Philosophy, Ethics, and AI – Thinking About the Tool Before Using It: Laurent Payet-Chevalier

Artificial intelligence is on everyone’s lips. But behind the promises and fears, a fundamental question often goes unasked: do we even know what “thinking” means?

In this episode of Transformation Heroes, Baptiste welcomes Laurent Payet-Chevalier, a philosopher, speaker, and professor specializing in general philosophy and business ethics. An unconventional guest for a conversation that ventures off the beaten path of tech.

Laurent begins by deconstructing the term “artificial intelligence.” The key word isn’t “intelligence,” but “artificial”: something made by human hands for a specific task. AI is a tool, like a concrete mixer or a screwdriver. It amplifies an existing skill, but does not replace basic know-how.

The conversation then delves into the history of thought, from Descartes to Hegel, to understand why we project our identity onto the machines we create. The problem of consciousness, dating back five centuries, resurfaces with AI: if the machine “thinks,” does that say something about us?

In the business context, Laurent proposes a framework derived from Thomas Aquinas: deliberation, decision, action. AI enriches deliberation by providing data. But decision-making and responsibility remain human. Automating the decision-making process raises a real ethical question.

Finally, far from being alarmist, Laurent advocates a pragmatic and humanistic approach. AI should be deployed where it reduces friction and frees up time for core business activities. Just as the washing machine freed up time for other aspects of life, AI can alleviate the drudgery—provided it is approached with method, maturity, and ethics.