Guardians of AI: Manoj Kumar of Orderific On How AI Leaders Are Keeping AI Safe, Ethical, Responsible, and True
An Interview With Yitzi Weiner
We actively seek feedback from our users to refine and enhance our AI systems. By understanding the unique challenges faced by restaurateurs, we can adapt our technology to better meet their needs, ensuring that it remains relevant, effective, and aligned with ethical standards.
As AI technology rapidly advances, ensuring its responsible development and deployment has become more critical than ever. How are today’s AI leaders addressing safety, fairness, and accountability in AI systems? What practices are they implementing to maintain transparency and align AI with human values? To address these questions, we had the pleasure of interviewing Manoj Kumar.
Manoj Kumar is the founder of Orderific, a platform revolutionizing how restaurant owners use technology to compete and thrive. With years of experience in AI and automation, Manoj recognized a significant challenge-powerful resources were often limited to large chains, leaving many businesses at a disadvantage. Determined to address this, he created Orderific to make advanced, easy-to-use digital solutions accessible to all. His mission is to empower restaurant entrepreneurs to streamline operations, save time, and enhance customer experiences. By bridging this gap, Manoj is creating new opportunities for businesses of all sizes to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
The idea for Orderific came from seeing how large chains benefited from advanced technology while independent restaurants were often stuck using outdated tools. These businesses, run by hardworking people, faced challenges that limited their ability to grow and excel. Local restaurants are more than just businesses-they bring people together, reflect community culture, and play a key role in local economies. They needed access to technology that could help them stand out without losing their unique identity.
I started Orderific to provide independent restaurants with the support they need to compete on the same level as large chains. Our technology is designed to meet their specific needs, helping them simplify operations, build stronger customer connections, and succeed in today’s digital world. At Orderific, we are committed to supporting local restaurants, ensuring they thrive and remain vital to their communities. Every solution we develop is focused on helping these businesses adapt, grow, and continue to be an integral part of their neighborhoods.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for, who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
I am incredibly grateful to a former colleague and mentor who taught me the value of looking beyond immediate challenges and focusing on long-term impact. Early in my career, I was working on a complex automation project and struggling to balance innovation with practicality. My mentor gave me advice that has stayed with me ever since: “Always ask yourself-Is this strategy designed for lasting impact, rather than just solving current problems?”
That single piece of advice fundamentally changed how I approach problem-solving. It taught me to think ahead, beyond short-term fixes, and prioritize strategies that create lasting value. This mindset has been instrumental in shaping Orderific. When designing features for restaurant owners, I don’t just focus on their current pain points-I think about how these resources can evolve with their business and help them compete in the future.
This forward-thinking philosophy continues to guide me, and I credit my mentor for helping me develop the perspective needed to build something meaningful and impactful.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
- Visionary Thinking
I have always focused on anticipating future needs rather than just addressing current challenges. When I noticed that small restaurant owners were being left behind in accessing advanced digital tools, I saw an opportunity to create something impactful. This vision led to the development of Orderific, providing businesses with the tools they need to compete and grow sustainably. By looking ahead, I was able to create solutions that support their long-term success. - Adaptability
The tech industry is constantly evolving, and success often depends on the ability to adapt quickly. One defining moment for me was recognizing the growing demand for seamless, contactless experiences in the restaurant industry. As customer expectations shifted toward convenience and efficiency, it became clear that traditional approaches were no longer enough. By identifying this trend early, we focused on creating innovations that helped restaurants modernize their operations and better serve their customers. This experience reinforced the importance of adaptability-not just reacting to change, but proactively leveraging it to deliver value. Flexibility in responding to evolving needs has been a key driver of success, both for Orderific and the businesses we support. - Empathy
Recognizing the challenges faced by restaurateurs has always been a key focus of my work. During conversations with restaurant operators, I learned that many were struggling with staffing shortages, which directly impacted their ability to serve customers effectively. This insight inspired us to develop self-service ordering features, enabling restaurants to operate smoothly even with limited staff. By listening and responding to their needs, we created innovations that truly make a difference.
Thank you for all that. Let’s now turn to the main focus of our discussion about how AI leaders are keeping AI safe and responsible. To begin, can you list three things that most excite you about the current state of the AI industry?
- Practical AI Applications
AI is no longer confined to theoretical concepts; it’s being used to solve real-world problems across industries. For example, content creators are utilizing AI technologies to simplify video production, allowing them to generate personalized content more efficiently. This shift toward practical and impactful use cases demonstrates the transformative potential of AI in everyday life. - Focus on Efficiency and Accessibility
Companies are prioritizing the development of technologies that are both efficient and accessible. This includes innovations like specialized processing systems that handle complex tasks more effectively, reducing barriers for small businesses to adopt advanced technologies. These efforts are making technology accessible to everyone, not just big corporations, but also smaller businesses. - Integration of AI in Everyday Devices
The incorporation of AI into consumer devices is making advanced technology more accessible to everyone. For instance, Microsoft’s upcoming mini PCs with AI-driven features bring advanced tools to homes and businesses alike. This widespread accessibility enables individuals and businesses to leverage AI for their specific needs, creating new opportunities for innovation and growth.
Conversely, can you tell us three things that most concern you about the industry? What must be done to alleviate those concerns?
- Bias in AI Systems
Many AI models unintentionally inherit biases from their training data, leading to unfair treatment in critical areas like hiring, lending, and customer service. If left unaddressed, these biases can deepen existing inequalities and reduce trust in AI. To fix this, AI systems should undergo regular audits with diverse datasets. Developers need to apply fairness measures to ensure equal outcomes across all groups, promoting accountability and trust. - Data Privacy and Security
AI relies heavily on vast amounts of data, but the way this data is collected, stored, and used often lacks transparency. Mismanagement or breaches can harm users and severely undermine trust in AI tools. To alleviate this concern, stricter data protection regulations, such as GDPR-like frameworks, must be enforced globally. Companies need to prioritize transparency, giving users clear control over how their data is used and ensuring its safety. - Overconcentration of AI Capabilities
The control held by a few large corporations in the AI industry is restricting innovation and limiting access to transformative advancements. This concentration hinders competition, reduces opportunities for independent businesses, and risks increasing the divide in technology access. To address this, we need to make AI more affordable and accessible for small businesses and communities with limited resources. Initiatives that promote open access and investments in local AI development can empower independent businesses and create a more inclusive AI landscape.
As a CEO leading an AI-driven organization, how do you embed ethical principles into your company’s overall vision and long-term strategy? What specific executive-level decisions have you made to ensure your company stays ahead in developing safe, transparent, and responsible AI technologies?
At Orderific, embedding ethical principles into our vision and long-term strategy remains at the core of our operations. We prioritize transparency, data ownership, accessibility, and sustainability to provide restaurant entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed responsibly.
We prioritize transparency and data ownership by giving restaurant entrepreneurs full control over their customer data. It strengthens the direct relationships between restaurants and their customers, fostering trust and engagement. Accessibility is another fundamental part of our strategy. We focus on providing affordable and tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of small and mid-sized restaurants, ensuring they can access advanced tools without undue limitations. Also, we integrate sustainability into our platform by leveraging smart technology to reduce waste and support environmentally friendly practices, contributing to a greener future for the hospitality industry.
On the executive level, we have implemented clear ethical guidelines to govern the development and deployment of our technologies. These guidelines emphasize fairness, accountability, and user-centric values. To ensure we stay ahead in developing safe and transparent technologies, we conduct regular audits to identify and address any biases or ethical concerns in our systems. This proactive approach ensures that our platform remains reliable and trustworthy.
Furthermore, we actively engage with stakeholders, including restaurateurs and their customers, to gather feedback and improve our solutions. This collaborative process ensures that our technologies not only meet the needs of users but also align with ethical principles. By embedding these values into our vision and making deliberate executive decisions, we are committed to developing safe, transparent, and responsible technologies that support restaurant owners and create lasting value in the industry.
Have you ever faced a challenging ethical dilemma related to AI development or deployment? How did you navigate the situation while balancing business goals and ethical responsibility?
One of the most meaningful challenges we encountered at Orderific was during the development of our AI-driven inventory management system. The task was to utilize the advanced capabilities of AI while ensuring it remained accessible to owners with varying levels of technological expertise. We saw this as an opportunity to create a system that could simplify operations and build trust, rather than overwhelm users with complexity.
To achieve this, we adopted a user-first approach. We engaged directly with restaurant operators through interviews and usability tests to better understand their specific needs and comfort levels with technology. Their insights shaped the design of the system, leading us to create a streamlined interface that delivers clear, actionable recommendations customized to their business needs. By automating technical adjustments, we eliminated unnecessary complexity and focused on enabling users to make confident, informed decisions.
This process reaffirmed our commitment to ethical innovation. By combining advanced technology with simplicity, we not only met our business goals but also created a solution that truly supports restaurateurs. This experience reinforced an important principle for us-technology should enable and empower its users. This belief continues to guide our development process as we work to build impactful and intuitive tools that help businesses thrive.
Many people are worried about the potential for AI to harm humans. What must be done to ensure that AI stays safe?
Ensuring AI remains safe starts with a simple truth-human judgment must always be at the center. Technology should function as a knowledgeable assistant-offering insights and suggestions while leaving critical decisions in human hands. This balance ensures that AI enhances human expertise rather than replacing it.
To support this human-centered approach, clear boundaries are essential. Just as safety protocols exist in hospitals and manufacturing plants, technology requires similar guardrails. Critical decision points should include human oversight, with multiple checkpoints allowing users to review, modify, or decline automated suggestions. These safeguards help maintain efficiency while protecting against potential errors or unintended outcomes.
Transparency serves as the foundation for these safety measures to work effectively. Users must understand what data is being collected, how it is being used, and why specific recommendations are made. Across industries-from banking to social media-we’ve seen that transparency directly impacts trust. When people understand how a system operates, they can use it more effectively and identify potential issues before they escalate into larger problems.
By combining human oversight, well-defined boundaries, and complete transparency, we can create technology that serves its true purpose-helping people work smarter while keeping them in control. The goal isn’t to build systems that operate independently, but to develop tools that amplify human capabilities while respecting human judgment.
Despite huge advances, AIs still confidently hallucinate, giving incorrect answers. In addition, AIs will produce incorrect results if they are trained on untrue or biased information. What can be done to ensure that AI produces accurate and transparent results?
It begins with verified data. Every recommendation must be grounded in accurate, reliable information, such as real sales data, customer behavior, and inventory movements. Clean, validated data minimizes errors and establishes a strong foundation for dependable AI outcomes.
Maintaining accuracy also involves implementing multiple checkpoints. Predictions are cross-verified against historical trends, seasonal patterns, and user feedback. If any of these factors conflict, the system pauses for review, ensuring that flawed recommendations are identified and corrected before they reach the user.
Equally important is prioritizing human expertise. Users should have the ability to adjust or override system suggestions, providing feedback that helps refine the AI’s accuracy over time. This collaborative feedback loop ensures continuous improvement while keeping decision-making power firmly in human hands.
By following these principles, AI systems can consistently deliver reliable, transparent results. This empowers users to make informed and effective decisions, making accuracy not just a technical achievement, but a core obligation to those who depend on these tools.
Here is the primary question of our discussion. Based on your experience and success, what are your “Five Things Needed to Keep AI Safe, Ethical, Responsible, and True”? Please share a story or an example for each.
- Prioritize User-Centric Design
We focus on creating intuitive interfaces that are easy for restaurant owners to navigate, regardless of their technical background. By simplifying complex AI functionalities, we make technology accessible and reduce the risk of misuse. For instance, our platform offers customizable QR codes and menus, enabling seamless integration between online and in-restaurant experiences without requiring advanced technical skills. - Implement Rigorous Data Validation
Accurate data is the backbone of reliable AI systems. We ensure that the information feeding our AI models-such as sales data, customer behavior, and inventory movements-is clean and validated. This practice minimizes errors and enhances the quality of AI-driven recommendations, helping restaurant operators make informed decisions. - Maintain Transparency in Operations
Transparency is essential for building trust and ensuring AI functions as intended. Users need to understand how AI operates, what information it relies on, and the rationale behind its conclusions. This openness builds trust and allows users to effectively utilize the technology, knowing that their data is handled responsibly. - Ensure Human Oversight and Control
While AI provides valuable insights, final decisions rest with the restaurant entrepreneurs. Our platform includes features that allow users to review, modify, or override AI-generated suggestions. This approach ensures that human judgment remains central, preventing over-reliance on automation and maintaining the personal touch that is crucial in the hospitality industry. - Continuous Learning and Improvement
We actively seek feedback from our users to refine and enhance our AI systems. By understanding the unique challenges faced by restaurateurs, we can adapt our technology to better meet their needs, ensuring that it remains relevant, effective, and aligned with ethical standards.
Looking ahead, what changes do you hope to see in industry-wide AI governance over the next decade?
In the future, I see several key areas where AI governance can evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly advancing industry. One of the most important changes will involve developing shared standards and frameworks to ensure consistency and accountability. With AI being adopted across diverse sectors, a unified strategy for governance can help address common challenges like transparency, fairness, and data security.
Ethical AI development will also become increasingly important. As AI systems play a larger role in everyday decisions, prioritizing fairness, privacy, and transparency will help maintain trust. Standardized practices for auditing and evaluating AI systems can ensure they meet these ethical benchmarks consistently.
Collaboration among stakeholders is another essential component of future governance. Businesses, researchers, and policymakers each bring valuable perspectives to the table. By working together, they can develop solutions that balance innovation with practical safeguards, ensuring AI technologies benefit everyone.
Flexibility in governance will be crucial as technology evolves. AI advancements often outpace traditional regulatory approaches, making it necessary to adopt adaptive models that evolve in step with emerging innovations. This allows for timely responses to new opportunities and challenges without hindering progress.
Lastly, improving AI literacy is vital to effective governance. Equipping people with a clear understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations will help ensure its responsible use. Education initiatives targeting businesses, users, and decision-makers can bridge knowledge gaps and create a more informed and engaged community.
By focusing on these areas, the industry can create a governance framework that supports innovation while ensuring safety, accountability, and fairness. These efforts will help establish AI as a reliable and responsible tool that positively impacts society.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge for AI over the next decade, and how should the industry prepare?
The biggest challenge for AI in the coming decade will be finding the balance between innovation and trust. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into critical areas like healthcare, finance, and public services, the stakes are higher than ever. While technology advances rapidly, societal understanding and acceptance often struggle to keep up. Bridging this trust gap will be crucial for AI’s long-term success.
One key issue is explainability. Many AI systems operate as “black boxes,” producing results without offering clear reasoning that humans can understand. This lack of transparency creates skepticism, even when the technology functions as intended. The industry must prioritize the development of AI systems that clearly explain their decisions in simple terms. For instance, rather than merely flagging a loan application as “high-risk,” an AI system should detail the factors contributing to that assessment in a way users and decision-makers can easily comprehend.
Another challenge lies in aligning AI with human values. Without proper oversight, algorithms risk unintentionally reinforcing biases or causing harm. To mitigate this, ethics must be embedded into every stage of AI development. This involves incorporating diverse perspectives during the design and testing phases to minimize unintended consequences and ensure fairness across all applications.
The rapid pace of AI adoption also raises critical questions about accountability. As AI takes on greater decision-making roles, it becomes essential to define responsibility when errors or failures occur. Clear accountability frameworks will help establish confidence in AI systems while ensuring responsibilities are well-defined across developers, users, and organizations.
Collaboration is essential for establishing global standards that integrate innovation with necessary safeguards. Governments, academia, and private companies must align on guidelines for data privacy, transparency, and ethical practices to ensure AI benefits everyone, regardless of industry or location.
AI’s potential is limitless, but trust will determine how far it can truly go. By prioritizing explainability, ethics, accountability, and collaboration, the industry can create a future where AI is not only powerful but also trusted and embraced by all.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I’d inspire a movement to make advanced technology accessible to small businesses, starting with independent restaurants. One pressing issue is that while small businesses generate about 44% of U.S. economic activity, they are often excluded from the advanced tools that could help them grow and remain competitive.
Think about your favorite local restaurant. While large chains use sophisticated systems to optimize everything from inventory to customer relationships, family-owned establishments often rely on handwritten orders and manual processes. This approach isn’t just inefficient-it jeopardizes their ability to stay competitive in today’s digital landscape.
That’s why our vision is simple : “Technology for All.” When independent restaurants gain access to the same resources as major chains, they don’t just adapt-they thrive. Smart inventory systems cut down on waste, digital ordering platforms improve customer interactions, and data insights drive more informed business decisions.
The benefits of this movement extend beyond individual businesses. Successful local restaurants create jobs, support local suppliers, and keep profits within their communities. They preserve the unique flavors, cultural diversity, and personal service that make neighborhoods special.
This vision could be a model for making technology accessible across all businesses. By providing affordable and powerful solutions, we’re equipping businesses to take control of their growth, strengthening local economies, and shaping a future where innovation is shared by all.
How can our readers follow your work online?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Orderific_official-108881185099939
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orderific_official/
Personal LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/manojment/
Orderific’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orderific
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwZQYL2NIE-tKvUmq_LFktg
Twitter : https://x.com/OrderificHQ
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.
Guardians of AI: Manoj Kumar of Orderific On How AI Leaders Are Keeping AI Safe, Ethical… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.