Power Without Conscience? AI and the Leadership Test: Key takeaways

AІ is developing at a pace that exceeds the ability  of legislation and regulatory frameworks to keep up. What does this mean for business, and what steps should be taken today? These questions were at the center of discussions during an event held on the margins of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

On September 26, the UN Global Compact Ukraine hosted the event “Power Without Conscience? AI and the Leadership Test.” The event took place as part of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, an annual global event that brings together heads of state, international organizations, civil society, and business leaders from around the world to address contemporary challenges.

The UN Global Compact Ukraine convened business leaders for an expert dialogue on the responsible and effective integration of artificial intelligence into business processes.

The event was supported by SPP Development Ukraine, EPAM Systems, and Aurora Multimarket.

The discussion was moderated by Tetiana Sakharuk, Executive Director of the UNGC Ukraine, Chair for the Regional Network Council for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the UN Global Compact:

“Every day, humanity generates enormous volumes of data, and AI is learning to process it at remarkable pace. Experts estimate that AI’s information-processing capacity doubles every seven months. This is more than a technological breakthrough as it marks a profound transformation in the way we communicate, work, and make decisions.

AI capabilities are expanding at an unprecedented speed, yet ethical standards and regulatory systems remain fragmented and insufficient.

That is why the UN Global Compact in Ukraine initiated this dialogue. Our mission is to define what responsible leadership looks like in this new technological era and to identify the concrete steps needed to integrate AI safely, transparently, and ethically.”

Alex Chudner, Director, ESG, Social Impact and Inclusion at EPAM Systems, spoke about how AI is reshaping business and the challenges it creates for leaders.

EPAM Systems surveyed more than 7,000 large companies across nine countries. The findings showed that 49% consider themselves advanced in AI adoption. Businesses identified their top AI priorities as boosting productivity, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving customer experience, with profitabiity ranking only sixth. 

Notably, 14% of companies plan to increase AI investments in the next year, and 43% intend to expand AI hiring in 2025.

Despite this optimistic scenario, AI presents a dual reality: it unlocks creativity and allocates time for strategic thinking, but it also raises employee concerns about job security. Alex Chudner stressed that leaders must foster a culture of ethical and safe AI adoption, support their teams through technological transitions, and invest in upskilling and development.

Taras Panasenko, Co-Founder and CEO of Aurora Multimarket, shared how his company uses AI to serve more than 1 million daily customers across 1,700 stores. 

Aurora has integrated an AI shopping assistant into its mobile app to streamline purchases, check product availability via voice search, and allow remote reservations. Internally, AI helps forecast restocking needs, monitor shelf availability with computer vision, and enhance recruitment processes.

To mitigate risks, Aurora prioritizes GDPR compliance and safeguards against data leaks, which is especially vital during wartime and frequent cyberattacks. The company has also embedded an “AI Policies and Rules” section into its Code of Conduct, trains all employees in basic AI tools, and commits to inclusive AI practices.

Nikoloz Kobakhidze, Founder and CEO of THE Crossroads, emphasized that while AI creates opportunities, SMEs and startups face particular risks.

THE Crossroads platform was designed to help small businesses develop in-house competencies, invest in their teams, and turn risks into opportunities. Nikolaz Kobakhidze highlighted the power of partnerships between startups and large companies, citing successful collaborations with Israeli firms where small-scale innovations scaled rapidly through corporate alliances.

Giorgi Khabashvili, Chairperson of the Retail Association of Georgia, noted that SMEs often face two main barriers in adopting AI: lack of expertise and limited budgets. 

Without clear guidance, companies struggle to prioritize which processes to automate, while constrained resources force them to find more creative adoption models. Business associations, he stressed, play a vital role in creating collaborative spaces for shared AI initiatives, turning competition into collective growth.

Irakli Beridze, Head of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at UNICRI (United Nations), warned of the risks of Artificial General Intelligence, which could surpass human intelligence within 5–10 years. 

Without global governance mechanisms, humanity may lose control of AI development. He underscored the urgency of establishing a global governance system with strong verification tools to ensure safe and accountable AI use, both politically and technologically.

Tijana Koprivica, Chief Business Sustainability Officer at Delta Holding, a Serbian company operating in agriculture, food production, distribution, automotive, real estate, and new technologies, spoke about the use of AI to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Using Delta Holding as an example, she demonstrated how integrating AI into core business areas creates competitive advantages through more responsible and resource-efficient practices:

• Agriculture. Sensors, drones, and satellite imagery enable precise field monitoring and optimized irrigation, preserving soil and water resources while boosting productivity.
• Sustainable production. Drone-enabled precision application of crop protection products reduces chemical use, improves product quality, and minimizes environmental impact.
• Distribution and logistics. AI helps optimize supply chains, forecast demand, and manage inventories, reducing waste, fuel costs, and emissions while enhancing business resilience.

Aizhan Balabatyrova, Founder of Diffuzio Tech, presented her AI platform designed to strengthen employer branding through content creation.

AI, she argued, should be a tool that amplifies teams rather than replaces them. 

In today’s world, employee personal branding is a critical corporate resource. Brands are built not only by top management and marketing but also by employees who share their experiences.

Diffuzio Tech enables companies to generate such content by adapting to the style, expertise, and experience of each employee. The platform automates publication processes and creates Employee-Generated Content (EGC), which carries higher trust than traditional advertising, as people are more likely to believe authentic career stories. As Aizhan Balabatyrova noted, when employees develop their personal brands, they simultaneously strengthen the employer’s brand, giving companies a new communication channel.

The discussion concluded with a key message: AI offers immense benefits for business, but without clear governance frameworks, it can also become a dangerous tool. The future of AI depends on how quickly companies learn how to balance innovation with responsible leadership.

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