Business Ethics   Bridging People Development and AI

The March 2025 EuropeFides General Meeting, organized by bdp Bormann Demant & Partner, focused on the theme of “Business Ethics.” Over 70 participants from member firms in more than 20 countries gathered to exchange insights across the disciplines of tax, law, auditing, and financial accounting under this theme. As part of the event, a specially curated panel discussion was held on the topics of People Development and Artificial Intelligence.

Other focal points of the General Meeting included ethical issues such as AI bias in gender roles and candidate selection, as well as data protection. The panel discussion explored how companies can use AI effectively and how closely it is tied to personal growth of team members and positive corporate culture.

The Framework: Putting People First

The panel discussion was preceded by a series of interviews with EuropeFides members from around the world. These personal conversations explored individual approaches to people development and the integration of AI into SME advisories.

One key point of discussion was a noticeable shift taking place in the business world. While profit used to be the main objective and driving force of companies, ethical motivations are becoming increasingly important. Sustainability and the joint effort to address global challenges such as climate change, digitalization, and social inequality now play a central role. In the past, institutions like the Church provided values and social support, but as their influence has declined over time, space has opened for businesses to take on greater responsibility in this area. This presents a major opportunity to actively build new values.

As our keynote speaker, Prof. Dr. Andreas Suchanek, put it in his talk “Ethics in Business: Investing in Trust and Integrity”:
"You don’t do everything for money, and that’s why people can trust you."

Key Topics of the Panel Discussion

Being Human in the Age of AI

A central point of discussion was the role of the human factor. While AI promises significant gains in efficiency and enhanced data processing, its effectiveness ultimately depends on the people operating it. In a rapidly changing work environment, continuous learning is therefore essential—not only in technical skills but also in the development of soft skills such as critical thinking, relationship management, teamwork, and ethical decision-making. Schools and universities currently provide only limited education in these areas. Recent studies already show that companies investing sufficiently in people development see significant improvements in people engagement and customer satisfaction.

Rebranding the Advisory Approach 

Another key focus of the discussion was the evolving role of business advisors. As automation continues to advance—particularly in areas like data analysis—it becomes increasingly clear that the true value of human expertise lies in the ability to build trust-based relationships. This applies both internally, to foster effective interdisciplinary collaboration, and externally, to understand and meet the individual needs of clients.

The discussion emphasized that trust, integrity, and personal commitment are what distinguish human competencies from automated processes. However, achieving this requires ethical frameworks and well-designed organizational structures to create an environment where continuous learning and trust-building can go hand in hand.

People Development & Recruiting/Retention

For younger generations in particular, a corporate culture of trust and integrity— together with meaningful goals—ranks high in their decision-making process when choosing a role. Ultimately to many of them, it’s about potentially accessing internal resources, enjoying a position and perhaps finding an individual work flow.

Unlocking as many internal resources as possible is key to tapping into one’s full performance potential and creativity. Opportunities for personal and professional growth in workplaces are therefore highly valued by many. In the end, a widely known principle holds true: “People attract people – talent attracts talent.”

Synergies Through EuropeFides

The panel discussion also presented a strategic vision for leveraging EuropeFides as a platform for exchange, with the goal of harnessing synergies between member firms:

• Regular Knowledge Sharing: Suggestions included organizing sessions on practical topics such as “Communicating with AI” to enhance everyday technical applications.
• Onboarding and Mentoring Programs: The introduction of structured peer-to-peer, mentoring, or buddy programs was proposed as a way to support both new and existing team members.
• People Development Calls: E.g. establishing regular meetings where best practices for personal and professional development can be shared—a hands-on approach to nurturing talent within the member firms.

Conclusion

As companies continue to navigate the integration of AI into everyday work life, the insights shared during the panel discussion offer a valuable roadmap. They serve as a reminder that, despite rapid technological change, the true driver of progress lies in people—those who move forward through ethical action, continuous development, and creativity, inspiring others and building lasting trust.