Gerd Leonhard

Gerd Leonhard – “For the Human Future”

Gerd Leonhard is a futurist, humanist and thought leader focused on the future of humanity and technology. For more than two decades, he has explored major technological, economic and societal developments – and the question of how we can actively shape what comes next.

As a futurist, author and filmmaker, he connects Artificial Intelligence, exponential technologies and digital transformation with topics such as ethics, work, education, sustainability and social responsibility.

His perspective consistently puts people at the centre. Gerd Leonhard is interested not only in what technology will be able to do, but in what technological progress means for the way we live, work and organise society. His conviction is clear: technology should expand human possibilities without replacing human capabilities and values.

He describes this vision as “For the Human Future”: a liveable future in which technology serves people and the planet, while economic progress is linked to responsibility, sustainability and prosperity.

Gerd Leonhard Keynote Topics

• Navigating the Intelligence Revolution – Humans and Businesses in the Age of AI

We are entering a new technological era. Artificial Intelligence is evolving from a digital tool into systems that analyse, generate content, support decisions and increasingly act autonomously.

Gerd Leonhard explores how the “Intelligence Revolution” is changing business models, leadership, work and society. What role remains for humans when intelligent systems are available almost everywhere? Which decisions can we delegate to machines – and where is human judgement indispensable?

For organisations, the challenge lies in combining technological intelligence with distinctly human capabilities.

• Androrithms – What Makes Humans Irreplaceable

The more powerful algorithms become, the more important the qualities that define us as human beings become: empathy, intuition, creativity, imagination, values and judgement.

Gerd Leonhard calls these qualities “Androrithms” – the human counterpart to algorithms.

For companies, this means that investing in technology alone is not enough. Human capabilities must be developed with equal commitment. Gerd Leonhard does not see the future as a competition between humans and machines, but as an intelligent collaboration between their different strengths.

• Digital Ethics & AI Power – What Technology Can Do and What It Should Do

Not everything that is technically possible should automatically be implemented.

Who is responsible for decisions made with the support of AI? Which tasks should machines be allowed to take over? And how can we prevent technological power from becoming concentrated in the hands of only a few companies and platforms?

Gerd Leonhard sees digital ethics as a leadership responsibility. Alongside innovation and efficiency, organisations need to address governance, accountability and clear boundaries.

Technology has no morality of its own. Responsibility remains human.

• The Good Future – The Future Does Not Just Happen, We Shape It

Gerd Leonhard believes that a good future is possible.

Many of the technologies and scientific insights needed to address major global challenges already exist. The key question is how we choose to use them.

In his view, technological progress needs direction, purpose and human values. Companies should therefore measure success not only through growth and efficiency, but also through the long-term value they create for people and society.

For Gerd Leonhard, the future is not a fixed scenario. It is something we shape.

• The Future of Europe – Europe’s Role in the New World Order

Artificial Intelligence, geopolitical shifts and technological dependencies are forcing Europe to make fundamental strategic choices.

Gerd Leonhard argues for greater technological sovereignty, stronger innovation and closer European cooperation. Europe should neither simply adopt developments from the United States or China nor limit itself to regulating them. It needs to develop its own technological and economic perspective.

Democracy, humanism, sustainability and social cohesion can form the basis of a distinct European model for the future.

• The 5 Ps – People, Planet, Purpose, Peace & Prosperity

For decades, business has focused primarily on one “P”: profit.

Gerd Leonhard expands this perspective to five dimensions: People, Planet, Purpose, Peace and Prosperity.

Technology and economic success should be evaluated by the contribution they make to these goals. The 5 Ps provide a strategic framework for organisations seeking to combine growth with responsibility and sustainability.

• Future-Fit Learning, Education & New Work – Learning for a World Shaped by AI

As machines take over more routine tasks, we also need to rethink which skills people will need in the future.

Creativity, critical thinking, empathy, communication, collaboration and the ability to ask the right questions are becoming increasingly important.

Gerd Leonhard explores how companies, schools and universities can rethink learning. Continuous education and lifelong learning are becoming essential requirements in a world of work increasingly shaped by Artificial Intelligence.