The Human Advantage: Leading, Deciding, and Thriving in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every aspect of business. Information has never been more abundant, computation more powerful, or technology more capable. Yet these advances raise an even more important question:

What will distinguish exceptional leaders and organizations when intelligence itself becomes increasingly commoditized?

Drawing on three decades of pioneering research in neuroscience, anthropology, and behavioral economics, Wharton Prof. Michael Platt argues that the greatest competitive advantage of the AI era will not come from technology alone — it will come from a deeper understanding of people. The organizations that flourish will be those that better understand how the human brain allocates attention, builds trust, fosters creativity, makes decisions under uncertainty, and adapts to constant change.

In this engaging and highly interactive session, Professor Platt will introduce a new framework for understanding leadership through the lens of the social brain, exploring why human connection, curiosity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are becoming more — not less — valuable in an increasingly automated world. Participants will leave with practical, neuroscience-grounded strategies for improving individual performance, strengthening teams, and building healthier organizational cultures.

The session will also connect with several of Wharton Neuroscience's newest evidence-based "Nano Tools," including how to harness chronobiology to optimize timing and performance, strengthen trust through eye contact and social attention, and cultivate creativity by creating the right neural conditions for insight and innovation.

Whether you are leading a team, building an organization, or simply trying to thrive in a rapidly changing world, this session offers a fresh perspective on one of the defining questions of our time:

As artificial intelligence becomes more powerful, how do we become more deeply — and more effectively — human?

Links to Nano Tools:

1. The Science of Perfect Timing: Using Chronobiology (Knowledge at Wharton, June 2026)

2. Look Them in the Eye: Strengthen Teams and Trust (Knowledge at Wharton, November 2025)

3. Brainwaves to Breakthroughs: Foster a Creative Culture (Knowledge at Wharton, June 2025)