Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 1...

Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 15 to 24.

"Al washing"—the practice of exaggerating artificial intelligence capabilities to appear more innovative—is creating a serious credibility crisis. Much like its predecessor, greenwashing, this trend threatens to erode trust and stifle genuine progress. [I] But this is not simply a marketing issue. It is a reflection of a flawed organizational culture, one that often starts at the very top and is driven by a fundamental disconnect between leadership and technology.

The problem is often rooted in a lack of technical literacy among senior executives. When leaders cannot critically evaluate AI's true capabilities and limitations, they become susceptible to internal hype and external market pressures. This knowledge gap fosters an environment where unsubstantiated claims go unchecked, driven by a corporate culture that prizes the appearance of "perpetual innovation" and is gripped by a fear of missing out (FOMO). [II] The focus shifts to short-term stock performance and market buzz, incentivizing the use of "AI" as a label rather than a deeply integrated, value-creating tool.

Countering this requires a deliberate and profound cultural shift, moving away from hype and toward integrity. Organizations must instill a culture of rigorous transparency and accountability, where all technological claims are substantiated through internal audits before being publicized. This involves creating an environment of healthy skepticism, where employees are empowered to ask hard questions and challenge unsubstantiated assertions. [III] Success must be redefined, shifting focus from short-term market reactions to long-term value creation, measured by tangible improvements in efficiency and real return on investment.

The responsibility for championing this change falls squarely on the CEOs, who must serve as the organization's ethical gatekeepers. [IV] True leadership demands rejecting the allure of inflated claims in favor of an honest, evidence-based approach to technology. The companies that will thrive in the AI era will not be those who shout the loudest, but those who build sustainable value through authentic innovation. In the end, the real rewards of AI—and the enduring trust of customers and investors—will belong to the organizations that choose substance over spectacle.

Question 15: By deliberately overstating their use of artificial intelligence, companies ultimately engender ______.

A. a flawed organizational culture that starts at the very top
B. a fundamental disconnect between a firm’s leadership and its marketing
C. a marketing issue comparable to its predecessor, greenwashing
D. a loss of public confidence and subsequent reputational harm