Are we delegating responsibility to AI?
18.03.2026
The award-winning paper by Blum Foundation Professor Sabrina Schneider from the FHV and Elena Freisinger from Ilmenau University of Technology, which was recognized as the best published paper in the European Management Journal, sheds light on precisely these questions. It examines cases with significant moral and social consequences - such as mass layoffs or plant closures - and shows how people react to decisions made by AI.
Who delegates - and why?
The results make it clear that the role strongly influences the willingness to delegate: those who make decisions for themselves are more willing to delegate difficult decisions to an AI, while those who make decisions on behalf of others show significantly more restraint, as their responsibility towards third parties is paramount. The perspective of those affected is surprising: Many do not automatically prefer human decision-makers. The diverging expectations between decision-makers and those affected illustrate how complex questions of responsibility, legitimacy and fairness are in the AI context.
Why AI delegation remains tricky?
The study shows that efficiency alone is not enough. Decisions with moral weight raise questions about responsibility, transparency and social impact. AI remains a "black box" for many and any mistake can damage trust. At the same time, small, harmless mistakes can paradoxically promote trust because they make the technology appear more human.
Sabrina Schneider: "We need to understand how AI works"
Responsible use of AI requires more than just technical expertise. "Society and companies need a solid foundation of AI literacy. Nobody has to be able to program themselves, but understanding how AI works, learns and where its limits lie is essential," Sabrina Schneider is convinced, adding that critical thinking is also required: questioning, reflecting, recognizing risks. Education is the key. This means acquiring not only technical knowledge, but also ethical and social skills in order to use AI responsibly. "AI is not a neutral helper, but an actor that is changing our working world. We have to learn when to relinquish responsibility and when to consciously retain it," summarizes Schneider.
Conclusion
AI is not only changing work processes, but also our understanding of responsibility. The key question is therefore not whether we delegate decisions to AI, but how we ensure that humanity and fairness are maintained. This is where the real challenge begins as well for companies, politicians and every single person.
Contact:
Dr. Sabrina SCHNEIDER
Head of research group Digital Business Transformation and Blum Endowed Professor
+43 5572 792 3881
sabrina.schneider@fhv.at
