News update Kara Bombell on AI: practical, people-first advice for leaders by KARA BOMBELL - COFOUNDER OF ETHICAI - EthicAi’s founder, Kara Bombell, emphasises a human-centred approach to AI, focusing on ethical governance and the future of work shaped by uniquely human skills. She highlights the importance of thoughtful leadership to harness AI’s benefits while avoiding risks like job loss and ethical issues.  I’ve always seen my career as a jungle gym, climbing from film and television into the fast-moving world of digital technology, advertising, and eventually senior operational roles. My passion has always been at the intersection of technology and social change, and it was this drive that led me to found EthicAi. I wanted to put humans at the centre of the AI conversation, not just chase profit. Why EthicAi, and why now The inspiration for EthicAi came from MIT’s research on human-first skills in AI-augmented workforces and Rutger Bregman’s “Moral Ambition.” These influences pushed me to leap into a space where social impact matters most. Seeing global momentum up close Recently, I attended the Global AI Impact Summit in India as part of the Australian delegation. It was a remarkable gathering of AI leaders, politicians, and researchers, all focused on how technology and governance will shape society. I was proud to see Australia recognised for its leadership in AI safety, especially the work of our E-Safety Commissioner on child safety and digital governance. Our proactive approach to regulation and digital public infrastructure is making waves internationally. What “agentic AI” means in plain language Agentic AI (systems that act autonomously) are changing the game. Unlike traditional automation, their behaviour isn’t deterministic, meaning they don’t always respond the same way every time. This is why governance frameworks must evolve. We need to focus on defensible decision-making and sensible error tolerance, not just rigid controls. The future of work is more human, not less The future of work is shifting. We must move away from transactional, repetitive tasks and lean into uniquely human skills: empathy, critical thinking, creativity, and ethical judgment. At EthicAi, we use MIT’s EPOCH framework (Empathy, Presence, Opinion, Creativity, Hope, Vision) to help individuals and organisations future-proof their roles. AI will automate the admin, but it will also augment and reshape jobs, creating opportunities for higher-value, human-centric work. Using AI well (and avoiding the race to the bottom) But there are risks. Using AI solely for cost-cutting is a race to the bottom. It erodes strategic advantage and brand reputation. I’ve seen tech companies cite AI as the reason for mass layoffs, but often the real issue is a lack of vision and resilience in their business models. Ethical oversight is crucial, especially in sensitive areas like AI-driven hiring, to prevent bias and ensure fairness. What’s at stake with AI governance If we get AI governance wrong, we risk mass job loss, tearing apart the social fabric, and facing ethical crises, such as the misuse of AI in harmful content moderation. But if we get it right, AI can improve productivity, reduce trauma in difficult jobs, and deliver real societal benefits. I saw this firsthand in India, where agentic systems are transforming agriculture and livelihoods. A thoughtful path forward As leaders, we must think beyond immediate gains. Our legacy will be shaped by how we integrate AI into society, whether we prioritise human flourishing or short-term cost savings. People will remember which organisations took a thoughtful approach and which ones moved too quickly without a clear plan. The choices we make now will help shape what comes next.   About Kara Bombell Kara Bombell is a strategic operations leader and the founder of EthicAi, that blends sharp operational insight with deep people strategy to create workplaces that are data led, ethical, and energised for what’s next. She argues that leaders must adopt a people‑first approach to AI -one that places human judgment, ethics and creativity at its heart rather than chasing efficiency or cost‑cutting. Anticipating risk in a world that won't wait Next article