We have been talking about AI for a while now. Entrepreneurs are talking about AI-product-integration. Industry giants are talking about billion-parameters LLMs and sustainable general intelligence. Students are talking about using AI to ace their essays. People with a lower tolerance towards “change” are talking about AI taking away their jobs. While the layman is still in awe of ads about Prompt Engineering courses that can make them millionaires overnight.
Everyone has a perspective to share. While it’s natural for individuals to have diverse viewpoints on AI, it’s equally important to recognize the rapid pace at which it is transforming traditional industries. And, because these AI systems offer such immense potential for business, it’s also important to include conversations about building AI systems that are ethical, explainable, robust and auditable.
Meet Dr. Scott Zoldi, the Chief Analytics Officer at FICO, who has dedicated his life to AI and analytic innovation. Recognized as one of the industry’s most innovative minds, Dr. Zoldi holds over 130 active patents and pending applications, underscoring his role as a pioneering force in Responsible AI.
Reflecting on the current landscape of AI, he describes this era as the ‘Golden Age’ of artificial intelligence. It’s an era where algorithms are more accessible and powerful, allowing businesses to channel them for transformative innovations across industries.
But is accessibility alone enough?
“Making AI work effectively for businesses isn’t just about deploying algorithms. It’s about doing so responsibly,” says Dr. Zoldi.
At FICO, Dr. Zoldi’s approach to responsible AI starts with transparency, fairness, and explainability. In his opinion, building trustworthy AI systems means providing clarity into how models are built and ensuring they are free from bias. “It’s about accountability,” he explains. “If AI system can’t be explained or evaluated for fairness, they’re not fit for real-world use.”
Dr. Zoldi then emphasizes the fact that the real challenge lies in integrating AI systems into everyday business operations. “Creating a powerful AI model is only the beginning,” he says. “The real question is how to make it work seamlessly across millions of transactions in real time.”
This sort of AI integration at FICO means designing systems that can function at scale without sacrificing accuracy or speed. It also requires ensuring that AI models are adaptable and are constantly evolving through new data inputs and refined algorithms. Dr. Zoldi emphasizes that this is an ongoing process involving testing, improving, and optimizing.
FICO implements a strategic approach that moves AI beyond experimental phases, refining it into a powerful tool for driving business performance and tangible results. It focuses on developing methods that combine AI with existing business infrastructure alongside data management systems that enable businesses to utilize AI functionality within regular operations.
Now, to turn the page onto one of Dr. Zoldi’s most significant contributions to the AI landscape—the AI Trust Score, a metric designed to provide a tangible measure of a model’s reliability. “The AI Trust Score helps organizations evaluate whether their AI systems are making fair, accurate, and explainable decisions,” he explains.
By providing a structured framework for evaluating AI models, the AI Trust Score builds confidence and accountability in the deployment process. Dr. Zoldi sees this as a critical component in earning the trust of clients and stakeholders alike.
Responsible AI for Dr. Zoldi is not only a technical endeavor but a collaborative one. His approach at FICO involves working closely with clients to understand their unique challenges and tailor AI solutions accordingly. “We build solutions that integrate seamlessly into an organization’s infrastructure,” he explains.
Sharing a glimpse of his foresight, Dr. Zoldi adds that FICO is always looking for ways to make AI better. “We have decades of experience and research, so we’re constantly inventing new ways to use AI to solve problems.”
Dr. Zoldi says, “When we work with customers, we always ask ourselves, how can we make things better for them?
What new technologies can we bring to solve their problems?” This approach differentiates FICO from the rest, and this is how it stays ahead in the AI space.
An extension of Dr. Zoldi’s leadership, FICO’s continued success in AI innovation is driven by his commitment to ethical practices. “Building Responsible AI systems isn’t just good business,” he adds. “It’s the only way to ensure that AI technology serves everyone’s best interests.”
As the AI space continues to evolve, FICO and Dr. Zoldi remain focused on developing systems that are both innovative and accountable. “The potential of AI is limitless. But its success depends on how responsibly we choose to harness it,” he concludes.
