Hybrid intelligence: Balancing human agency and AI innovation for a smarter future

The International Day of Education 2025 shined a spotlight on the intersection of artificial and natural intelligence, calling for a balanced approach that safeguards human agency while harnessing the transformative potential of AI. As AI systems increasingly reflect the values and intentions of their creators, the day emphasized the importance of fostering both AI literacy and human-centered intelligence to ensure technology amplifies humanity’s highest aspirations rather than exacerbating societal inequalities.

The central premise: AI systems reflect and amplify the data, intentions, and behaviors of their human creators, making it crucial to understand and cultivate natural intelligence alongside artificial intelligence.

• The concept of “values in, values out” could replace “garbage in, garbage out” as a guiding principle for AI development
• AI’s effectiveness depends on being anchored in humanity’s highest aspirations, empathy, and ethical wisdom
• The challenge lies in ensuring AI amplifies human potential rather than deepening societal inequities

Understanding natural intelligence: Natural intelligence operates as a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses both individual and collective aspects.

• Individual dimensions include aspirations, emotions, thoughts, and sensations
• Collective dimensions span from individual contributions to community networks, national identities, and global environmental challenges
• These dimensions must be considered when designing AI systems that serve the common good

Educational imperatives: The future workforce requires a dual focus on natural and artificial intelligence literacy.

• Critical thinking and adaptive problem-solving remain essential skills according to the World Economic Forum
• Natural intelligence literacy focuses on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and moral reasoning
• Algorithmic literacy provides understanding of coding basics, data fluency, and awareness of algorithmic biases

Governance and accountability: Maintaining human agency in an AI-driven world requires careful consideration of several factors.

• Transparent, explainable AI systems are essential for preserving individual autonomy
• Multi-stakeholder governance involving policymakers, academia, industry leaders, and ethicists is crucial
• Environmental considerations, including AI’s energy demands, must be addressed through sustainable solutions

Looking ahead: The hybrid intelligence imperative: The future success of AI integration depends on fostering collaboration between human cognition and artificial capabilities.

• Cross-border research and inclusive educational initiatives ensure diverse perspectives in AI development
• Partnerships between various disciplines can help bridge the gap between computational logic and human understanding
• Success requires active engagement in shaping technology rather than passive acceptance
• The concept of hybrid intelligence represents a path forward that integrates AI while preserving human consciousness and agency