Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged businesses to approach artificial intelligence (AI) with a balance of optimism and caution, noting that if used responsibly, it can support sustainable development. He shared these views in his keynote speech at the Asia Forum on Enterprises for Society 2025, hosted by the Asian Institute of Management.
Mr. Ban pointed out that AI is rapidly becoming part of daily operations across all industries. Many companies are now using it to understand customer behavior, improve services, and make faster decisions.
“Businesses are beginning to integrate AI into their use of data to anticipate customer needs, personalize experiences, and make decisions faster than ever before,” he told attendees. “AI-driven analytics is now guiding strategies in manufacturing, healthcare, and finance, enabling businesses to be efficient and resilient in times of uncertainty.”
Even as AI becomes more commonplace, Ban reminded leaders that the technology poses challenges that cannot be ignored. Issues such as biased decision-making, privacy risks, and potential job losses require stronger governance and clearer guidelines. He emphasized that companies need to ensure that AI is consistent with human values and supports transparency and accountability.
For Ban, companies will succeed by viewing AI as a strategic partner rather than just a cost-cutting tool. He emphasized that leaders need to understand how AI works while also considering the broader impact it has on people and communities. This requires a combination of technical knowledge and thoughtful judgment, he said.
Mr. Ban explained that the next decade is a time when organizations need to find the right balance between technology and responsibility. He encouraged businesses to continue building people-centric systems and processes based on trust, openness and inclusivity. Although AI can speed up many tasks, human oversight should remain at the core of decision-making, he said.
His commitment to the ethical use of technology reflects his long-standing focus on governance. Since 2017, Mr. Ban has chaired the International Olympic Committee’s Ethics Committee, working on issues related to fairness and accountability.
“AI promises to offer immense opportunities to realize the Sustainable Development Goals, but it also poses serious challenges such as bias, privacy, job losses, and the need for new forms of digital governance and ethics,” he said.
Mr. Ban, co-founder of the Ban Ki-moon Center for Global Citizenship, encouraged leaders in various sectors to adopt AI in a transparent and responsible manner. He emphasized that AI should enhance human creativity and productivity, rather than simply replacing humans or automating tasks without considering the consequences.
“AI is not replacing us; it is redefining what it means to be productive, creative and intelligent,” he said. “The question is no longer whether companies will use AI, but how wisely and responsibly they will use it, exercising the courage to overcome the risks.”
As companies expand their use of AI, Mr. Ban suggested some practical steps. One is to build stronger technical literacy among leaders so that decision makers understand how AI systems work and where errors can occur. He said this knowledge can help organizations avoid misuse and predict risks early.
He also urged companies to develop AI systems through an open and inclusive process. This includes checking data for bias, protecting privacy, and assessing the impact of automation on work. According to Ban, these practices are essential to maintaining trust and sharing the benefits of AI more widely.
Mr. Ban said AI can support development goals if organizations pay close attention to both opportunities and risks. He reminded business leaders that technology should work for people, not the other way around, and that responsible leadership will determine the extent to which AI can contribute to improving lives.
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