In this interview, Prof. Yoo shares why technology and business leaders carry a responsibility to shape the world wisely, why innovation must be ethical, and how TaSIC creates a space for future leaders to prepare for complex challenges.
Highlights from his talk: Why diverse perspectives change the way we think How technology and business are world-shaping forces Why wise innovation is not optional but essential The inspiration he found at SPJIMR and TaSIC 2025
Explore Prof. Yoo’s perspectives on why TaSIC is a must-attend forum for those working at the intersection of technology, innovation, and social impact.
00:00Well, I think through this kind of conferences and conversations that take place, we inform each other.
00:08Scholars and practitioners and students can come together and learn from each other.
00:13I was impressed by the diverse voices that are curated at this particular conference.
00:22So it gives us a chance to think about aspects of the problems that we would not normally think about.
00:29So, you know, I think having this kind of forum of conversation with diverse voices and perspectives are incredibly important to prepare future leaders who will deal with very complex problems.
00:46Well, number one, we are living in an age that is defined by technology.
00:52I don't think there is anything that we do and touch that is not affected by technology.
00:58And business is, I believe, one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful world shaping force.
01:07So, and these technologies are now being produced and used by businesses, business organizations.
01:15So the leaders of these business organizations should think about their mission not as simply making profits and maximizing profits, but as a world shaping force.
01:30They are the one who is shaping the quality of life.
01:33The product that we create affects people, whether good or bad, in a way that they have far more power than governments or other types of organizations.
01:44So it is incredibly important for me that these business leaders understand the degree of influence that they have and the degree to which the technology is integrated into their business.
02:01These two forces are fundamental forces that shape the way we live today's world.
02:10So they should have a responsibility of shaping it in the right way so that we can leave the world a better place than the way we found them.
02:18So I think it is almost, in a way, a moral imperative for these people to do so.
02:25And given the, like I said, given the way technology and business is integrated, it is almost impossible not to think about technology.
02:34And, you know, part of my message today was that technology is not neutral, value neutral, and technology design choice that people make in designing technology is never value neutral.
02:51So people need to understand, the business leaders must understand, the design choice of technology cannot be simply, you know, delegated to technology leaders in an organization.
03:02You cannot leave to the engineers, like design my system better, and then I will deal with the rest of the problem.
03:09It is one of the most crucial problems that leaders, senior leaders of organizations, must embrace and deal with.
03:16Otherwise, I think they are neglecting their responsibilities.
03:22So this is first time coming to Mumbai.
03:25I have been to India before, you know, the first time being at SPJMR.
03:30I was impressed by the vibrancy of the city and the campus.
03:35A lot of young people, you know, excitement about technology and the idea of integrating business and wisdom and technology to address complex social challenges, creating new entrepreneurial ecosystem.
03:50I think those were very impressive.
03:53Also, I had a chance to meet with young high school students who are trained by a program that is affiliated with SPJMR.
04:04And, you know, deeply touching experience, their, you know, hope for the future, their aspiration.
04:10One student I met said he wants to be a pilot and, you know, and so on and so forth.
04:16And so, yeah, it was my overall impression is, you know, city and institution that is packed with excitement and hope for the future.
04:27I would suggest that, you know, taking this, you know, wisdom or wise innovation seriously.
04:36I think it is not an idea that is nice to have.
04:40It is not a sort of tangential preferred idea.
04:43I think it is going to be an important key sort of technological trend that I think we will see.
04:50Given all the complaints that we hear about technology companies, tech platforms, if you can distinguish yourself as a, you know, leader and organization that design, deliver and use, provide technology that is ethically designed and leading people to make wise life choices, that will distinguish yourself.
05:14So I think it is a good business decision.
05:16You don't have to do it because you want to be a good citizen, which is important.
05:20But I think it will create a business opportunity if you actually embrace it in a serious way.
Be the first to comment