When King Charles III remarked in Samoa that misuse of artificial intelligence could “destabilize the democratic fabric of our societies,” he wasn’t speaking in abstractions. In his November 2023 address, he underscored what many in the tech world already know: with AI’s growing presence in everything from healthcare to hiring, the line between innovation and inequality is dangerously thin. But now, with initiatives supported by the King’s charitable trusts, a fascinating question is gaining urgency—can the monarchy help make AI equitable on the frontlines?
Right now, the answer depends on how tech ethics and public policy evolve. And it’s becoming clear: AI’s most powerful utility won’t just lie in smarter machines—but in fairer systems.
The Double-Edged Scalpel: AI in Healthcare
Healthcare showcases AI’s immense promise—and its pitfalls. Diagnostic algorithms can now detect diseases like skin cancer or diabetic retinopathy faster than human doctors. In theory, this kind of tech should level the playing field in medicine. But here’s the catch: many of these systems are trained on data that overrepresent white, urban, and affluent populations.
A 2023 study from PMC found that AI tools used in hospitals often fail to account for social or ethnic nuances. That means a Black patient in a rural area could receive radically different—and potentially less effective—care compared to someone in a well-funded city hospital. While AI can help doctors make better decisions, it can also replicate or even amplify existing health disparities if not built with diverse data and ethical guardrails.
Surprisingly, only 15–20% of AI healthcare solutions have thorough bias-mitigation frameworks in place, according to researchers—raising serious questions about who benefits most from this tech revolution.
King Charles and the Push for Ethical Infrastructure
Unlike tech CEOs who often tout innovation with little oversight, King Charles has taken a more measured stance. He applauds AI’s potential to address climate change and disease, but he also warns against unchecked automation’s threat to privacy and livelihoods. Through The Prince’s Trust and other philanthropic orgs under his reign, efforts are emerging to support digital upskilling, inclusive data projects, and international AI safety cooperation.
But the crux of the issue isn’t just about better software—it’s about better policy. AI regulation has become a race among nations, not just technologists. Recent global efforts emphasize unified ethical standards, but enforcement remains inconsistent. Without coordinated governance, AI’s reach into critical sectors could worsen the gap between rich and poor regions—especially in healthcare.
One way to reframe the conversation? Incentivize AI tools that are transparent, fair, and built for public good.
Universal Basic Income: A Safety Net for the AI Economy?
It may sound like a fringe idea, but Universal Basic Income (UBI) is gaining traction as an antidote to AI-driven job loss. Charities funded by the Royal Foundation are now exploring UBI as a tool to soften the displacement that automation might trigger—especially in fields like retail, manufacturing, and yes, parts of healthcare.
UBI wouldn’t just buffer financial instability. It could enable individuals to re-skill, contribute to their communities, or even participate in AI development itself—bringing fresh perspectives from outside the traditional tech bubble. When workers are empowered, so is the algorithm.
You might be surprised to learn that pilot UBI programs have led to higher educational attainment, mental health improvements, and increased civic engagement—even where AI hasn’t yet taken hold.
Could such a safety net be a prerequisite for ethical AI?
Looking Ahead: The Royal Road to Fair Tech
King Charles’ entry into the AI ethics debate might seem ceremonial—but it’s anything but. His influence, especially through well-respected charities, is encouraging conversations that developers and legislators alike can no longer avoid. Multiple stakeholders—from hospitals testing AI triage tools to NGOs advocating for UBI—are now at a crossroads: how do we harness AI’s power without reinforcing the inequalities it promised to solve?
The answer may lie in a mix of common sense regulation, grassroots activism, and ethical design. But it’s clear that leadership from figures like King Charles, who emphasize moral responsibility alongside technical progress, plays a pivotal role in shaping AI that serves everyone—not just the few.
So, can a royal trust fix AI bias? Not alone. But it might just set a global precedent for the kind of policies, partnerships, and perspectives we urgently need.
Because if we’re building the future with machines, shouldn’t we also make sure it’s fair for humans?
Conclusion
If centuries-old institutions like the British monarchy are now among those leading the charge for ethical AI, what does that say about where tech innovation—and responsibility—are truly coming from? Maybe the future of artificial intelligence won’t be shaped solely in Silicon Valley labs, but in classrooms, clinics, and community centers supported by unlikely partners who dare to ask the harder questions. Who gets to benefit from AI? Who gets to decide how it’s built?
Perhaps the real power of AI isn’t just in what it can calculate—but in who it can include. As algorithms grow more sophisticated, the challenge isn’t just coding fairness into machines; it’s rediscovering what fairness means in a world being rewritten at digital speed. That’s not just a tech conversation. It’s a human one.
