Artificial intelligence (AI) will profoundly reshape the economy and businesses in the coming years, demanding more human leadership and judgment than ever before. This was a key takeaway from the International Seminar organized by San Telmo Business School, which brought together over a hundred presidents, CEOs, and senior executives from around the globe in Seville.
Over three days, participants analyzed major global business challenges, including management strategies across continents, internationalization, leadership in the AI era, global talent management, corporate ownership models, governance, and family business succession. The event, sponsored by Unicaja, established Seville as a hub for international business debate.
Prominent figures such as Peter Brabeck-Letmathe (former Chairman of Nestlé), Juvencio Maeztu (CEO of Ingka Group/Ikea), Javier Ferrán (Chairman of IAG), José Sevilla (Chairman of Unicaja), Pilar Manchón (Director of AI Research Strategy at Google), Lidan Qi (CEO and Founder of Puente China España), and Ana Pastor (former President of the Congress of Deputies) participated in the sessions.
“"Artificial intelligence will mark a profound transformation of the economy and businesses. However, the future will continue to require leadership, judgment, and human values to properly guide the use of technology. Sustainability must be integrated into the business model as a source of competitiveness."
Peter Brabeck-Letmathe warned about economic, social, and technological asymmetries that AI could exacerbate if not governed by individuals with the necessary values. Luis Conde, Executive Chairman of Seeliger y Conde, emphasized that talent is a combination of knowledge, values, and attitude, highlighting commitment and humility.
Antonio Vázquez, former President of Iberia, reflected on aligning objectives and motivations between chairmen and CEOs. Pilar Manchón showcased recent AI advancements for optimizing routes, reducing emissions, and accelerating biomedical discoveries, advocating for human principles in the face of rapid technological evolution.
Participants agreed that adaptability is a key strategic competence. "In a context marked by geopolitical uncertainty, technological acceleration, and increasing market complexity, companies need more agile structures and a greater capacity for rapid decision-making," explained Picamill.
The seminar also stressed the importance of leadership based on service, example-setting, humility, and people development, reinforcing corporate culture as a competitive differentiator. Discussions on sustainability, boards of directors, business succession, and ownership structures highlighted the need for robust, value-generating, and enduring institutions.
