Fix Your Ethics After Lunch, Not After Launch
Build & Sell Your AI Product Faster
Some of my Founder Friends still think they can deal with ethics later:
💬 We know we need to address ethics eventually.
💬 Can’t we just iterate?
Sure, you can iterate - on features, usability, and business models. But how do you iterate on a public scandal or, more importantly, on real human harm?
The thing about ethics is that it’s not an add-on. It’s not technical debt you can pay down later. It’s foundational - like your core value proposition. In fact, it is a part of your value proposition.
The Cost of Waiting
Post-launch ethical retrofitting costs more than getting it right the first time.
Companies that rushed to market without addressing ethical concerns faced lawsuits, public backlash, and expensive redesigns.
📌 Clearview AI faces ongoing legal battles and controversies. In 2025, it's negotiating to give up 23% of its business to settle a biometric data privacy lawsuit.
The Cost of Lost Trust
Once trust is lost, it’s almost impossible to fully regain. Users who feel betrayed don’t just leave—they warn others. Trust is a currency that takes years to build and seconds to destroy. Just ask Facebook.
📌 Facebook lost $119 billion in market value overnight after privacy scandals.
The Cost of Underestimating Your Users
There was a time when users didn’t ask too many questions about how products were built or how they worked. That time is over.
Today, users research. They demand transparency. They expect companies to align with their values, or they walk away.
The Cost of Underestimating Your Startup Team
In 2025, your top performers seek more than just a pay check - they want purpose. And when they build new products, they want them to align with their values. I've witnessed exceptional talent leave their jobs solely over ethical concerns.
Bottom Line
When you build your product, you have two choices:
Fix it after lunch = make it a part of your growth strategy
Fix it after launch = make it a part of your crisis management strategy.
🎁 Bonus: Some practical tips to get started:
🎉 My first coffee!
Two days ago, Paul Chaney from AI Marketing Ethics Digest kindly bought me my first coffee - the best coffee I’ve ever had! Paul is an AI Marketing Ethics expert with over 25 years of experience. Check out his Substack for insights on ethical marketing, and the future of technology!
Thank you Salty! Great question! I believe in a collaborative, hybrid approach. When the entire product team - including developers - understands ethical guidelines and works closely with a dedicated Ethics Lead, rapid innovation and responsible tech start to go hand in hand, leading to better products.🤗
Such a great reminder about ethics and keeping one's promises from marketing to delivery