Prof. Dr. Peter G. Kirchschläger

Expert in Ethics, Future of Work, AI & Society

Prof. Dr. Peter G. Kirchschläger - Biography

Peter G. Kirchschläger is a philosopher and theologian. He is a full professor of theological ethics and director of the Institute for Social Ethics (ISE) at the University of Lucerne, as well as a visiting professor at ETH Zurich.

Peter G. Kirchschläger is the world’s leading authority on ethics and artificial intelligence, robotics and the future of work, as well as ethics in entrepreneurship and business. Peter G. Kirchschläger is one of the leading visionaries shaping the ethical future. He combines the pressing issues of our time – artificial intelligence, leadership, innovation, sustainability, democracy and human rights – with a clear, practical perspective. He was recently described by an international newspaper as the ‘Henri Dunant of the AI war’.

His talks demonstrate how responsible action becomes a key factor for success for businesses, organisations and society. With academic excellence, inspiring examples and an authentic stage presence, he provides guidance in an increasingly complex world.

Peter G. Kirchschläger captivates his audience with insights that stimulate reflection, broaden perspectives and encourage people to shape change actively, responsibly and with an eye to the future.

Peter G. Kirchschläger’s Lecture Topics

Ethics as a Key to Success – Why Responsibility is the Strongest Strategy for the Future
How value-driven behaviour builds trust, fosters innovation and enables long-term success.
Shaping Artificial Intelligence Responsibly
Seizing opportunities, understanding risks and developing ethical guidelines for the use of AI.
Leadership in Times of Uncertainty and Change
Providing direction, strengthening trust and making decisions when complexity becomes part of everyday life.
Human Rights, Sustainability and Future-Proofing
Why social responsibility is becoming a decisive competitive advantage for companies and organisations.

Further presentation topics:

AI can do anything. But should it be allowed to do everything?
Humans in the age of algorithms
Between innovation and responsibility – How ethics becomes a key factor in the success of digitalisation
Values rather than warnings – Why the future of technology must be ethical
Trust is the new currency of digitalisation
Responsible AI – How companies are shaping the future through ethics

Peter G. Kirchschläger is one of the leading voices at the intersection of ethics, society and shaping the future. With sound academic expertise, inspiring insights and clear, accessible language, he captivates his audience far beyond the academic sphere. His talks combine the latest knowledge with practical perspectives and encourage listeners to rethink complex challenges.

People. Machines. Responsibility. – Making Successful Decisions in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

With every new technological development, questions about responsibility, transparency and trust also grow. Who will make decisions in the future – humans or machines? And what role do leadership, ethics and human rights play in an increasingly automated world? Peter G. Kirchschläger demonstrates, in a practical and accessible way, how organisations can use AI responsibly, identify risks at an early stage and combine innovation with a values-driven corporate culture. A keynote speech that provides guidance and inspires confidence in a responsible future.

Technology Needs Values – Why Ethics Is the Key to the Digital Future

Artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven decision-making are fundamentally transforming the economy and society. Yet technological innovation alone does not create progress. Peter G. Kirchschläger explains why an ethical approach is becoming a crucial skill for the future and how companies can successfully combine innovation, trust and responsibility. An inspiring keynote on how technology can serve humanity – and why values will become the most important competitive advantage of the digital future.

Peter G. Kirchschläger – Providing guidance in a changing world

His talks are characterised by academic depth, inspiring examples and a strong practical focus. He succeeds in presenting complex issues in an accessible way and offering food for thought that continues to resonate long after the event has ended. Whether addressing executives, specialist audiences or a broad audience, Peter G. Kirchschläger is able to engage and inspire diverse target groups alike.

As an internationally sought-after speaker, he brings a wealth of experience from research, teaching and dialogue with the business world, politics and civil society. His authentic manner, analytical perspective and ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice make him a valued discussion partner and source of inspiration.

Peter G. Kirchschläger – Ethics that shape the future

How can we act responsibly in a rapidly changing world? What values do businesses, politics and society need in order to successfully tackle the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, digitalisation and global change? Peter G. Kirchschläger provides answers that are scientifically sound, practical and inspiring in equal measure.

As an internationally renowned ethicist, human rights expert and visionary, he combines excellent research with an exceptional ability to convey complex concepts in a clear and engaging manner. His talks open up new perspectives, challenge the status quo and highlight concrete ways in which responsibility, innovation and sustainable success can be linked.

With clarity, depth and an authentic presence, keynote speaker Peter G. Kirchschläger inspires executives, entrepreneurs, decision-makers and specialist audiences alike. His keynote speeches provide inspiring impetus for all those who wish not only to observe the future, but to actively shape it.

Whether it is ethics in artificial intelligence, values-based leadership, sustainability or human rights – Ethicist Peter G. Kirchschläger makes it clear that ethical thinking is not a theoretical luxury, but a crucial skill for the future. He demonstrates how organisations can build trust, make responsible decisions and provide guidance even in times of great uncertainty.

Fascinating topics, insights, questions and reflections on current issues

Opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence
Can AI take on responsibility?
Who bears responsibility for AI?
Is artificial intelligence really intelligent?
Consciousness, emotions and the limits of machines
AI and the future of human work
Governance and regulation of AI
AI, politics, society and power
AI, religion, art and our view of humanity
AI and Health
AI and Medicine

His speaking style is as well-founded as it is approachable, as inspiring as it is relevant to practice. He combines academic excellence with illustrative examples, current developments and concrete recommendations for action. The result is talks that not only inform, but also stimulate reflection, open up discussions and drive lasting change.

Peter G. Kirchschläger is a consultant on ethical issues for national and international organisations and institutions (including the UN, UNICEF and the EU), as well as for companies and NGOs. He is President of the Swiss National Ethics Committee on Non-Human Biotechnology (EKAH) and of the ‘Smart Lucerne Ethics Advisory Board’ of the City of Lucerne.

Since 2014, he has been a Research Fellow at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein (South Africa). Since 2023, Peter G. Kirchschläger has been a visiting professor at the Chair of Neural Learning and Intelligent Systems at ETH Zurich and at the ETH AI Centre – one of the world’s largest centres for research in the field of AI and since 2024, he has been a visiting fellow at the Global Ethos Institute at the University of Tübingen (Germany). Prior to that, he was a Visiting Fellow at Yale University (USA) from 2015 to 2017.

He has received several awards from the UN for his research, and in 2024 he was presented with the University of Lucerne’s Best Teacher Award by the university’s students in recognition of his teaching.

Anyone who hears Peter G. Kirchschläger speak gains new perspectives on the major questions of our time – and valuable insights for a future in which innovation and responsibility go hand in hand.