Responsible leadership in the age of AI

Call it serendipity or Divine Providence. During the week of May 5 to 11, I accompanied a group of top Philippine business people to take a short upskilling course at one of the top business schools in the world, the IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain.

- BERNARDO M. VILLEGAS

This was part of the Executive Education course at the University of Asia and the Pacific called the Strategic Business Executive Program that upgrades the economic literacy of top executives of both private and public institutions.

With the ongoing thrust in the business world of upskilling, reskilling and retooling the work force, the very first example has to be set by the CEOs and top executives themselves. Among other knowledge and skills, they need an appreciation of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance their ability to lead.

I often remind top executives that even those who obtained their MBAs or other advanced degrees from the best business schools five or more years ago are already obsolete today in their knowledge of the tools and technologies of what is called the Industrial Revolution 4.0 which encompasses AI, Robotization, the Internet of Things and Data Analytics, among others.

We were fortunate to learn of the IESE Custom Program for top executives that is considered the best in the world. IESE professors conduct specialized programs on specific topics that address the upskilling needs of management personnel of corporations all over the world. Those interested in this very valuable training program can contact Dominique Hudson, Program Manager of the IESE Custom Program at [e-mail].

Little did we anticipate that in the very same week during which some of the top professors of the IESE Business School would be helping us attain a minimum understanding of AI and its responsible use in business, the whole world would be waiting with bated breath the election of a new Pope during the Conclave that was held after the death of Pope Francis the week before.