Study casts further doubt on the voluntary carbon market
Auditors are a key part of the world's voluntary carbon market system, which lets major polluters unofficially offset their greenhouse gas emissions by funding projects such as forest protection.
Although independent auditors are supposed to assess whether the projects actually are helpful, a recent study posted on the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School research site says they aren't.
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The study says the system for how auditors are paid creates a conflict of interest that encourages them to approve projects.
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AI stubbornly persists at the extremes: One extreme is limiting, treating AI as a fast-commoditizing tool that boosts performance by 5%-10%. The other is expansive, portraying AI as a disruptive force that is reshaping jobs, the nature of work, and what's fundamentally possible. Both are critical, but compelling outcomes live between those extremes. Ironically, AI, which promises disruption, may also enable transformation without massive organizational change. We often treat AI like a moonshot—a high-risk, high-reward bet requiring bold, expensive, and dramatic changes. But moonshots can have higher failure rates and cause disruption; they should be used strategically. Like an investment portfolio, diversity and balance yield the right gains at the appropriate risk levels. A smart investment strategy should include roof shots (measured upside, steady growth with scalable change) and chip shots (incremental and reliable, but limited structural change at scale). If a business chases extremes, it misses the value found between them. One middle-ground benefit is what I call low-friction transformation. The goal isn't for teams to overhaul how they work to accommodate AI; it's for AI to absorb as much change as possible. AI agents can flex around new or non-standard processes, so humans adapt only where it's required. Agents handle complex data and variability in processes, and give humans the outputs they need. AI works as an extension of humans by navigating complex systems and processes, and driving performance benefits and productivity gains without massive disruptions. This is where AI's precision matters most. Its strength isn't just what it can do, but how intentionally it's applied. AI can enhance the operating model in targeted ways that use agents to manage the differences where practical. It becomes part of the system and a lever for innovation—quietly powerful, deeply effective, and built for long-term impact. 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The payoff isn't always immediate, but if you don't do it, someone else will. THE PRAGMATIC PATH AHEAD AI has changed the game, but too many executives still treat it like past technology implementations. They assume it will disrupt teams and require major changes. The power of AI lies in its adaptability. It integrates into existing workflows, supports human output, and creates profound impact without huge change management. When deployed thoughtfully, AI strengthens teams and reduces friction. Tomorrow's leaders won't chase perfection. They'll pursue pragmatic, low-friction transformation on the path to reinvention.
