‘AI Must Serve Humanity, Not Rule It’: Sanjay Pradhan Pushes for Ethical Leadership at IAA Event

International Advertising Association (IAA) & The Artificial Intelligence Association of India (AIAI) in association with The Free Press Journal organised ‘IAA Conversations’ with Dr. Sanjay Pradhan, the President of the World Forum for Ethics in Business (WFEB) on 7^th March 2026 at the Free Press House, Mumbai. Dr Pradhan delivered a powerful message urging greater ethical accountability in the realm of artificial intelligence. Addressing a full house, Pradhan articulated a comprehensive vision for collaborative efforts between businesses, governments, and individuals to ensure AI benefits humanity, rather than the other way around.

Dr. Sanjay Pradhan, the President of the World Forum for Ethics in Business (WFEB)

Dr Pradhan said “Artificial intelligence has rapidly become one of the most powerful technologies that humanity has ever created, It is unlocking breakthroughs in medicine, science, and creativity at a pace unimaginable just a few years ago.” He cautioned; the same technology carries profound dangers. “The same technology that can transform lives can also inflict profound harm. It can turbocharge disinformation faster than truth can travel. It can steal our privacy, deepen injustice, and rob hundreds of millions of people of their livelihoods,” citing concerns raised by AI pioneers including Geoffrey Hinton, often called the godfather of AI.

“The question is no longer whether AI will shape our world. It already has shaped our world. The real question is whether we will shape AI with ethics, humanity, and wisdom,” he said.

Structured around four guiding questions – why, what, how, and who – Pradhan walked the audience through WFEB’s emerging AI Ethics Partnership, a global platform designed to advance responsible AI. He identified four priority challenges: disinformation, bias and discrimination, data privacy, and job security.

In a memorable metaphor, Pradhan described ethical AI as a three-layered cake. The outer layer represents visible outcomes – the business and social value ethical AI creates. The middle layer is culture, moving from ethical code to ethical practice within organisations. The innermost layer, he said, is the most important: the conscience of the individual leader.

Drawing on ancient Indian wisdom through WFEB co-founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Pradhan quoted, “Artificial intelligence can only reproduce what is stored. Absolute intelligence is boundless. Absolute intelligence is the all-pervading wellspring of conscience, creativity, and compassion.” He argued that breathwork and meditation practices can cultivate the calm, inner intelligence needed for ethical leadership – flipping the instinct from “What’s in it for me?” to “What can I do for you?”

He called on attendees to join WFEB’s AI Ethics Partnership, invest in ethical culture within their organisations, and collectively reward companies that lead with responsibility. “Let us rise in a magnificent murmuration of conscience,” he urged, “to ensure that artificial intelligence is guided by absolute intelligence, that technology reflects our deepest human values and not merely the cold logic of algorithms.”

Dr Pradhan in discussion with: Maninder Adityaraj Singh, Chief of Staff & Head of Innovation, Rediffusion Brand Solutions Pvt Ltd & Yash Johri, Lawer Supreme Court of India

Abhishek Karnani, President, IAA India Chapter giving the inaugural address

“AI has to be befriended and understood. Its ethical use and application will determine whether it will become a friend or foe. Dr. Pradhan’s lecture covered vast ground, focused on many dilemmas and enumerated many examples. AIAI treated this as a pre-launch event and we are happy we partnered with IAA on this” said Dr Sandeep Goyal, Managing Director, Rediffusion & National Convenor, AIAI.

About IAA

The International Advertising Association is the world’s only globally-focused integrated advertising trade association with membership representing Advertising agencies and the Media. The IAA comprises Corporate Members, Organizational Members, Educational Affiliates, as well as 56 Chapters with individual members and young professionals from 76 countries including the top 10 economies in the world. IAA is over 80 years’ old and is headquartered in New York.

Membership to the Indian Chapter of IAA is by invitation only and IAA has very senior marketing, advertising and media professionals as it members.  IAA in India is seen as the most active chapter by IAA Global. IAA India is well-recognized for some of its marquee events like the IAA Leadership Awards, IAA Olive Crown Awards, IndIAA Awards, IAA Voice of Change, IAA Debates, IAA Conversations, IAA Young Turks Forum and an array of IAA Knowledge Seminars, Webinars, Workshops, Conclaves etc.

For more information visit www.iaaindiachapter.org or email secretariat@iaaindiachapter.org