If I run an AI business, then people using more AI means more business. If noone uses my AI then I go out of business

Increasing shareholder value can be done in the broadest sense by just increasing business

If I fund my own business, I can control growth and _choose_ ethics over profits, in the hope that stunting growth is acceptable if my customers value ethics too, and that whomever I someday pass my company to shares these values

If I take capital investment, I now have a contractual agreement to provide returns on that investment. Yes failure to adhere can result in lawsuits or legal penalties. Or I can be fired/voted out for failing to bring high enough returns. I now _cannot_ choose ethics over profits, due to the conflict of interest of self-preservation

So you are correct - there is no legal or moral contract to behave unethically, but there is instead a strong systemic and self-preserving incentive to do so

I think we almost agree here, but you make it sound as if the exec can simply stand up and do the right thing here. I argue the exec will simply be pushed aside for another

This is what people refer to when they talk about the binds that hold modern day mega-corps

If you yourself are an exec, I personally think you can understand these truths and work with them as best you can, and still be a good human being of course, but that there are lines that should not be crossed to keep a job

It is a collective issue we need to solve that of course starts with each individual seeing the true situation with kindness and compassion