In today's complex institutions, responsibility can become vague even when professionals do everything "right." This book explains why many failures are not caused by bad actors or poor skills, but rather by decision systems that function smoothly while leaving no one clearly accountable for their outcomes. As algorithms, dashboards, and standardized workflows influence more of our decisions, traditional notions of professional responsibility no longer align with the scale and speed of modern practices.

By introducing the concept of answerability as a central professional capacity, the book demonstrates how good decisions depend on staying responsive to the real human and material consequences of actions, especially when rules and roles offer no guidance. Through real-life examples, the book reveals how seemingly successful outcomes can be problematic, how apparently compliant decisions can undermine care, and how high-performing systems can quietly erode accountability.

Designed for professionals and policymakers, the book offers practical tools to strengthen judgment, attention, and modern wisdom in an age of AI-driven governance.

Iris Stammberger is an organizational consultant, cognitive scientist, and educator whose work sits at the crossroads of human intelligence, technology, and decision-making. She studies how tools, institutions, and sociotechnical systems shape perception, judgment, and moral responsibility—especially as AI becomes embedded in everyday practice. Stammberger has worked internationally across higher education, international development, engineering, and biotechnology, advising both private and public organizations. She also leads professional development programs and organizational change workshops that help practitioners navigate complex decision environments.