Global Ethics Forum in Bali Highlights AI Ethics and Human Dignity
Denpasar (ANTARA) – The Global Ethics Forum (GEF), a cross-sector international platform meeting in Bali, highlighted the importance of ethical responsibility in developing artificial intelligence (AI) so that technological progress continues to uphold human dignity.
In his opening address at the Global Ethics Forum 2026 in Sanur, Denpasar, on Wednesday, Globethics President Dietrich Werner said the accelerating pace of technological development must be matched by people’s ability to manage it responsibly.
“There is a widening gap between the unprecedented technological capabilities we are acquiring and our still insufficient ethical capacity to govern them responsibly,” Werner said.
He said artificial intelligence, digital technology and automation had expanded humanity’s ability to transform the world.
But that progress had also raised fundamental questions about the purpose of life, justice, dignity and human responsibility.
Werner said the shared challenge was to balance technological progress with greater ethical responsibility, ensuring that innovation did not disregard human interests.
“Technology must serve people, rather than define them according to the logic of technology,” he said.
He said technological development required consideration of who benefited and who risked being left behind or bearing the negative effects of digital transformation.
Technology governance, therefore, should consider not only technical aspects and economic opportunities, but also social consequences and the effects on people’s lives.
Werner also underlined the importance of contributions from religious, spiritual and ethical traditions in addressing the challenges of modern technology.
He said these traditions could help societies preserve fundamental questions about the meaning of life, the limits of power and responsibility to future generations.
He cited ideas from Christian, Hindu and Islamic traditions, all of which emphasise respect for human dignity and responsibility towards nature.
Werner invoked the principle that people should retain their humanity amid the development of artificial intelligence.
He also linked this value to the view that the balance of the universe must be protected for the survival of all living beings.
These values, he said, showed that innovation and ethical wisdom should not be set against one another, but should go hand in hand to create a more responsible future.
The Global Ethics Forum 2026 brought together participants from Indonesia and other countries, including diplomats, academics, practitioners, business representatives, government officials, technology-sector representatives, civil society groups, religious leaders and ethnic communities.
The forum addressed how responsible governance could support human flourishing in an increasingly fragmented world.
Werner said he hoped the forum would provide space for critical reflection and cross-sector dialogue, encouraging governance that ensures technology supports humanity, the economy serves the common good and justice is part of development.