• Dr Arun Chandra Mudhol

Abstract: As Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems become deeply embedded within modern business operations, the strategic need to cultivate trust has become paramount. While AI adoption offers immense potential—from predictive analytics and intelligent automation to personalized customer engagement—it simultaneously raises ethical, regulatory, and reputational risks. Existing frameworks in AI governance often focus on isolated aspects such as bias or fairness but fail to offer a comprehensive, actionable strategy to embed trust across the AI lifecycle. This paper introduces the T.E.A.M. Trust Model, a conceptual framework comprising four interdependent pillars: Transparency, Explainability, Accountability, and Mitigation. Designed to guide ethical AI adoption, the model offers businesses a structured approach to integrate trust-building mechanisms within their strategic planning, implementation, and governance processes. Through an exploratory methodology combining literature synthesis and multi-sectoral case studies—including IBM Watson for Oncology, HireVue’s AI recruitment tools, and OCBC Bank’s credit risk AI—the study demonstrates how trust directly influences adoption success or failure. Organizations that proactively embedded trust-centric design and oversight achieved higher stakeholder engagement and regulatory alignment, while those that neglected such measures faced public backlash, reduced credibility, or system decommissioning. The paper concludes with practical recommendations for implementing the T.E.A.M. model, including AI governance teams, ethics-oriented policy frameworks, risk registers, and cross-functional training. As businesses navigate a rapidly evolving AI regulatory landscape, the T.E.A.M. model serves not only as an ethical compass but as a catalyst for responsible innovation and business excellence.

Responsible AI, AI Governance, Ethical AI Adoption, Transparency and Explainability, AI Strategy, Business Ethics, Organizational Trust, AI Risk Mitigation, Strategic Technology Management, Digital Transformation

"Ethical and Strategic Imperatives for AI Adoption in Business Excellence", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 10, page no.c781-c805, October-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2510298.pdf

"Ethical and Strategic Imperatives for AI Adoption in Business Excellence", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 10, page no. ppc781-c805, October-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2510298.pdf