AI is a hot conversation topic inside and outside business, particularly speculation around the speed, scale and depth of impact across our economy and society. The transformative power of the technology is becoming clear, but what is perhaps less clear is what we want it to achieve. In the rush to adopt AI quickly, cut costs, and stay competitive, many companies are understandably asking “how can this technology improve efficiency?”. We are interested in a different framing of the question for companies:  “how can this technology serve human flourishing and societal good?”

The economic forces that shaped social media offer a cautionary tale: what started as a tool for connection was pulled toward addiction and outrage by short-term incentives, ultimately eroding the trust and community it promised to build. We need businesses and leaders who can resist this gravitational pull toward extraction and chart a more purposeful course—one where AI becomes a genuine force for good rather than just another efficiency play.

We’ve put together a one-page framework of questions to help catalyze conversations at Board level and beyond, based on inputs from our network of large businesses, investors, academics and advisors. A framework for using AI – booklet – draft . As a charity, all our work is open access, and we’re publishing the framework now in the hope it might be useful, inviting feedback so it can become even more so. 

We believe we are entering a critical stage where decisions made now will fundamentally affect the future direction of this transformational technology and its ability to enhance, or diminish, human flourishing. It seems like a good time to be asking some important questions and thinking hard about the answers.

Sarah Gillard, CEO, A Blueprint for Better Business