The study aims to analyse and compare efficiency-oriented and sustainability-oriented governance approaches. It further examines the role of human-centred leadership in organisations in fostering sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance.
The study draws on findings from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) report and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) principles to conceptually analyse the gaps between efficiency-oriented and sustainability-oriented AI governance. It also examines how human-centred leadership can bridge these gaps to strengthen sustainable decision-making in organisations.
AI adoption is increasing among organisations in line with OECD principles, but governance arrangements are inadequate for sustainable AI governance, that is, balancing innovation with accountability and responsibility.
The study proposes a Leadership-Mediated Sustainable AI Governance Transformation Framework to provide a more analytically grounded understanding of sustainable AI governance systems.
The study highlights the need for organisations to strengthen leadership capabilities, governance resilience, accountability integration, and sustainability-oriented oversight alongside AI expansion.
Parashar, R., Panchagnula, V. and Patel, C. R. (2026): Human-Centred Leadership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Balancing AI 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.