The Moral Weight of Trust — With Chris McCLean

In this episode of Deep Pockets, Petra sits down with Chris McClean, Global Lead for Digital Ethics at Avanade, to explore the delicate balance between trust, power, and technology. Chris unpacks his research on the risks and benefits of trusting relationships, and the moral obligations that come with endorsing others. The conversation ranges from the global “grievance” mood captured by the Edelman Trust Barometer to the complexities of AI governance and responsible tech. Chris shares why organizational culture is key to ethical AI, how incentives shape behavior, and why trust isn’t always the goal; sometimes warranted distrust is healthier. It’s a thoughtful deep dive into ethics, responsibility, and hope for a more accountable digital future.

Find Chris on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-mcclean/

Find the Edelman Trust barometer 2025 https://www.edelman.com/trust/2025/trust-barometer

Podcast homepage https://petrasoderling.com/podcast

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