Overview:
The warning was sounded during the 4th C-Suite Forum organised by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), where senior executives discussed the growing influence of AI in business operations.
Business executives in Uganda have been warned against allowing technology to replace human accountability and strategic thinking as Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape corporate leadership and decision-making.
The warning was sounded during the 4th C-Suite Forum organised by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), where senior executives discussed the growing influence of AI in business operations.
Held under the theme “The Future of Leadership is AI-Driven,” the forum focused on how organisations can use AI to improve efficiency, competitiveness, and decision-making without undermining human leadership.
Charles Mudiwa, Managing Director of dfcu Bank, cautioned leaders against overdependence on AI, stressing that responsibility and accountability must remain with human leaders.
“AI is not accountable, leaders are,” Mudiwa said.
He explained that although AI can enhance decision-making and streamline operations, it should only be treated as an enabler rather than the strategy itself. He warned organisations against adopting technology without clear governance, direction, and execution frameworks.
The increased adoption of AI has enabled many organisations to automate processes, reduce administrative costs, and improve efficiency. However, experts at the forum noted that overreliance on AI could expose institutions to risks such as biased decision-making, erosion of human judgment and empathy, ethical dilemmas, and data privacy concerns.
CPA David Timothy Ediomu, President of ICPAU, emphasised that strong institutions are built on competent professionals and ethical leadership.
“Strong institutions are built by qualified professionals,” Ediomu said, reaffirming the role of professional accountants in promoting accountability and strategic decision-making.
The executives also raised concerns that AI could widen the digital divide in developing countries, with smaller businesses likely to struggle to keep pace with larger firms that can afford advanced technologies.
However, Ernest Ssekisonge, Managing Director of Kasi Insight, said small and medium enterprises can still leverage AI to improve operations and competitiveness.
He noted that AI-powered consumer intelligence, behavioural data, predictive insights, and early warning systems can help businesses strengthen strategic planning, anticipate market shifts, and improve risk management.