Global Ethics Forum 2026 Held in Bali's Sanur, Discussing Ethical Responsibility in the AI Era
The Global Ethics Forum 2026 was held in Sanur, Denpasar, Bali, bringing together diplomats, academics, business representatives, and religious leaders from Indonesia and abroad to discuss the ethical responsibilities needed to ensure AI and technological progress respect human dignity.
According to ANTARA News, the Global Ethics Forum (GEF), a cross-sector global platform, was held in the Sanur area of Denpasar, Bali. In his opening address at GEF 2026 on Wednesday, Globethics President Dietrich Werner said that rapid technological development must be matched by humanity's capacity to manage it responsibly.
Werner noted a widening gap between the unprecedented technological capacity humanity now possesses and the ethical capacity needed to govern it responsibly. He explained that artificial intelligence, digital technology, and automation have expanded humanity's ability to transform the world, but this progress also raises fundamental questions about the purpose of life, justice, dignity, and human responsibility.
"Technology must serve humans, not define humans according to its own logic," Werner said. He argued that technological development must consider who benefits and who may be left behind or bear negative impacts from digital transformation, meaning governance of technology must account for social consequences and effects on human life, not just technical and economic opportunities.
Werner also emphasized the importance of contributions from religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions in addressing modern technological challenges, citing Christian, Hindu, and Islamic teachings that share an emphasis on respect for human dignity and responsibility toward nature.
The forum brought together diplomats, academics, practitioners, business and government representatives, tech sector figures, civil society members, religious leaders, and ethnic group representatives from Indonesia and various countries, focusing discussion on how responsible governance can support human development amid an increasingly fragmented world.
Things to Consider
This forum does not impose any direct regulations or restrictions on tourists or residents in Bali. However, visitors interested in international conferences and cultural exchange may find it worthwhile to follow events like this held in Sanur, as they reflect Bali's growing role as a hub for global intellectual dialogue. Digital nomads working in tech or AI-related fields may want to keep an eye on future developments, as discussions like this could eventually influence local policy conversations around technology ethics.
Source: ANTARA News Bali