world of Ethical AI together.

There’s money to be made, but more importantly, there’s a better way to do business—with tech that’s  smart, fair, and driven by values.

Welcome onboard. This is going to be a journey worth taking.

Do not forget, Every Saturday you should expect an article from me. Cheers!

– Kitamuji Aseme

Google Certified Digital Marketer & AI Consultant