Human-Centred Leadership in the Age of AI: Balancing Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence for Sustainable Decision-Making, Rupali Parashar, Venkata Manjula P, Chirag Patel
Rupali Parashar
DBA Research Scholar, Rushford Business School
Switzerland
ORCID: 0009-0003-0227-3651
Venkata Naga Manjula P
IBS Hyderabad, IFHE Foundation
India
ORCID: 0000-0002-6695-7572
Chirag Rasikbhai Patel
Faculty of Management Studies, Sankalchand Patel University, Visnagar
Gujarat
India
ORCID: 0000-0003-4788-0749
DOI: 10.47556/B.OUTLOOK2026.24.1
Received: 2026 / Revised: 2026 / Accepted: 2026 / Published: 2026
Purpose: In the era of changes and artificial intelligence, maintaining good leadership becomes difficult. This study explores the role of human-centred leadership in balancing artificial intelligence (AI) and human intelligence to achieve sustainable decision-making in contemporary organisations. The paper aims to examine how leadership can integrate AI-driven efficiency with human judgment, ethical reasoning, and sustainability-oriented thinking.
Methodology: The study adopts a qualitative, conceptual research design based on secondary data derived from the UNESCO report analysing 3000 companies and their use of responsible AI. The report was purposively selected due to its relevance to global policy, multidisciplinary perspective, and emphasis on human-centred AI governance. A systematic document analysis approach shall be employed to ensure transparency and rigour. The analysis followed a three-stage process, including data familiarisation involving an in-depth review of the report to identify sections related to leadership, ethics, sustainability, and AI governance; thematic coding where key concepts and recurring patterns were extracted and categorized using inductive coding framework, and finally theme development where codes will be synthesised into broader analytical themes such as human-centred AI, ethical leadership responsibility, and sustainability integration.
Findings: The findings indicate that while AI enhances accuracy, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making, it lacks ethical sensitivity, contextual understanding, and emotional intelligence. Human-centred AI ensures that technological systems align with human values, accountability, and long-term sustainability in decision-making processes. Further, leadership responsibility plays a mediating role in transparently aligning AI applications with sustainability goals. Insights from UNESCO emphasise that unregulated AI adoption may lead to environmental strain, ethical risks, and social inequalities if not guided by sustainability integration.
Originality: The paper highlights the need for organisations to develop leadership capabilities that combine AI literacy with ethical awareness and sustainability orientation. It recommends the adoption of governance frameworks that ensure transparency, accountability, and human-in-the-loop decision-making.
Implications: This study contributes to the emerging landscape on AI and sustainability by positioning leadership as a critical link between artificial intelligence and human intelligence.
Keywords: Leadership; Artificial Intelligence; Sustainability; Decision Making; Human Centred.
Citation: Parashar, R., Manjula P, V. and Patel, C. (2026): Human-Centred Leadership in the Age of AI: Balancing Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence for Sustainable Decision-Making. In Ahmed, A. (Ed.): World Sustainable Development Outlook 2026, Vol. 22, pp. xx-xx. WASD: London, United Kingdom.