The Human Side of AI: Inclusion, Equity, and the Future of Society

​As AI increasingly shapes economies, governance, and daily life, the question is no longer just what AI can do—but who it serves and who it leaves behind. This session will explore how we can center human perspectives in AI development, ensuring that inclusive, local knowledge informs AI systems rather than reinforcing existing inequalities.

How can we scale human feedback to make AI more representative of the Global Majority? Will AI democratize opportunities in education, healthcare, and livelihoods, or will it deepen the digital divide? How can AI be designed to advance sustainability, democracy, and justice, rather than concentrating power and resources in a few hands?

Through an interactive discussion, we’ll examine the role of human agency in AI’s future—how people, not just algorithms, can drive AI’s impact for good.

Key Questions:

• ​How do we integrate inclusive, local knowledge into AI development at scale?

• ​Will AI bridge or widen the digital divide in the Global Majority?

• ​How can AI be leveraged to advance sustainability, democracy, and social justice?

• ​What risks and opportunities does AI present for historically marginalized communities?

• ​What governance and ethical frameworks are needed to ensure AI benefits society as a whole?

​This session will provide space for critical reflection on AI’s societal impact, ensuring that technology is shaped by diverse voices and built for inclusive progress.

​Session Co-Leaders:

• ​Alesha Miller – Chief Strategy Officer at Digital Green, leading strategic initiatives to enhance agricultural sustainability and technology-driven impact.

• ​Beatrice Erkers – Program Director of Existential Hope at Foresight Institute, fostering discussions on technology’s role in shaping a positive future.

• ​Evan Paul – Senior Director of Innovation for Nature at Salesforce, leveraging digital innovation to drive environmental impact and participatory marine conservation planning.

• ​Samina Bano – Founder & CEO of RightWalk Foundation, a public policy entrepreneur pioneering AI-driven impact and equity-based systemic reforms in education, skilling, and health.

• ​Sarah Lucas – Global Lead at DataDelta within IDinsight, advancing data-driven decision-making in the social sector to center people in impactful policy and program development.