In a world where rapid technological advancement is met with an increasingly fragile global economy, leadership must evolve. We face growing societal and climate challenges that require more than reactive, short-term solutions. They demand a visionary approach—one that leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies while keeping humanity at the core of decision-making. As AI continues to expand, enhancing our collective capabilities, it is essential that we maintain the human traits that set us apart—such as emotional intelligence (EQ)—to guide thoughtful, human-centered decisions.
Countries around the world are making significant strides in AI and technology. In the UK for example, organisations like The Alan Turing Institute are at the forefront of research addressing pressing societal issues. London-based DeepMind is revolutionising healthcare through AI-driven treatments and diagnostics, while companies like Octopus Energy are using AI to optimise energy consumption and accelerate the transition to renewables. These innovations exemplify how technology can drive sustainability and social impact.
In this context, leadership must evolve from a reactive mindset to one that embraces the transformative potential of AI while ensuring humanity stays at the core of decisions. The integration of technology with human traits like empathy, creativity, and ethical judgment will enable leaders to address the challenges of our time more effectively
At Anthropy, we bring together leaders from diverse sectors to collaborate on these critical global issues. Our mission is to inspire long-term thinking that fosters a more sustainable and inclusive future, with the UK’s leadership contributing to global solutions. Through initiatives like AI innovation, carbon capture projects, and national AI strategies, we see how technology can catalyse meaningful change, not only within the UK but worldwide.
The leadership imperative: From firefighting to forward thinking
In recent years, leaders across business, politics, and society have been increasingly forced into a reactive posture, responding to crises as they arise. Economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability, and environmental emergencies have made this approach understandable, but it is no longer sustainable.
The UK and wider global economy is at a critical juncture. With inflationary pressures, stagnant productivity, and widening inequality, the very foundations of stability are being tested. At the same time, the climate crisis looms larger than ever, with extreme weather events, resource scarcity, and biodiversity loss threatening not just the environment but the systems that underpin our lives.
In this context, we believe leadership must pivot. Leaders concerned for tomorrow, simply cannot continue to be reactive, purely to the challenges of the day; they need to anticipate and proactively address them for the longer term. Leaders must move from a mindset of scarcity and short term survival, to one of longer term thinking based around possibility and opportunity. Critically, we need to embrace technology not as a threat to humanity but as a partner in solving our greatest challenges.
AI and technology: The allies we need
Much of the public discourse around AI and advanced technologies has been dominated by fear: Will AI take our jobs? Will it make us less human? Will it exacerbate inequality? While these concerns are valid and demand careful consideration, I believe they miss a fundamental truth: AI and technology are tools, and like any tool, their impact depends on how we use them. Throughout our history we have grappled with such advances and although this may be the greatest yet, we need to rise to the challenge as our ancestors did to the arrival of such things as steam power, cars, planes and more recently the Internet. Such is the path of our human progress.
Far from replacing humanity, I envision a future where AI augments our ability to solve problems, create value, and build a more just and sustainable society. For instance, AI-driven advancements in healthcare, such as predictive algorithms for early disease detection, can significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare disparities. In environmental sustainability, AI is already being used to optimise energy consumption in smart grids, making it possible to better manage resources and reduce carbon footprints. At their best, AI and advanced technologies can enable us to address critical challenges at scale but technology alone will not save us, its power must be guided by the distinctly human qualities that define great leadership: empathy, creativity, thoughtfulness, and kindness. These qualities were key in initiatives like the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, where human collaboration and empathy in vaccine distribution proved essential. These are the traits that will ensure our relationship with AI is symbiotic rather than adversarial and these are the traits we promote at Anthropy.
Humanity at the core: The leadership traits of the future
As we adapt to a world which will be shaped by AI and automation, it is worth reflecting on what makes us uniquely human. Leadership in this new era will not be about outperforming machines; it will be about complementing them. The leaders of the future will excel in areas where humans remain irreplaceable:
- Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: While AI can process data and predict outcomes, it cannot replicate the emotional nuance of human connection. Great leaders will foster trust, understanding, and collaboration by genuinely caring for the people they lead.
- Creative Vision: Machines are excellent at analysing what is, but only humans can dream of what could be. The ability to think creatively and imagine new possibilities will be a cornerstone of leadership in the AI age.
- Ethical Judgment: As technology becomes more powerful, the ethical dilemmas it poses will grow more complex. Leaders must navigate these challenges with integrity, ensuring that innovation serves humanity rather than undermining it.
- Adaptability and Curiosity: In a world of constant change, the best leaders will approach uncertainty not with fear but with curiosity, seeing each challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow.
These qualities are not new, but they are more important than ever. The future will belong to leaders who combine human insight with technological prowess, creating a harmonious partnership that enhances both.
The role of collaboration: No sector has all the answers
One of the central tenets of Anthropy is the belief that no single sector, whether business, government, or civil society, has the answers to the challenges we face. True progress requires collaboration across silos, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise. The power of Anthropy lies in its ability to break down silos and create spaces for meaningful dialogue. We convene leaders from all walks of life, to move beyond superficial debates and begin crafting solutions that reflect the complexity of the issues at hand.
What does success look like?
How will we know if we are succeeding? For me, the measure of progress is not simply economic growth or technological innovation, but the extent to which we create a society where people feel valued, supported, and hopeful about the future.
Success will look like a world where workers displaced by automation find new opportunities that prioritise human creativity and care; where communities vulnerable to climate change are empowered with the tools and resources to adapt and thrive; where businesses align profitability with purpose, creating value not just for shareholders but for society as a whole and where people, regardless of their background, feel a sense of belonging and agency in shaping the future.
These outcomes are not inevitable, but they are within our reach, if we have the courage to lead with humanity and the foresight to embrace technology as an ally.
A call to action
As we leaders stand on the cusp of this new era, the responsibility falls on all of us to rise to the occasion. Anthropy is a space where these conversations begin. It is a forum for leaders who are ready to think boldly, act decisively, and collaborate meaningfully. I invite you to join us at Anthropy25, where we will continue exploring how humanity and technology can work together to solve the greatest challenges of our time.
Together, we can create a future where AI enhances human potential, where leadership is defined by empathy and vision, and where progress is measured not by profits alone but by the well-being of people and the planet.
This is our moment to lead. Let us look to make it count.
