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“AI with purpose”: A global call for ethical and human-centered Artificial Intelligence
A newly released edited book, ‘Artificial Intelligence for Ecology Health and Education’, published by Edward Elgar, delivers a timely and compelling message: Artificial Intelligence must be reimagined to serve humanity, sustainability, and the common good. Curated by Professor Margherita Pagani, Director of the SKEMA Centre for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), the book brings together 15 leading researchers from 13 prestigious institutions worldwide – including Babson College, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Southern California, Singapore Management University, the Wharton School, Católica Lisboa among others.
Professor Pagani explains that the volume was born from a desire to see AI as more than a technological advancement. It reflects the strategic mission of the SKEMA Center for Artificial Intelligence to promote interdisciplinary, responsible innovation that serves society’s most pressing needs. This collective work embodies a shared ambition: to redefine the role of AI as a force that is ethical, intentional, and impactful.
How does this book reflect the Scientific Mission of the SKEMA Centre for AI?
This book is both a tribute to our past efforts and a significant milestone in our ongoing journey. It builds on the foundation laid by two earlier volumes I co-edited, Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Value Creation (2021) and Artificial Intelligence for Business Creativity (2023). With this new edition, our goal was to expand the lens and offer a more comprehensive, human-centric vision of AI that directly addresses global challenges in sustainability, healthcare, and education.
These three pillars provide a clear and coherent framework for analyzing AI’s potential to address today’s most urgent societal challenges.
At the hearth of the SKEMA Center for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), which I have the pleasure of directing, is a guiding principle: “AI with Purpose”. This motto reflects our commitment to reorient AI research toward real-world value, for business, for society, and for individuals.
This book is the embodiment of that vision. It brings together diverse perspectives in a unified call for AI technologies that are not only intelligent, but also intentional, ethical, and aligned with societal benefit.
What was the process behind creating the book?
The journey began with a call for contributions, through a trusted international academic network. The response was enthusiastic and distinguished – 15 scholars from 13 leading institutions joined the initiative.
This is not a technical book. Rather, it presents a multidisciplinary exploration of how AI, when grounded in ethical principles, can become a force for global good. Each chapter features applied research, real-world case studies, interviews with business leaders, and empirical insights, offering a holistic view of AI’s role in ecology, health and education.
The book is structured into three parts. Why this division?
The structure pays tribute to the vision of my late colleague, Renaud Champion, whose insight helped shape the project’s direction. Before his untimely passing, Renaud had expressed his desire to frame a future book around three essential domains where AI could make the most meaningful impact: ecology, healthcare, and education.
We promote an AI guided by human wisdom, not one that seeks to replace it.
We stayed faithful to this vision. These three pillars provide a clear and coherent framework for analyzing AI’s potential to address today’s most urgent societal challenges. Each section explores the synergy between human and machine intelligence, brought to life through tangible examples – from climate modelling and patient care pathways to personalized learning systems.
In honoring his legacy, this structure reinforces the book’s central aim: to show how ethically guided AI can truly enhance the human condition.
What message are you hoping to convey through this book?
The core message is simple but powerful: Artificial Intelligence must remain a means, not an end. It should be a tool in service of ethical, sustainable, and human-centered goals.
Our objective is clear: to ensure the book’s message reaches far beyond academic circles. It speaks directly to business leaders, decision makers, and all those who believe in AI’s potential to be a force for good in society.
We promote an AI guided by human wisdom, not one that seeks to replace it. Our vision calls for thoughtful governance, responsible deployment, and a lasting focus on societal impact. AI must be developed with purpose, aligned with values that protect dignity, fairness, and the greater good.
This is the ethos of the SKEMA Center for Artificial Intelligence. What sets us apart is our belief that AI is not only a technological issue, it is a democratic one. It must involve inclusion, accountability, and a clear moral compass. This book is a call to action: to ensure that AI serves humanity, not the other way around.
Is a launch event planned?
Yes, we are proud to announce a public launch conference on 23 October (18:30-20:00) at SKEMA’s Grand Paris campus. The event is organized by the SKEMA Center for Artificial Intelligence, in collaboration with SKEMA Publika and with the support of Engie and the MIT Club France.
This gathering will bring together a diverse audience, researchers, corporate partners, students, and policymaker, for a lively exchange on the future of responsible, human-centered AI.
Our objective is clear: to ensure the book’s message reaches far beyond academic circles. It speaks directly to business leaders, decision makers, and all those who believe in AI’s potential to be a force for good in society.
