--- title: "AI Action Summit: Driving Ethical AI for Industrial Transformation | BBA" date: 2025-02-20T00:00:00-05:00 author: Juliette Cote canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/publications/ai-action-summit-industrial-canada" section: Publications --- The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit concluded on February 11 in Paris with a declaration for “open,” “inclusive” and “ethical” AI, signed by 59 countries, including Canada. The event brought together heads of state, international experts and business leaders and served as a platform for global dialogue and collaboration on AI governance. However, it was revealed significant divisions, with some fearing that excessive regulations could hold back this rapidly growing technology. 1. ### AI is set to be a key lever for the industrial sector by : - Rapidly analyzing massive data sets to speed up decision-making - Automating processes to improve operational efficiency and resilience - Detecting equipment failures or breakdowns early to reduce production downtimes, maintenance costs and risks to employees - Optimizing energy consumption and integrating renewable energy sources to reduce carbon footprints **“However, AI democratization raises several ethical and regulatory concerns, especially in industrial and critical infrastructure sectors,”** explains Souheil Sabbagh, Vice-President, Digital Expertise at BBA. **“To use AI ethically, it must align with recent advances, particularly with ESG,”** adds Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Director, Digital Consulting, at BBA. ### Both experts emphasize that several safeguards are essential for integrating AI into industrial projects: - Accountability: AI must be used in ways that uphold corporate accountability - Health, safety and environment: AI integration must respect environmental and health and safety standards - Governance and transparency: AI must adhere to corporate values and government legislation - Impact on communities: AI must benefit local communities, particularly in terms of economic and social outcomes - Accessibility: AI systems must be audited to address biases and ensure fair access **“Further reflection is needed before AI is fully integrated into operational technologies, particularly regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, workforce skill development and, of course, ethics. To date, human oversight in critical decision-making remains the most reliable way to ensure these issues are managed properly,”** concludes Souheil Sabbagh. What ethical challenges concern you when integrating AI into industrial operations? 2. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA 1. ![Ec employee men souheil sabbagh retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204274/ec_employee_men_souheil-sabbagh_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) Souheil Sabbagh, P.Eng., MBA Vice-President, Digital Expertise Read bio [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/souheil-sabbagh-a5895421/) **With over 15 years of experience, Souheil helps clients digitalize and ensure the cybersecurity of energy infrastructure**, strengthening power system reliability and industrial facility performance. **Key expertise** - Industrial infrastructure digitalization - Industrial cybersecurity and regulatory compliance - Asset optimization for power systems and renewables - Digital strategies for complex environments - Member of the OIQ, UN **Major achievements**: Led large-scale digitalization and cybersecurity projects for power systems and energy infrastructure, integrating advanced, reliable and secure solutions. **Approach and added value**: Souheil blends technical expertise with a human-centred approach and efficient processes focused on risk management, ensuring complex digital projects are successful and boosting energy infrastructure performance. 2. ![3318 Jean Francois Beaulieu](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/191591/3318_Jean_Francois_Beaulieu.webp) Jean-François Beaulieu Director, Digital Consultant [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beaulieujeanfrancois/) - [ 27 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance - ![Geraldine Cosset](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206707/Geraldine-Cosset.webp) - ![Jared Purdy](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/212424/Jared-Purdy.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/early-tailings-decisions-shape-long-term-mine-performance "Early tailings decisions shape long-term mine performance") - [ 02 Jul 2026 Mining and Metals Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing - ![Charles Blais](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211197/Charles-Blais.webp) - ![Juan Pablo Vergara](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/211266/Juan-Pablo-Vergara.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/python-a-key-tool-for-data-analysis-in-mineral-processing "Python: A key tool for data analysis in mineral processing") - [ 19 Jun 2026 Mining and Metals Speed is earned early in projects - ![Mm employee men jean lheureux retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/204266/mm_employee_men_jean-lheureux_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) - ![Mm employee men benoit richard retouch web SQ LR BBA](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/203602/mm_employee_men_benoit-richard_retouch_web_SQ_LR_BBA.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/speed-is-earned-early-in-projects "Speed is earned early in projects") - [ 17 Jun 2026 Industrial data platforms: building a solid foundation to optimize your operations - ![Pierre Boucher](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/2671/Pierre-Boucher.webp) Pierre Boucher, P.Eng. Senior Engineer, Operational Technology and Infrastructure ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights/industrial-data-platforms-building-a-solid-foundation-to-optimize-your-operations "Industrial data platforms: building a solid foundation to optimize your operations") [ See all ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/insights "Go to Publications listing page") Let’s see what we can do together [ Contact us ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-ca/contact) The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit concluded on February 11 in Paris with a declaration for “open,” “inclusive” and “ethical” AI, signed by 59 countries, including Canada. The event brought together heads of state, international experts and business leaders and served as a platform for global dialogue and collaboration on AI governance. However, it was revealed significant divisions, with some fearing that excessive regulations could hold back this rapidly growing technology. 1. ### AI is set to be a key lever for the industrial sector by : - Rapidly analyzing massive data sets to speed up decision-making - Automating processes to improve operational efficiency and resilience - Detecting equipment failures or breakdowns early to reduce production downtimes, maintenance costs and risks to employees - Optimizing energy consumption and integrating renewable energy sources to reduce carbon footprints **“However, AI democratization raises several ethical and regulatory concerns, especially in industrial and critical infrastructure sectors,”** explains Souheil Sabbagh, Vice-President, Digital Expertise at BBA. **“To use AI ethically, it must align with recent advances, particularly with ESG,”** adds Jean-Francois Beaulieu, Director, Digital Consulting, at BBA. ### Both experts emphasize that several safeguards are essential for integrating AI into industrial projects: - Accountability: AI must be used in ways that uphold corporate accountability - Health, safety and environment: AI integration must respect environmental and health and safety standards - Governance and transparency: AI must adhere to corporate values and government legislation - Impact on communities: AI must benefit local communities, particularly in terms of economic and social outcomes - Accessibility: AI systems must be audited to address biases and ensure fair access **“Further reflection is needed before AI is fully integrated into operational technologies, particularly regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, workforce skill development and, of course, ethics. To date, human oversight in critical decision-making remains the most reliable way to ensure these issues are managed properly,”** concludes Souheil Sabbagh. What ethical challenges concern you when integrating AI into industrial operations? 2. This content is for general information purposes only. All rights reserved ©BBA